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  • 1. What is the IPPC?
  • 2. What are International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs)?
  • 3. Functions of the IPPC
  • 4. IPPC Bodies Involved in the Standard Setting Process
  • 5. Steps in Developing ISPMs
  • 6. ISPMs and the NPPO
  • 7. Module Conclusion
• Topics
  • 1. Developing Topics for Standards
  • 2. Drafting Standards
  • 3. Reviewing Standards
  • 4. Adopting and Publishing Standards
  • 5. ISPM 15 – A Real World Example
  • 6. Lesson Case Study
  • 7. Lesson Summary
  • 8. Lesson Assessment
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Lesson 5: Steps in Developing ISPMs

Topic 3: Reviewing Standards

Stage 3: Review of Standards and Member Consultation

IPPC members are provided two opportunities to comment on draft standards before they are presented to the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) for adoption. The two comment periods are the “member comment period” and the “substantial-concerns comment period”. Let us take a closer look at this process.

Following clearance by the Standards Committee, the IPPC Secretariat sends the draft standard to contracting parties and a few selected organizations for review and comment. Typically, no more than five standards are sent for members to review at one time.

During the “member comment period”, which takes place between May and October, members are invited to make substantive, technical, editorial, or translational comments on the standards. Comments are submitted through the IPPC contact point, using the IPPC Online Comment System (OCS).

The SC-7 and the SC revise the draft standard based on comments received from member countries.

The revised standard is then posted on the IPP for review during a “substantial-concerns comment period”. Member countries are invited to comment on issues that they believe were not fully addressed during the initial member comment period. This brief commenting period is the last opportunity for members to identify substantial concerns on draft ISPMs.

The stewards and SC consider any substantial concerns when revising the draft ISPMs. Once the SC has completed its revisions and recommends the draft ISPM to the CPM, there is no longer an opportunity to re-draft or revise ISPMs. The ISPM then advances to CPM meeting.

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