19 May 2011: The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has published two updated International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs): ISPM 7 on the components of a national system for the issuance of phytosanitary certificates; and ISPM 12 on principles and guidelines for the preparation and issuance of phytosanitary certificates for export and re-export.

Both ISPMs were revised and adopted at the sixth session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), the IPPC’s governing body, held in March 2011. The Secretariat of the IPPC is provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO).

ISPM 7 contains requirements and describes components of a phytosanitary certification system to be established by national plant protection organizations (NPPOs). Phytosanitary certificates are issued for exported or re-exported consignments to provide assurance to an NPPO that the consignments meet the phytosanitary import requirements. The standard lays out the requirements for such a system in the areas of: legal authority; NPPO responsibilities; resources and infrastructure; documentation; communication; and phytosanitary certification system review. An appendix to the standard contains guidelines for public officers issuing phytosanitary certificates.

ISPM 12 provides the requirements and guidelines for the preparation and issuance of phytosanitary certificates for export and re-export. It contains requirements in the following areas: purpose, types, forms and other elements of phytosanitary certificates; actions taken with certificates; considerations for importing countries; specific considerations for the preparation and issuance of certificates; completing sections of certificates for export; and considerations for re-export situations and transit. The standard also contains annexed model certificates for export and re-export, as well as an appendix on recommended wordings for additional declarations. An appendix on standardized language, structure of the message and exchange protocols is indicated to be under development. [ISPM 7] [ISPM 12]