1. IPPC Standard Setting Process
IPPC Regional Workshops
-2014-

2. Standards Committee (SC)
25 members from 7 FAO regions
Near East (4)
Europe (4)
Latin America & Caribbean (4)
Asia (4)
Africa (4)
North America (2)
SC-7
SC info and SC membership list available on IPP:
IPPC Standard Setting Procedure Manual:
Southwest
Pacific (3)

3. Standards Committee (SC)
Oversees the standard setting process
Approves draft ISPMs for member consultation, reviews member comments
Group of 25 international experts / 7 FAO regions
Meets twice a year (May and November)
Takes some decisions through electronic means
Standard Setting Process was largely modified by the CPM-7 (2012).
Following a new process now
Change in 2012: no more drafting of standards / evening sessions at CPM.
Next revision of the Standard Setting process: CPM-11 (2016)
7 FAO regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, LA and Caribbean, Near East, North America, Pacific.
May SC usually reviews the standards that have been drafted by EWGs for approval for member consultation
Then member consultation among IPPC members through OCS
Nov SC: finalize the drafts for presentation to CPM for adoption

4. Standard setting work programme
36 adopted ISPMs (plus some annexes, e.g. 4 diagnostic protocols, 15 phytosanitary treatments)
Over 80 topics or subjects at various stages of development on the work programme
Standards can have:
supplements: conceptual information that is supplemental to the standard, it provides additional text without changing the main text of the standard. It is an official part of the standard and is prescriptive. Text from supplements can be integrated in the standard
annexes: they add technical info to a standard. It is an official part of the standard and is prescriptive. Text in the annex should not affect the principles incorporated in the primary standard. It does not normally include conceptual information relevant for the standard. They may provide technical guidelines for phytosanitary treatments or procedures. They may include tables and figures
appendixes provide references or further information relevant to the standard. They are not an official part of the standard and are not prescriptive. For info/reference only.
List of topics for IPPC Standards:

5. The IPPC Standard Setting Process
Stage 4
Adoption and Publication
Stage 3
Member consultation for draft ISPMs
Stage 2
Drafting
Stage 1
Developing the List of Topics
The process for the development of ISPMs is divided into four stages and 8 steps. The 4 stages are:
- Stage 1: Developing the IPPC standard setting work programme
- Stage 2: Drafting
- Stage 3: Member consultation for draft ISPMs
Stage 4: Adoption and publication
Note: The procedures and criteria for identifying topics for inclusion in the List of topics for IPPC standards were adopted in 2002 and revised in 2008 and 2012.

6. Stage 1: Developing the List of topics
Members
Submit topics SC
Revises the List of topics and recommends it to the CPM
CPM
Adjusts and adopts the List of topics
Step 1
Step 2
Stage 1: Developing the List of topics for IPPC standards
Step 1: Call for topics
The IPPC Secretariat makes a call for topics every two years. IPPC members and Technical Panels (TPs) submit detailed proposals for new topics or for the revision of existing ISPMs to the IPPC Secretariat.
The Standards Committee (SC), taking into account the IPPC Strategic Framework (see ANNEX 2) and the Criteria for justification and prioritization of proposed topics, reviews the existing List of topics for IPPC standards and the compiled list of proposed topics. The SC recommends a revised List of topics for IPPC standards (including subjects), adding topics from the compiled list, deleting or modifying topics in the existing List of topics for IPPC standards as appropriate, giving each topic a recommended priority.
Step 2: Adjustment and adoption of the List of topics for IPPC standards
The CPM reviews the List of topics for IPPC standards recommended by the SC. The CPM adjusts and adopts the List of topics for IPPC standards, including assigning a priority for each topic. A revised List of topics for IPPC standards is made available.
In any year, when a situation arises in which an ISPM is required urgently, the CPM may insert such a topic into the List of topics for IPPC standards.

7. Step 3: Development of a specification
Stage 2: Drafting
Step 3: Development of a specification
Assigns a steward and reviews and approves the draft specification for member consultation SC
Submits comments on the draft specification: Member Consultation on draft specifications
Note: The next consultation period for draft specifications:  20 December February 2015.
Members
Approves the specification
Stage 2: Drafting
Step 3: Development of a specification
The SC reviews the draft specification. The SC should endeavour to approve draft specifications for member consultation at the SC meeting following the CPM meeting when new topics have been added to the List of topics for IPPC standards.
The length of member consultation for draft specifications is 60 days. The IPPC contact point submits comments to the Secretariat using the IPPC Online Comment System (OCS).
The specification is revised and approved by the SC and made publicly available.
Member consultation on draft specifications webpage on IPP:
The IPPC Secretariat is using the IPPC Online Comment System (OCS) for submitting comments on draft specifications and draft ISPMs for member consultation and for the substantial concerns commenting period. The IPPC OCS is located at: ocs.ippc.int/index.html.

8. Step 4: Preparation of a draft ISPM
Stage 2: Drafting
Step 4: Preparation of a draft ISPM
Drafts or revises the draft ISPM and recommends it to the SC
EDG*
Reviews and approves the draft ISPM for MC SC
*EDG = Expert drafting groups:
EWG: 1 topic, 1 meeting, 1 draft ISPM
Five Technical Panels (TPs) with ongoing work. TPs on:
Phytosanitary Treatments (TPPT)
Diagnostic Protocols (TPDP)
Forest Quarantine (TPFQ)
Fruit Flies, pest free areas, and areas of low pest prevalence (TPFF)
Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms (TPG)
Stage 2: Drafting
Step 4: Preparation of a draft ISPM
Preparation of a draft ISPM
-An expert drafting group (EDG, which can be either an expert working group (EWG) or a technical panel (TP)) drafts or revises the draft ISPM in accordance with the relevant specification.
-The resulting draft ISPM is recommended to the SC.
-This procedure refers to “draft ISPMs” and “standards” to simplify wording, but also applies to any part of an ISPM, including annexes, appendixes or supplements.
-The SC or SC-7 reviews the draft ISPM at a meeting (for a Diagnostic Protocol (DP) or Phytosanitary Treatment (PT), the SC reviews it electronically) and decides whether to approve it for member consultation, to return it to the steward(s) or an EDG or to put it on hold. When the SC-7 meets, comments from any SC members should be taken into account.
Note: Drafting of standards
Drafting of standards involves mainly TPs or EWGs, the SC, stewards of ISPMs and the IPPC Secretariat. More detailed information about these standard setting bodies can be found in Sections 5 and 6. The SC oversees the standard setting process and the Secretariat provides administrative and technical support.

9. Stage 3: Member consultation for draft ISPMs
Step 5: Member consultation
Members
Submit comments
Steward
Reviews the comments, prepares responses and revises the draft ISPM
Stage 3: Member consultation for draft ISPMs
Step 5: Member consultation for draft ISPMs
Once the SC approves the draft ISPM for member consultation, the Secretariat makes it publicly available and notifies IPPC members. The length of member consultation for draft ISPMs is 150 days. The IPPC contact point submits comments to the Secretariat through the OCS.
Member consultation on draft ISPMs webpage on IPP:
The Secretariat compiles the comments received, makes them publicly available and submits them to the steward(s) for consideration. The steward(s) reviews the comments, prepares responses to the comments, revises the draft ISPMs and submits them to the Secretariat. These are made available to the SC.
CPM-9 (2014): two member consultation periods for diagnostic protocols will be held in 2015, with the additional period starting on 1st February 2015 and the regular member consultation starting on 1st July 2015.
The 2014 member consultation (MC) period will last 150 days, from 1st July to 30th November 2014.

10. Stage 3: Member consultation for draft ISPMs
Step 6: Review of the draft prior to the CPM meeting
SC-7 or TP
Revises the draft ISPM and recommends it to the SC
Members
Submit substantial concerns on the draft ISPM
Steward
Reviews the comments, prepares responses, and revises the draft ISPM SC
Revises the draft ISPM and recommends it to the CPM
Stage 3: Member consultation for draft ISPMs
Step 6: Review of the draft ISPM prior to the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures meeting
Taking the comments into account, the SC-7 or TP (for DPs or PTs) revises the draft ISPM and recommends the draft ISPM to the SC.
Once the SC-7 or TP recommends the draft ISPM to the SC, the Secretariat makes it available to IPPC members for the substantial concerns commenting period and notifies IPPC members. The length of the substantial concerns commenting period for draft ISPMs is 120 days and should focus their comments on substantial concerns. The IPPC contact point submits the comments to the Secretariat using the OCS. The SC members should review comments submitted from their region and identify the comments deemed to be most important to the steward(s), accompanied by suggestions on how to address them.
The steward(s) reviews the comments, prepares responses to the comments, revises the draft ISPM and submits them to the Secretariat. These are made available to the SC and the draft ISPM is made available to IPPC members.
The SC reviews the comments, the steward(s)’responses to the comments and the revised draft ISPM. The SC provides a summary of the major issues discussed by the SC for the draft ISPM. These summaries are recorded in the report of the SC meeting. The SC decides whether to recommend the draft ISPM to the CPM, or to put it on hold, return it to the steward(s) or an EDG or submit it for another round of member consultation.
The Secretariat should make the draft ISPM available in the languages of the organization as soon as possible and at least six weeks prior to the opening of the CPM meeting.

11. Stage 4: Adoption and publication
Step 7: Adoption
CPM
Expected to adopt the draft ISPM
No formal objection SC
Recommends the draft ISPM
Contracting Parties
Determine whether a formal objection is required
Back to SC
Determines next steps
Stage 4: Adoption and publication
Step 7: Adoption
Following approval by the SC, the draft ISPM is included on the agenda of the CPM meeting.
All draft ISPMs presented to the CPM are subject to a formal objection (FO). If a contracting party (CP) has a formal objection, the CP submits the formal objection along with the technical justification and suggestions for improvement of the draft ISPM to the Secretariat no later than 14 days prior to the CPM meeting and the draft ISPM should be returned to the SC. If no formal objection is received, the CPM should adopt the ISPM without discussion. In exceptional circumstances, not including DPs and PTs, there should be an opportunity for the CPM Chair, in consultation with the SC Chair and the Secretariat, to propose a discussion of the formal objection at the CPM meeting with the aim that the formal objection can be lifted and the ISPM be adopted.
A formal objection should be a technically supported objection to the adoption of the draft standard in its current form, sent through the official IPPC contact point. The Secretariat would not make any judgement about the validity of the objection – an objection with some technical discussion of the issue would be accepted as a formal objection.
Formal objection received

12. Stage 4: Adoption and publication
Step 7: Adoption
Diagnostic Protocols SC
Approves
draft DP (electronically)
Contracting Parties
45-day formal objection period*
Adopts the draft ISPM
CPM notes
No Formal
Objection
Stage 4: Adoption and publication
Step 7: Adoption
For Diagnostic Protocols (DPs), the CPM has delegated its authority to the SC to adopt DPs on its behalf. Once the SC approves the DP, the Secretariat makes it available and CPs are notified. The notification period for approved DPs is twice a year on defined dates (1 July and 15 December). CPs have 45 days to review the approved DP and submit a formal objection, if any. If no formal objection is received, the SC, on behalf of the CPM, adopts the DP. DPs adopted through this process are noted by the CPM and attached to the report of the CPM meeting.
When a technical revision is required for an adopted DP, the SC can adopt the updates to adopted DPs via electronic means. The revised DPs shall be made publicly available as soon as the SC adopts them. DPs revised through this process are noted by the CPM and attached to the report of the CPM meeting.
DPs notification period page on IPP: SC
Determines next step
Formal
Objection
*DP notification period:1 July to 15 August and 15 December – 30 January

13. Stage 4: Adoption and publication
Step 8: Publication
LRGs
CPM
Propose translation modifications of adopted ISPMs
Adopts ISPMs and make them publicly available
Notes the modification s and adopted ISPMs are replaced
Step 8: Publication
The adopted ISPM is made publicly available and noted in the report of the CPM meeting.
IPPC members may form a Language Review Group (LRG) and, following the CPM-agreed LRG process, may propose modifications to translations of adopted ISPMs to be noted at the following CPM meeting.
The IPPC Standard Setting Process: Long process (average 5 years)
(FYI):
Language review groups: Procedure to correct errors in International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) in language versions other than English after adoption
Representatives from NPPOs and RPPOs from each FAO language group, other than English, are invited to organize a language review group (LRG) to consider the preferred use of terminology and to identify editing and formatting errors resulting from translation. CPM-6 (2011), Appendix III (Replaces procedure adopted at CPM-5 (2010), Appendix 9 of CPM-5 Report). The procedure was further reviewed at CPM-8 (2013) to allow more time for revisions (from two to three months). LRGs currently active are those for the Chinese, French, and Spanish language.
Further information is available on the IPP at

14. Standard Setting calendar (consultation periods)
01 Jun 2014
30 Sep 2014
Substantial Concerns Commenting Period (SCCP)
01 Jul 2014
30 Nov 2014
Member consultation on draft ISPMs
15 Aug 2014
Notification Period for Diagnostic Protocols
20 Dec 2014
20 Feb 2015
Member consultation on draft specifications for ISPMs
15 Dec 2014
30 Jan 2015
01 Feb 2015
01 Jul 2015
Member Consultation for draft Diagnostic Protocols
01 Jun 2015
31 Jul 2015
30 Sep 2015
30 Nov 2015
15 Aug 2015
More information at: and

15. Discussions
In which stages of the Standard Setting process can NPPOs participate?
Have you identified the SC members in your region?
What is member consultation for draft ISPMs?
In which stages of the Standard Setting process can NPPOs participate?
All stages:
1. Submitting topics
2. At CPM, adjusting the List of topics
3. Submitting comments on the draft specification
4. Nominating an expert for the EDGs
5. Submitting comments on the draft ISPM
6. Submitting substantial concerns comments, if any, on the draft ISPM
7. Adoption of the draft ISPM (CPM)
Have you identified the SC members in your region?
SC info and SC membership list available on IPP:
What is Member Consultation (MC) for draft ISPMs?
Opportunity for IPPC members to review and comment on draft ISPMs
Comments submitted by the IPPC Contact Point
Via the OCS on or before November 30th
Lasts 150 days: July 1st to November 30th
(FYI)
And for Submitting comments (via OCS):
NPPOs should review the comments submitted and decide which ones to submit
- Some stakeholders may have their own views on the topic based on their situation and mandate, but the NPPO has a ‘global’ view and wide expertise
NPPOs should take all viewpoints into consideration when making decisions.