More about the SPC

The Standards and Petitions Committee has developed and regularly updated, the Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, which gives detailed and specific guidance on the correct use of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. When a disagreement about the listing of a particular species on the IUCN Red List leads to a formal petition, the Standards and Petitions Committee acts as the final judge and makes a binding ruling on the petition.

SPC also gives advice on the interpretation of the Red List Criteria; response to requests for scientific advice and guidance from the Red List Technical Working Group of the Red List Committee, the IUCN Species Programme and from Red List Partners; reviews Red List training materials and approaches; reviews proposed changes to the Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional Levels; reviews all assessments made using only Criterion E; periodically reviews assessments made by Red List Authorities, Red List Partners and the IUCN Species Programme; and comments on specific assessments forwarded by the IUCN Species Programme.

Standards and Petitions Committee work