The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) will appoint the Committee on Planetary Protection (CoPP) to operate as a long-term ad hoc committee. The disciplinary scope of CoPP includes the study of those aspects of planetary environments, the life sciences, spacecraft engineering and technology, and science policy relevant to the control of biological cross-contamination arising from the robotic spacecraft missions and the human exploration and utilization of solar system bodies.
CoPP will have two primary tasks:

1. To monitor progress in implementing the planetary protection guidelines associated with priority missions and programs identified in the most recent planetary science decadal survey, and other relevant reports issued by NASEM; and
2. To serve as a source of information and advice on those measures undertaken by robotic spacecraft and human exploration missions to protect the biological and environmental integrity of extraterrestrial bodies for future scientific studies and the means to preserve the integrity of Earth's biosphere when spacecraft return potentially hazardous extraterrestrial materials to Earth.

When requested by NASA and as approved by NASEM in accordance with its procedures the committee may write reports detailing progress in areas relating to NASA's planetary protection guidelines or new scientific and technical developments. The reports will be based on evidence gathered by the committee. The reports may address key activities undertaken by NASA as well as the status of its actions that relate to the state of implementation of priority missions and programs.
Through its regular meetings, the CoPP will also serve the secondary functions of:

1. Providing an independent, authoritative forum for the scientific community, the federal government, international space agencies, relevant private-sector entities and organizations, and the interested public to identify and discuss emerging issues in the scientific, technical, and engineering aspects of planetary protection policies and guidelines;
2. Identifying and prioritizing necessary research and development activities required to advance the development of planetary protection guidelines designed to ensure that the exploration and utilization of extraterrestrial environments is conducted responsibly; and,
3. Providing a forum for interactions with the International Science Council's Committee on Space Research and other national and international organizations through the addition of international participants when appropriate and in coordination with the SSB.