The International Plant Protection Convention 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 by the country of origin under these systems should meet the current phytosanitary regulations of the importing country.

The basic elements of the phytosanitary certification process are:

• 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; and
• issuing a phytosanitary certificate.

The requirements for a certification system to fulfil these functions are:

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

The IPPC requires that the exporting country complies with these requirements, which may require inspection and treatments that have been developed as a result of bilateral negotiations. When completing the documentation for export, ensure that these requirements have been met and that any additional declaration is included on the phytosanitary certificate.

The procedures that are required of a comprehensive biosecurity office in order to undertake export inspection are covered in detail in ISPM No 7. Export Phytosanitary System and the completion of the International Phytosanitary Certificate in ISPM No 12. In particular, section 1.5 Requirements made by importing countries with respect to preparation and issue of phytosanitary certificates and section 2.1 Requirements for completing the phytosanitary certificate.