Lesson 5: Steps in Developing ISPMs

Topic 4: Adopting and Publishing Standards

Standards are adopted by the CPM at its annual meeting. Once they are adopted, standards are published in the official languages of the FAO.

Objectives:

  • Describe the standards adoption process
  • Describe the standards revision process
Stage 4: Adoption and Publication of Standards

Stage 4

Standards are presented to the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures at its annual meeting for adoption. Once the CPM formally adopts an ISPM, the Secretariat arranges to have it translated into all official languages of the FAO, including English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic.

Adopted standards are then published on the IPPC website. They may be downloaded here.

Revision of Standards

It might be necessary to revise an ISPM after it is adopted, in case there are changes in science, technology, or phytosanitary practices, or to make things clear. Revision of a standard is proposed through the “call for topics” and, once accepted by CPM, proceeds through the remaining stages of standards development.

  1. Developing topics for standards
  2. Drafting standards
  3. Member consultation
  4. Adoption and publication
Potential Changes to the Standard Setting Process

In 2011, a Focus Group met to discuss ways of improving the IPPC standards-setting process. The group identified many recommendations for streamlining the process. These recommendations are currently under consideration and could result in future changes to the process. For example, recommendations relating to topics for ISPMs include: countries that recommend topics for standards would be required to include a draft specification to secure the support of other NPPOs for the topic and to demonstrate how the standard complies with IPPC strategic objectives.

After standards are adopted by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures, they are published in the official languages of the FAO: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic. Revisions to adopted standards follow the same stages as development of new standards. The standard-setting process might be streamlined in the future to be consistent with recommendations from a 2011 focus group.

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