Draft Plant Health Standards
Tell us what you think!
Are you a plant producer, plant health official, industry group member, or someone else with a stake in U.S. plant health or global plant trade? Are you interested in commenting on International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) documents?
This page has opportunities to comment on draft standards, documents, and specifications for plant health. When you share your thoughts, you can help us promote a safe, fair, and predictable trade system for U.S. products.
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Consultation
There are at least four consultation periods throughout the year when your comments will be reviewed. After each consultation period closes, the IPPC Secretariat compiles the comments and posts them to the IPPC website.
- Consultation on draft standards—90 days, July 1 to September 30
- Consultation on draft specifications—90 days, dates vary
- Consultation on CPM Recommendations—90 days, July 1 to September 30
- Expert consultation on diagnostic protocols—30 days, dates vary
- Notification period for diagnostic protocols—45 days, July 1 to August 15 and January 5 to February 20
- Consultation on Implementation and Capacity Development documents—90 days, July 1 to September 30
Below, learn how to submit comments and check periodically for open commenting opportunities.
Step 1
Download and review all open drafts for comment from the IPPC consultation website. To view the documents in English, open the “En” version.
Step 2
Leave tracked changes in the Word document.
- For each comment, provide alternative wording and justification for the changes you recommend. Focus your comments on these areas:
- Substantive: conceptual changes and the addition of new aspects or ideas
- Technical: scientific corrections and technical adjustments
- Editorial: clarify or simplify the text without changing the meaning
- Use the “Review” feature in Word to comment directly in the draft document.
- Please highlight the phrase of concern when commenting.
- If the comment is relevant to the entire draft, label your comment as “General” and add it at the beginning of the document.
- You can also provide comments in any other format (such as a PDF or email) by indicating the paragraph number in the corresponding draft Word document.
Step 3
When ready, attach your draft with comments and email your comments no later than August 15, 2025, to:
Stephanie Dubon
PPQ's NAPPO Technical Director
stephanie.m.dubon@usda.gov
Draft Standards
Commodity standards proposed as annexes to ISPM 46:
- fresh Musa spp. fruit
- fresh Colocasia esculenta (taro) for consumption
Draft revision of ISPM 26 (Establishment and maintenance of pest free areas for fruit flies)
Draft annex to ISPM 23 on Field inspection
Draft Specifications
- Draft annex to ISPM 47 on Remote audits
- Revision of ISPM 12 (Phytosanitary certificates)
- Revision of ISPM 23 (Guidelines for inspection)
View previous consultations on draft standards
North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) Consultation
NAPPO consultation varies depending on the project and on timelines agreed to by the NAPPO governance committees. For more information, contact PPQ's NAPPO Technical Director Stephanie Dubon at stephanie.m.dubon@usda.gov.
Below, learn how to submit comments and check periodically for open commenting opportunities.
Step 1
Download and review all open drafts for comment from the NAPPO website.
Step 2
Leave tracked changes in the Word document.
- For each comment, provide alternative wording and justification for the changes you recommend. Focus your comments on these areas:
- Substantive: conceptual changes and the addition of new aspects or ideas
- Technical: scientific corrections and technical adjustments
- Editorial: clarify or simplify the text without changing the meaning
- Use the “Review” feature in Word to comment directly in the draft document.
- Please highlight the phrase of concern when commenting.
- If the comment is relevant to the entire draft, label your comment as “General” and add it at the beginning of the document.
- You can also provide comments in any other format (such as a PDF or email) by indicating the paragraph number in the corresponding draft Word document.
Step 3
When ready, attach your draft with comments and email your comments to those specified in the next panel, "Draft NAPPO Standards Available for Comment."
There are no items open for comment at this time. Sign up for email or text updates, and we'll let you know when new documents are available. For previous NAPPO consultations, email stephanie.m.dubon@usda.gov.
Other Commenting Opportunities
Your input helps us make better-informed decisions about actions that may interest or impact you. See all commenting opportunities related to plant health and let us know your thoughts.