Posted on ven, 06 Nov 2015, 08:22

The Implementation Review and Support System (IRSS) has launched a desk study for clarifying and validating the extent to which diversion from the intended use occurs in international trade in plants and plant products. Diversion from intended use is of significant relevance to all contracting parties and occurs when regulated plants, plant products and other regulated articles are used for other than their originally declared purpose after importation. Diversion from intended use relates to fundamental concepts such as pest risk analysis (PRA), appropriate strength of phytosanitary measures and responsibilities of the national plant protection organizations (NPPOs). The issues associated with diversion from intended use can include a change in risk profile resulting in a higher or lower probability of pest establishment and spread or disputes between contracting parties when phytosanitary measures are set for a commodity’s unintended use without justification, both with potentially negative consequences.

This issue was raised at the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Strategic Planning Group in October 2014 and has been considered by the CPM Bureau at their June meeting this year. Additionally, at the 25th Technical Consultation among Regional Plant Protection Organizations (RPPOs) in 2013, it was noted that the responsibilities between the importing and exporting contracting parties on avoiding deviation from intended use are not clear, including the capacity to detect and control such deviations at the national level.

A short questionnaire has been sent to all contracting parties and RPPOs and is intended to gather case studies from countries where diversion from intended use has occurred without authorization by the NPPO or where phytosanitary import requirements have been established by the NPPO for more than one declared intended use of a commodity, to determine whether this issue is a national, regional or global occurrence. The questionnaire can be accessed at the below link. All responses, including negative responses, are valuable so your participation is highly appreciated. Please provide responses to the questions to the best of your knowledge.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/diversionfromintendeduse

The IPPC is continually inspired by the dedication of our contracting parties to assist the Secretariat in identifying challenges and opportunities for implementation of the Convention. We look forward to receiving your responses to this IPPC study questionnaire.

• Tags:
• deviation from intended use
• Certification
• IRSS
• study