This report presents the findings of a desk study into the use of authorization by national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) to perform phytosanitary actions. The study includes a review of the existing legislative framework relating to authorization and of implementation resources developed under the auspices of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat that provide guidance to NPPOs on the authorization of entities. A selection of examples of authorization programmes are provided, illustrating some of the approaches taken by countries to address potential implementation issues