The IPPC standard setting work is led by the Commission’s Standards Committee. The Standards Committee is supported by various technical panels, expert working groups, and the IPPC Secretariat.

Three main types of standards have been developed to provide an internationally agreed approach for the harmonization of phytosanitary regulations and to guide and assist NPPOs in performing their various functions:

Foundational standards – These establish internationally accepted principles and approaches for NPPOs to undertake such activities as pest risk analysis, establishing pest free areas, surveillance, establishing a phytosanitary certification system, and pest reporting.

Phytosanitary treatments (ISPM 28 (Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests) with its annexes) – These establish internationally accepted treatments for pests on commodities, such as irradiation, fumigation and temperature treatment.

Diagnostic protocols (ISPM 27 (Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests) with its annexes) – These are targeted at specific pests and establish the internationally accepted method for accurate diagnostic identification.

2030 key result areas:

SS1: Prioritized commodities and pathways are covered by commodity- or pathway-specific ISPMs adopted or being developed by the Commission.

SS2: NPPOs base their phytosanitary systems and import requirements on adopted ISPMs.