ISO 959-1:2026

Pepper (Piper nigrum L.), whole or ground — Specification — Part 1: Black pepper ISO 959-1:2026

Publication date:   May 5, 2026

Scope

This document specifies requirements for black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) (see ISO 676), whole or ground at the following commercial stages:

non-processed black pepper (NP) or semi-processed black pepper (SP);
processed black pepper (P), which can, in certain cases, be re-sold directly to the consumers.

This document does not apply to black pepper categories called “light”.
NOTE            Specifications for white pepper are given in ISO 959-2.
Recommendations relating to storage and transport conditions are given in Annex C.
Information regarding the microscopic structure of the pepper berry is given in Annex D.