Clarification on issues of implementation of IPPC standards

In recent correspondence between the IPPC Secretary, Mr. Yukio Yokoi, and the Secretary General of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Mr. Rob Steele, it was clarified that the ISO Central Secretariat has never promoted ISO standard adoption as mandatory for the implementation of International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). This issue was initially raised as a concern of IPPC contracting parties during a discussion at CPM-7 (2012), addressing standard setting procedures, and was further clarified by the CPM Chair. As the IPPC practices a very robust and transparent standard setting system in which all of its contracting parties participate, it was necessary to perform direct consultation with the ISO Secretariat. This would help to avoid any confusion on the issue and evade additional burdens and obligations related to the implementation of the IPPC and its ISPMs. In the letter received from the ISO Secretary General, it was further explained that while a number of ISO standards-mainly those concerned with health, safety or the environment have been adopted in some countries as part of their regulatory framework, such adoptions are sovereign decisions by the regulatory authorities or governments of the countries concerned.