This standard specifies a horizontal method for the detection of enteropathogenic Vibrio species, causing human illness in or via the intestinal tract. The species detectable by the methods specified include Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio vulnificus. Taking into account the remarks made in the introduction, this International Standard is applicable to: products intended for human consumption and the feeding of animals; environmental samples in the area of food production and food handling. NOTE 1 Reasons for not applying this method are discussed in the Introduction. NOTE 2 The World Health Organisation (WHO) have identified that V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae and V. vulnificus are the major food borne Vibrio spp. however this standard can also be appropriate for the identification of other Vibrio spp. causing illness in humans [1].