 Invasive weeds can reduce crop yield. Invasive insects can destroy leaves, seeds and fruits. Plant diseases can have a deadly impact on entire ecosystems. If the risk is not managed and mitigated, the presence of these pests poses serious threats to agriculture and hinder international trade. The International Plant Protection Convention, IPPC, helps governments and farmers prevent and control the introduction and spread of pests of both cultivated and natural plants and plant products. It is the only global organization that works to develop international standards for phytosanitary measures, ISPs, ensuring the same benchmark level information to help all countries trade plant products and commodities safely and protect the environment. Each year, the 184 Nation Commission of Phytosanitary Measures, the CPM, meets to adopt standards developed through a transparent and inclusive process. On average, it takes seven years for a standard to go through the four stages required for its development and adoption. Every two years, countries can identify specific plant health problems that require international harmonization and propose topics for new standards. The CPM's Standards Committee oversees the new standards development. With 25 members representing all FAO regions, it assembles expert working groups and technical panels to ensure the scientific quality of the proposed standard. Next, all IPPC contracting parties and regional plant protection organizations participate in the review process to guarantee that standards are both science and consensus-based. After each consultation, the Standards Committee reviews and revises the draft. Once approved, it is proposed for adoption. If there are no objections, the standard is adopted at the annual general session of the CPM by the plant health community. The world now benefits from more than 100 standards that cover a diversity of issues and contribute to food security, protection of the environment and safe trade.