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, July 1 to September 30
- Consultation on CPM Recommendations—90 days, July 1 to September 30
- Expert consultation on diagnostic protocols—60 days, dates vary
- Notification period for diagnostic protocols—45 days, July 1 to August 15 and January 30 to March 15
- 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 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, 2026 to:
- Stephanie Dubon
IPS Technical Director
stephanie.m.dubon@usda.gov
Draft Standards
Commodity standards proposed as annexes to ISPM 46:
- Fresh Citrus spp. fruit for consumption
- Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean seeds) for planting
- Fresh Malus spp. fruit for consumption
- Fresh Musa spp. fruit for consumption
- Fresh Colocasia esculenta (taro) for consumption
Draft Specifications
- Revision of ISPM 3 - Guidelines for the export, shipment, import and release of biological control agents and other beneficial organisms
Draft Phytosanitary Treatments
- Draft annex to ISPM 28: Cold treatment for Ceratitis capitata on Actinidia deliciosa and Actinidia chinensis
- Draft annex to ISPM 28: Irradiation treatment for Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza sativae, and Liriomyza trifolii
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 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 no later than September 7, 2026 to:
- Stephanie Dubon, stephanie.m.dubon@usda.gov; and
- Terrance Wells, terrance.d.wells@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.