ISF supports a systems approach for seed as a necessary alternative measure in which seeds produced in a NPPO-approved supply chain can be imported and (re-)exported with a phytosanitary certificate without the specification of measures for individual pests. The ISF Expert Group on Systems Approach has released a concept paper  (soon available in French, Japanese, and Spanish) on systems approach for seeds to achieve alignment among the public and the private seed sectors for an approach that simplifies and harmonizes phytosanitary certification for the international movement of seed. ISF strives for a system that will be multilaterally recognized, broadly adopted, and will recognize current industry processes which reduce phytosanitary risk when producing quality seed.

It is the goal of the international seed industry to work within the framework of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the FAO as this will facilitate harmonization of the approach by the different NPPOs. ISF believes that a systems approach for seeds should be simple and easy to accept and implement by NPPOs and the seed industry while fulfilling the phytosanitary needs of both.

ISF proposes to use existing lists, such as the ISF Regulated Pest List, as a basis for a global pest list.