WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/GEN/146
1 December 1999
(99-5181)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
MONITORING THE PROCESS OF INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZATION
Further information from the IPPC on "Official Control"1
The following information was received from the FAO International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC) with respect to issues raised in the context of the procedure to monitor the use of
international standards, guidelines and recommendations
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The 2nd meeting of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM) discussed this
subject and endorsed a work programme that included the drafting of a standard on "Official Control".
Re Item 12 of the report 2nd meeting of the ICPM:
"The ICPM noted with concern the lack of consensus on the term "Official Control".  It noted
that different interpretations of the term have effects on international trade.  The ICPM agreed that an
open-ended working group would be held in conjunction with the next session of the Glossary Group.
In particular, the open-ended working group would:
- define the term "Official Control";
- review the concept of official and develop guidelines, if necessary, for consistency of 
its application.
The ICPM agreed that a definition or standard resulting from considerations of the open-
ended working group would be subject to the standard setting procedure, including the consultation
process."
The United States has agreed to commit resources  to this endeavour (Item 9 of the report).
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1 See G/SPS/GEN/137