Introduction

Scope
References
Definitions and abbreviations
Outline of requirements

Scope

This standard describes the components of a national system for the issuance of phytosanitary certificates.

References

Glossary of phytosanitary terms, 1997. ISPM Pub. No. 5, FAO, Rome. International Plant Protection Convention, 1992. FAO, Rome.

Additional declaration

A statement that is required by an importing country to be entered on a phytosanitary certificate and which provides specific additional information pertinent to the phytosanitary condition of a consignment.

Consignment

A quantity of plants, plant products and/or other regulated articles being moved from one country to another and covered by a single phytosanitary certificate (a consignment may be composed of one or more lots).

Country of origin

Of a consignment of plants, country where the plants were grown; of a consignment of plant products, country where the plants from which the plant products were derived were grown; of other regulated articles, country where the regulated articles were first exposed to contamination by pests.

Country of re-export

Country into which a consignment of plants, plant products, or other regulated articles has been imported and was stored, split up, had its packaging changed or was otherwise exposed to contamination by pests, prior to export to a third country.

Harmonization

The establishment, recognition and application by different countries of phytosanitary measures based on common standards. (Definition based on the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.)

Import permit

Official document authorizing importation of a commodity in accordance with specified phytosanitary requirements.

Inspection

Official visual examination of plants, plant products or other regulated articles to determine if pests are present and/or to determine compliance with phytosanitary regulations.

IPPC

International Plant Protection Convention, as deposited in 1951 with FAO in Rome and as subsequently amended.

National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO)

Official service established by a government to discharge the functions specified by the IPPC.

Pest

Any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal, or pathogenic agent, injurious to plants or plant products.

Phytosanitary

Pertaining to plant quarantine.

Phytosanitary certificate

Certificate patterned after the model certificates of the IPPC.

Phytosanitary certification

Use of phytosanitary procedures leading to the issue of a phytosanitary certificate.

Phytosanitary regulation

Official rule to prevent the introduction and/or spread of quarantine pests, by regulating the production, movement, or existence of commodities or other articles, or the normal activity of persons, and by establishing schemes for phytosanitary certification.

Plant products

Unmanufactured material of plant origin (including grain) and those manufactured products that, by their nature or that of their processing, may create a risk for the introduction and spread of pests.

Plants

Living plants and parts thereof, including seeds and germplasm.

Test

Official examination, other than visual, to determine if pests are present or to identify pests.

Treatment

Officially authorized procedure for the killing, removal or rendering infertile of pests.

Outline of requirements

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) requires its contracting parties to make arrangements to issue phytosanitary certificates certifying compliance with the phytosanitary regulations of other contracting parties. This standard describes an export certification system to produce valid and credible phytosanitary certificates. Exported consignments certified under these systems should meet the current phytosanitary requirements of the importing country.

The basic elements of the phytosanitary certification process include:

- ascertaining the relevant phytosanitary requirements of the importing country (including import permits if required)
- verifying that the consignment conforms to those requirements at the time of certification
- issuing a phytosanitary certificate.

The requirements for a certification system to fulfil these functions comprise the following:

- legal authority
- management responsibility, including resources, documentation, communication and review mechanism.

Additional declaration	A statement that is required by an importing country to be entered on a phytosanitary certificate and which provides specific additional information pertinent to the phytosanitary condition of a consignment.
Consignment	A quantity of plants, plant products and/or other regulated articles being moved from one country to another and covered by a single phytosanitary certificate (a consignment may be composed of one or more lots).
Country of origin	Of a consignment of plants, country where the plants were grown; of a consignment of plant products, country where the plants from which the plant products were derived were grown; of other regulated articles, country where the regulated articles were first exposed to contamination by pests.
Country of re-export	Country into which a consignment of plants, plant products, or other regulated articles has been imported and was stored, split up, had its packaging changed or was otherwise exposed to contamination by pests, prior to export to a third country.
Harmonization	The establishment, recognition and application by different countries of phytosanitary measures based on common standards. (Definition based on the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.)
Import permit	Official document authorizing importation of a commodity in accordance with specified phytosanitary requirements.
Inspection	Official visual examination of plants, plant products or other regulated articles to determine if pests are present and/or to determine compliance with phytosanitary regulations.
IPPC	International Plant Protection Convention, as deposited in 1951 with FAO in Rome and as subsequently amended.
National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO)	Official service established by a government to discharge the functions specified by the IPPC.
Pest	Any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal, or pathogenic agent, injurious to plants or plant products.
Phytosanitary	Pertaining to plant quarantine.
Phytosanitary certificate	Certificate patterned after the model certificates of the IPPC.
Phytosanitary certification	Use of phytosanitary procedures leading to the issue of a phytosanitary certificate.
Phytosanitary regulation	Official rule to prevent the introduction and/or spread of quarantine pests, by regulating the production, movement, or existence of commodities or other articles, or the normal activity of persons, and by establishing schemes for phytosanitary certification.
Plant products	Unmanufactured material of plant origin (including grain) and those manufactured products that, by their nature or that of their processing, may create a risk for the introduction and spread of pests.
Plants	Living plants and parts thereof, including seeds and germplasm.
Test	Official examination, other than visual, to determine if pests are present or to identify pests.
Treatment	Officially authorized procedure for the killing, removal or rendering infertile of pests.