i 
 NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NSPM: 32 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Categorization of commodities according to their pest  risk 
2013  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(This standard is approved by (the NPPO and) the Quarantine Committee of Nepal, chaired by the 
secretary  of the Ministry of Agriculture Development on 1st December 2013 and, is submitted by National 
Plant Quarantine Program to the National Notification Authority to be notified to the WTO member states)  
 
  ii Table of Contents  
 
Abbreviations (frequently used in the standard)  ................................ ...............................  iii 
 
1. Introduction  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  1 
1.1 Scope ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  1 
1.2 References  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  1 
1.3 Definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  2 
1.4 Outline of requirements  ................................ ................................ ...............................  2 
 
2. Background  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  2 
 
3. Requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  4 
3.1 Elements of categorization of commodities acco rding to their pest risk  ..............  4 
3. 1.1 Method and degree of processing before export  ................................ ............  4 
3.1.2 Intended use of the commodity  ................................ ................................ ...........  5 
 
4. Commodity categories  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 5 
 
Annex 1: Methods of commercial processing with resultant commodities  .....................  7 
 
Annex 2:  Methods of commercial processing with resultant commodities  ...................  9 
 
Appendix 3: Phytosanitary risk levels associated with imported commodities  ........  13 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  iii  
 
 
 
Abbreviations (frequently used in the standard)  
 
APPPC    – Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission  
IPPC   – International Plant Protection Convention  
ISPM  – International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures  
NPPO   – National Plant Protection Organization  
NPQP  – National Plant Quarantine Programme  
NSPM  – National Standards for Phytosanitary Measures  
PC – Phytosanitary Certificate  
PP – Plant Protection  
PRA      – Pest Risk Analysis  
PPD – Plant Protection Directorate  
RPPO      – Regional Plant Protection Organization  
RSPM   – Regional Standard for Phytosanitary Measures  
SPS    – Sanitary and Phytosanitary  
WTO   – World trade organization  
 
 
 
 
 1 
 1. Introduction   
1.1 Scope  
This standard provides guidelines for National plant protection or ganization (NPPO) of Nepal 
to reduce the risk of pests moving with imported and exported commodities according to 
their categorization. This standard helps in identifying whether any phytosanitary measures 
have to be applied and if further pest risk analys is is required. NSPM preparation is based 
on guidelines and recommendations developed within the framework of the IPPC. This 
standard also adopted the principles, recommendations and format of ISPM to achieve 
international harmonization of phytosanitary me asures with the aim to facilitate trade.  
 
Categorization of commodities is based on:  
     - whether the product has been processed, and if so, the method and degree of  
       processing to which it has been subjected before export and,   
     - the commodi ty’s intended use after import and the consequent potential for the  
       introduction and spread of regulated pests.  
Contaminating pests or storage pests that may become associated with the commodity after 
processing are not considered in this standard.  
1.2 References  
IPPC . 1997. International Plant Protection Convention . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 5 . Glossary of phytosanitary terms . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 11 . 2004. Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental  
                risks and living modified organisms . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 12 . 2001. Guidelines for phytosanitary certificates . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 15 . 2002. Guidelines for regulating wood packaging material in international trade . 
                 Rome, IPPC, FAO. [ revised; now ISPM 15:2009]  
ISPM 16 . 2002. Regulated non -quarantine pests: concept and application . Rome, IPPC,  
                 FAO.  
ISPM 20 . 2004. Guidelines for a phytosanitary import regulatory system . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 21 . 2004. Pest risk analys is for regulated non -quarantine pests . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 23 . 2005. Guidelines for inspection . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
ISPM 32.  2009.  Categorization of Commodities according to their pest risk . Rome, IPPC,  
                 FAO.  
NPQP. 2005. Operations Manua l for Import and Export Certification.  FAO/TCP/NEP/2903 A   2 Plant Protection Act , 2007, NPQP, PPD, Nepal  
Plant Protection Regulation , 2010. NPQP, PPD, Nepal  
WTO . 1994. Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures . 
Geneva, World Trade O rganization.  
1.3 Definitions  
Definitions of phytosanitary terms used in the present standard can be found in ISPM 5 
(Glossary of phytosanitary terms ) and Plant Protection Act and Regulation.  
 
1.4 Outline of requirements  
The risks posed by exotic pests a ssociated with traded commodities are increasing due to 
global trade. The standard intends to facilitate the safe trade as it a well understood that 
some types of commodities typically pose greater risks than other types of commodities.  
Commodities can be  a pathway for the pests  introduction and establishment thus the 
categorization of commodities is to provide NPPO of Nepal for identifying the need for a 
pathway initiated Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) and to apply the appropriate measures to 
manage those risk s. 
The commodities are divided into four categories as per their level of pest risks.  
Following annexes and appendixes are included in this standard .  
Annex  1  
Methods of commercial processing with resultant commodities that do not remain capable of 
being infested with pests  
Annex 2  
Methods of commercial processing with resultant commodities that remains  capable of being 
infested with quarantine pests  
Appendix  1  
Flow chart illustrating categorization of commodities according to their pest risk  
Appendix  2  
Illustrating examples of commodities falling under category 1  
Appendix 3   
Phytosanitary risk levels associated with imported commodities  
2. Background  
Commodity products moving in international trade that have been subjected to process are 
considered to be of lower risk as the process often eliminates or kills the pest. Thus these 
commodities need not to be regulated (e.g. oils, fiber, canned or processed vegetables, 
etc.). In such commodities phytosanitary measures & phytosanitary certificates are not 
required, whereas the commodities after processing if pests are not eliminated then it has to 
be subjected to the appropriate phytosanitary measures (e.g. chipping of wood, chopping of 
nuts, fruits, post -harvest handling , freezing, etc.).  
In general, commod ities for which the intended use is consumption (e.g. fresh fruits & 
vegetables, some grains, etc.) are considered to have a lower risk than those which are 
intended for planting (e.g. plants & seeds for planting). Commodities like seeds, germplasm 
& plant s intended for planting often  have a higher risk than other categories.   3 The objective of this standard is to categorize commodities according to their le vel of pest 
risk. The National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Nepal will decide whether there 
is a need of a pathway -initiated PRA and facilitate the decision making process.  
In both condition, WTO & IPPC member countries are obligated to base their standard 
measures on international standard or justify measures through risk analysis. This standard  
is based on ISPM No. 32 "Categorization of Commodities according to their pest risk” that 
provides additional guidelines on the categorization of commodities according their pest risk 
requirements.  
Provisions of the IPPC regarding Categorization of Commod ities  
Article VI.1(b) of the IPPC states: “Contracting parties may require phytosanitary measures 
for quarantine pests and regulated non -quarantine pests, p rovided that such measures are  
limited to what is necessary to protect plant health an d/or safegua rd the intended use and 
can be technically justified by the contracting party concerned ”. This standard is based on 
the concepts of intended use of a commodity and the method and degree of its processing, 
which are also addressed in other ISPMs as outline d below.  
Method and degree of processing:  
- ISPM 12:2001, section 1.1, states:  
       Importing countries should only require phytosanitary certificates for regulated articles.   
       Phytosanitary certificates may also be used for certain plant produ cts that have been  
       processed where such products, by their nature or that of their processing, have a  
       potential for introducing regulat ed pests (e.g. wood, cotton). …  
       Importing countries should not require phytosanitary certificates f or plant products    
       that have been processed in such a way that they have no potential for introducing  
       regulated pests, or for other articles that do not require phytosanitary measures.            
- ISPM 15:2002, section 2, states:  
Wood pa ckaging made wholly of wood -based products such as plywood, particle board, 
oriented strand board or veneer that have been created using glue, heat and pressure, 
or a combination thereof, should be considered sufficiently processed to have 
eliminated the r isk associated with the raw wood. It is unlikely to be infested by raw 
wood pests during its use and therefore should not be regulated for these pests.  
- ISPM 23:2005, section 2.3.2, states: “Inspection can be used to verify the compliance with        
some phytosanitary requirements.” Examples include degree of processing.  
Intended use:  
- ISPM 11:2004, sections 2.2.1.5 and 2.2.3. When analyzing  the probabilities of transfer of 
pests to a suitable host and of their spread after establishment, one of the f actors to be 
considered is the intended use of the commodity.  
- ISPM 12:2001, section 2.1. Different phytosanitary requirements may apply to the different 
intended end uses as indicated on the phytosanitary certificate.  
- ISPM 16:2002, section 4.2. Risk of economically unacceptable impact varies with different 
pests, commodities and intended use.  
- ISPM 21:2004, which uses extensively the concept of intended use.   4 Method and degree of processing together with intended use:  
- ISPM 20:2004, section 5.1.4, indicates that PRA may be done on a specific pest or on all 
the pests associated with a particular pathway (e.g. a commodity). A commodity may be 
classified by its degree of processing and/or its intended use.  
- ISPM 23:2005, section 1.5. One of the facto rs to decide the use of inspection as a 
phytosanitary measure is the commodity type and intended use   
3. Requirements  
 
The NPPO has to categorize the commodity according to its pest risk. For this, NPPO may 
request detail information on method and degree of processing (e.g. temperature, exposure 
time, size of commodity) to determine the category to which the commodity should be 
assigned and if phytosanitary measures may be required. NPPO should consider the 
intended use of the commodity & the level of process ing prior to establishing phytosanitary 
measures for specific commodities. The phytosanitary requirements should take into 
account, in particular, the principles of technical justification, pest risk analysis, managed 
risk, minimal impact, harmonization an d sovereignty.  
Having evaluated the method and degree of processing taking into account the intended 
use, the NPPO should make a decision on the import requirements for the  commodity.  
 
This standard does not apply to cases of deviation from intended use after import (e.g. grain 
for milling used as seed for sowing).  
3.1 Elements of categorization of commodities according to their pest risk  
The method and degree of processing significantly changes the nature of the commodity 
reducing the capable of pest i nfestation. In such cases, the commodity does not require 
phytosanitary measures or phytosanitary certificate by NPPO.  
If after processing a commodity m ay be capable of harboring a pest infestation, then the 
intended use has to be considered.  
3. 1.1 Method  and degree of processing before export  
NPPO of Nepal may request detailed information from NPPOs of exporting countries on 
method and degree of processing (e.g. temperature, exposure time, size of commodity) to 
determine the commodity’s  category associat ed with pest risk.  
Based on the method and degree of processing, commodities can be broadly divided into 
three types as follows:  
- processed to the point where the commodity does not remain capable of being infested 
with quarantine pests  
- processed to a  point where the commodity remains capable of being infested with 
quarantine pests  
- not processed.  
If an assessment of the method and degree of processing concludes that a commodity does 
not remain capable of being infested with quarantine pests, there is no need to consider  5 intended use and the commodity should not be regulated. However, if an assessment of the 
method and degree of processing concludes that a commodity remains capable of being 
infested with quarantine pests, the intended use should then  be considered.  
For non -processed commodities the intended use should always be considered.  
3.1.2 Intended use of the commodity  
Intended use is defined as the declared purpose for which plants, plant products or other 
articles are imported, produced or used (ISPM 5). The intended use of a commodity may be 
for:  
- planting: (e.g. cuttings, rooted plants, bulbs, seeds)   
-     consumption and other uses (e.g. crafts, decorative products, cut flowers):          
-     processing  
The risk associated with a co mmodity imported from the same country of origin may vary 
depending on its intended use. For example, peas and beans imported for planting may 
carry a much higher probability of establishment of associated regulated pests than those 
imported for consumptio n. This may result in the application of different phytosanitary 
measures for a commodity based on its intended use (e.g. soybean seed for sowing and 
soybean grain for human consumption).  Table1 shows the relationship between intended 
use and probability of establishment or spread of regulated pests.  
Table 1. Intended use and probability of establishment of associated regulated pests in the 
importing country  
 
Intended 
use Probability of establishment and 
spread  Phytosanitary action  
Plants for 
planting  high probability  -phytosanitary measures 
necessary  
 
Consumption  medium/ low  probability  -risk-based phytosanitary 
measures may be necessary  
Processing  Medium /low probability  -intended use considered  
-risk-based phytosanitary 
measures  may be necessary  
 
4. Commodity categories  
NPPO may categorize a commodity by taking into account if it has been processed or not, 
the method and degree of processing and where appropriate the intended use. Each 
commodity category is described below in table, along with g uidance on the need for 
phytosanitary measures.   6 Table 2 Categories of commodities  
 
Category  Degree of processing  Phytosanitary action  
Category 1  processed and not capable of being 
infested with Quarantine Pests (QPs)  - phytosanitary measures not 
requir ed 
- phytosanitary certificate not 
required  
Category 2  processed but capable of being 
infested with QPs  
 -risk-based phytosanitary 
measures may be required to 
determine  
- consideration should then 
be given to the intended use 
of the commodity  
Category 3  unprocessed and for consumption or 
processing e.g. some fresh fruits and 
vegetables for consumption and cut 
flowers.  
 -risk-based phytosanitary 
measures  required  
Category 4  Unprocessed, for planting e.g. 
propagative material (e.g. cuttings, 
seeds, seed potatoes, plants in vitro, 
micropropagative plant material and 
other plants to be planted).  - risk-based phytosanitary 
measures required  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  7 Annex  1: Methods of commercial processing with resultant commodities 
that do not remain c apable of being infested with quarantine pests  
 
COMMERCIAL 
PROCESS  DESCRIPTION  EXAMPLE OF 
RESULTANT 
COMMODITY  ADDITIONAL 
INFORMATION  
Carbonization  Anoxic combustion of an organic 
material to charcoal  Charcoal   
Cooking (boiling, 
heating, microwavin g, 
including rice 
parboiling)  Preparing food items for 
consumption by heating, primarily 
transforming the physical 
structure of items  Cooked items  Frequently involves 
chemically 
transforming a food, 
thus changing its 
flavour, texture, 
appearance, or 
nutritional properties  
Dyeing  Colouring of textile fibres and 
other materials by which the 
colour becomes an integral part 
of the fibre or material under the 
influence of pH and temperature 
changes plus interaction with 
chemical products  Dyed vegetable 
fibres and 
textiles   
Extraction  Physical or chemical process to 
obtain specific components from 
plant -based raw materials, 
usually through mass -transfer 
operations  Oils, alcohol, 
essences, sugar  Normally done under 
high temperature 
conditions  
Fermenta tion  Anaerobic or anoxic process 
changing food/plant material 
chemically, often involving micro -
organisms (bacteria, moulds or 
yeasts) and e.g. converting 
sugars to alcohol or organic acids  Wines, liquors, 
beer and other 
alcoholic 
beverages, 
fermented 
vegetables  May be combined 
with pasteurization  
Malting  A series of actions allowing the 
germination of cereal seeds to 
develop enzymatic activity to 
digest starchy materials into 
sugars and cessation of 
enzymatic activity by heating  Malted barley   
Multi-method 
processing  A combination of multiple types of 
processing such as heating, high 
pressure  Plywood, 
particle board, 
wafer board   
Pasteurization  Thermal processing in order to 
kill undesirable or harmful micro -
organisms  Pasteurized 
juices, alco holic 
beverages 
(beer, wine)  Often combined with 
fermentation and 
followed by 
refrigeration (at 4 °C) 
and proper 
packaging and 
handling. Process 
time and 
temperature 
depends on type of 
product.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  8 Annex 1 contd…  
 
COMMERCIAL 
PROCESS  DESCRIPTION  EXAMPLE OF 
RESULTANT 
COMMODITY  ADDITIONAL 
INFORMATION  
Preservation in liquid  Process of preserving 
plant material in a 
suitable liquid medium 
(e.g. in syrup, brine, oil, 
vinegar or alcohol) of a 
particular pH, salinity, 
anaerobic or osmotic 
state  Preserved fruits, 
vegetables, nuts, 
tubers, bulbs  Proper conditions of 
pH, salinity, etc. must 
be maintained  
Pureeing (including 
blending)  Making homogenized 
and spreadable fruit 
and/or vegetable 
tissues, e.g. by high -
speed mixing, 
screening through a 
sieve or using a 
blender  Pureed items (fruits, 
vegetables)  Normally combined with 
pulping of fruits or 
vegetables and 
methods to preserve 
the puree (e.g. 
pasteurization and 
packing)  
Roasting  Process of drying and 
browning foods by 
exposure to dry heat  Roasted peanuts, 
coffee and nuts   
Sterilization  Process of applying 
heat (vapours, dry heat 
or boiling water), 
irradiation or chemical 
treatments in order to 
destroy micro -
organisms  Sterilized substrates, 
juices  Sterilization may not 
change the conditio n of 
the commodity in an 
evident way, but 
eliminates micro -
organisms  
Sterilization (industrial)  Thermal processing of 
foods that leads to 
shelf -stable products in 
containers by 
destruction of all 
pathogenic, toxin -
forming and spoilage 
organisms  Canned vegetables, 
soups; UHT (ultra -high 
temperature) juices  Process time and 
Temperature for 
canned products 
depends on type of 
product, treatment and 
geometry of container. 
Aseptic processing and 
packaging involves 
industrial sterilization of 
a flowing produc t and 
then packaging in 
sterile environment and 
package.  
Sugar infusing  Action of coating and 
infusing fruits with 
sugar  Crystallized fruit, fruit 
infused with sugar, nuts 
coated with sugar  Usually combined with 
pulping, boiling, drying  
Tenderizing  Process to rehydrate 
dried or dehydrated 
items by the application 
of steam under 
pressure or submerging 
in hot water  Tenderized fruits  Usually applied to a 
dried commodity. Can 
be combined with sugar 
infusing.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  9 Annex 2:  Methods of commercia l processing with resultant 
commodities that remain capable of being infested with quarantine pests  
 
COMMERCIAL 
PROCESS  DESCRIPTION  EXAMPLE OF 
RESULTANT 
COMMODITY  ADDITIONAL 
INFORMATION  
Chipping (of wood)  Wood reduced to small 
pieces  Chipped wood  The probability of 
infestation is related to 
the species of wood, 
the presence of bark, 
and the size of the 
chips  
Chopping  To cut into pieces  Chopped fruit, nuts, 
grains, vegetables   
Crushing  Breaking plant material 
into pieces by 
application of 
mech anical force  Herbs, nuts  Usually applied to dried 
products  
Drying/dehydration (of 
fruits and vegetables)  Removal of moisture for 
preservation, or to 
decrease weight or 
volume  Dehydrated fruit, 
vegetables   
Painting (including 
lacquering, varnishing)   To coat with paint  Painted wood and 
canes, fibres   
Peeling and shelling  Removal of the outer or 
epidermal tissues or 
pods  Peeled fruits, 
vegetables, grains, 
nuts   
Polishing (of grain and 
beans)  To make smooth and 
shiny by rubbing or 
chemical acti on 
removing the outer 
layers from grains  Polished rice and 
cocoa beans   
Post-harvest handling 
(of fruits and 
vegetables)  Operations such as 
grading, sorting, 
washing or brushing, 
and/or waxing fruits and 
vegetables  Graded, sorted, 
washed, or brushed 
and/or waxed fruit and 
vegetables  Usually carried out in 
packing houses  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 10 COMMERCIAL 
PROCESS  DESCRIPTION  EXAMPLE OF 
RESULTANT 
COMMODITY  ADDITIONAL 
INFORMATION  
Quick freezing  Cooling quickly, ensuring 
that the temperature 
range of max imum ice 
crystallization is passed 
as quickly as possible to 
preserve the quality of 
fruits and vegetables  Frozen fruits and 
vegetables  Recommended 
international code of 
practice for the 
processing and handling 
of quick frozen foods, 
1976 CAC/RCP 8 -1976 
(Rev 3, 2008), Codex 
Alimentarius, FAO, Rome, 
states that “food which 
has been subjected to a 
quick freezing process, 
and maintained at −18 ºC 
or colder at all points in 
the cold chain, subject to 
permitted temperature 
tolerance.”  
Quick freezing of fruits 
and vegetables kills 
insects in particular. 
Frozen fruits and 
vegetables are prepared 
for direc t consumption 
and will decay quickly 
after thawing. Therefore 
the pest risks associated 
with such products is 
considered very low 1.  
 
It is recommended not to regulate frozen fruits and vegetables . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 11 This appendix is for reference purposes only and is not a prescriptive part of the standard.  
Appendix  1: Flow chart illustrating categorization of commodities according to  
                        their pest risk  
  
 12  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 13  
Appendix  3: Phytosanitary risk levels associated with imported  commodities  
The level of phytosanitary risk is measured by conducting an appropriate pest risk analysis 
by a team of expert designated for the purpose by the NPPO.  This is carried out for the 
commodities which are of major concern for trade, and is regul arly updated. The list of 
regulated pests comprising the quarantine pests and the regulated non quarantine pests 
needs to be notified by the NPPO. Even in the absence of a list of regulated pests inspectors 
may keep in mind the level of phytosanitary risk involved based on the nature of the 
commodity and the past experiences of interceptions made even elsewhere. The guidelines 
given below can be of some use.  
 
Negligible to low risks  : Commodities like flour for consumption,  malt, manufactured/ 
painted wood,  furniture , handicrafts etc, peat for growing substrate, dried fruits, nuts  without 
husk , raisins, heat treated or kiln dried coniferous wood, etc      
 
Medium to high risk : Non-certified small plants and cuttings, certified seeds/ plants/ 
cuttings, cut  flowers and potted plants depending of country of origin, potato , fruits like apple, 
grapes, oranges for consumption, bulbs (onions etc), tubers and corms of ornamentals, 
unwashed root vegetables, nursery products, coniferous packing wood from pine wood 
nema tode-countries, coniferous wood, debarked coniferous wood from Pine wood nematode 
countries, coniferous wood with bark, soil from the field.  
 
.