The US trade association has directed its IPD steering committee to proceed with research and development. The IPD concept was first developed by PMA's e-commerce task force in 2001, which published standard produce attributes that serve as the foundation of the IPD. There are 12 of these and they give every detail from country of origin and commodity down to inner and outer pack and consumer labelling data. The aim is to standardise and enhance the e-commerce of fresh produce.

In late 2002, a pilot test of the concept was endorsed by PMA and based on the successful pilot results, PMA's executive committee formed the steering committee to help identify options for determining PMA's role in an IPD-type project.

IPD steering committee chairman Tim York is enthusiastic for the project. 'I am very excited about the possibilities and opportunities that this major produce industry standards initiative may hold. We are aggressively pursuing the thorough research and due diligence that will provide our governing bodies with the information they need to best serve the industry's future.' York is also chairman of the PMA executive committee.

The research and development work of the IPD Steering Committee will include extensive meetings with industry members from the retail, food service, and supplier sectors to discuss technology and system issues, industry expectations, and standards and IPD model development.

The steering committee will be continuing research efforts with international standards bodies as well as e-commerce and technology providers. It will report its proposals in August.

The produce industry world-wide, including in the UK is likely to read with interest the results of this next developmental stage for the impact it is likely to have on global fruit and vegetable e-commerce.