Importance of Codex AlimentariusCommission
(Agenda Item 4)
Ms. Shashi SareenSenior Advisor, Food Safety & Quality
FAO Regional Office for the Asia & the Pacific, Bangkoke-mail: [email protected]
at
“The FAO Regional Training Workshop:
“Enhancing Effective Participation in Codex Activities in
ASEAN Countries”
(9-11 January, 2017: Bangkok, Thailand
• Introducing Codex – Background, mandate, functions, documentation, etc
• Elaboration of Codex texts/standards (documentation)
• Codex Committees and subsidiary bodies
• Key to the success of Codex
Coverage
Introducing Codex –background, mandate,
functions, documentation
Introduction
• Globalization - increasing demand by consumers for variety of foods
• Creation of global market - transboundary movement and trade of food across countries – imports/exports
• Potential for spread of contamination high -increasingly new challenges & risks to the health & safety of consumers
• Quality, health, safety, labelling, food fraud incidents (melamine, horsemeat) acquiring global focus
• Governments imposing standards/ requirements especially for health & safety; and private sector for competitive advantage
• National regulation & voluntary standards causing impediments to trade – a cause for concern
• To prevent indiscriminate use, rules & disciplines laid down in Non-tariff agreements–SPS/ TBT
SPS Article 3 Harmonization
• Encourage use of international standards
Food safety & Animal health Plant healthAnimal health & zoonoses
Codex OIE IPPC
• SPS permits higher standards based on risk assessment
Codex = Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission
OIE = World Organisation for Animal Health
IPPC = International Plant Protection Convention (FAO)
• An Intergovernmental body
• Founded in 1962 to implement the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme – jointly hosted by FAO & WHO (1st session 1963) – 50th anniversary 2013
• Mandateprotect the health of consumersensure fair practices in international food trade
• Membership - 187 countries + 1 member org (EU) –representing 99% of world population
• Observers: 240 international organizations:- 56 IGOs, 168 NGOs, 16 UN (representing scientific, industry, trade, consumers)
• Headquarters
Codex Alimentarius Comission
Functions of Codex• Develops harmonised international food standards,
guidelines and codes of practice (for consumers health and fair trade practices)
• Promotes coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Determines the priorities, initiates the preparation of standards, finalizes after consultation with the national Governments, publishes - also amends standards in the light of latest developments
Codex outputs/Documentation • Codex alimentarius in Latin means food code - it is
a collection of food standards, guidelines and related texts ie the documentation developed by the CAC
• Standards/guidelines for
Food Hygiene
Food Labelling
Food additives and contaminants
Residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs
Inspection and certification systems
Commodities (e.g. milk, meat, fruits and vegetables, processed foods)
Foods derived from biotechnology
All Codex texts are available from the List of standards of Codex website
http://www.codexalimentarius.org/standards/en/
The numerical Codex standards for food additives,veterinary drugs maximum residue levels & pesticide
maximum residue levels, can also be accessed via databases that facilitate their use.
Codex Strategic plan 2014-19
• Vision: be the pre-eminent international food standards –setting body to protect health of consumers & ensure fair practices in the food trade
• Core values: collaboration, inclusiveness, consensus, transparency
• Strategic goals: 41) Set international food standards - current & emerging issues2) RA principles applied in development of Codex standards
3) Facilitate effective participation of all Codex members4) Implement effective & efficient work management practices
• Objectives & work plans - activities, milestones, indicators
Elaboration of Codex texts –documentation
How are Codex texts developed?
through the Uniform Procedure for the Elaboration of Codex Standards and Related Texts (8-step procedure)
(in Codex Procedural Manual)
Basis for the establishment of Codex standards
Sound scientific analysis and evidence based on risk analysis
The food standards, guidelines and other recommendations of “Codex Alimentarius shall be based on the principle of sound
scientific analysis and evidence, involving a thorough review of all relevant information, in order that the standards assure the quality
and safety of the food supply.
Other legitimate factors
When elaborating and deciding upon food standards Codex Alimentarius will have regard, where appropriate, to other legitimate
factors relevant for the health protection of consumers and for the promotion of fair practices in food trade”
(Statements of Principle concerning the Role of Science in the Codex Decision-
making Process and the Extent to which Other Factors are taken into account; in the
Procedural Manual)
Other legitimate factors •Other legitimate factors may be identified in the risk management process but:
Should not affect scientific basis of risk analysis
Should not create unjustified barriers to trade (particular attention should be given to the impact on developing countries)
Only those factors which can be accepted on a worldwide basis should be taken into account (some legitimate concerns of governments are not generally applicable or relevant worldwide)
outlines the
agreed set of
rules to ensure
the Commission
and its
subsidiary
bodies work in a
uniform manner
intended to help
member
countries to
participate
effectively in the
work of the Joint
FAO/WHO Food
Standards
Programme
Procedural manual (25th edition)
• Contains
– Statues of CAC (legal basis, mandate, operating procedures, concept & reasons for Codex) & Rules of Procedure
– Additional procedures for the elaboration of Codex standards & related texts, basic definitions and guidelines for the operation of CAC & its subsidiary bodies
The Manual is divided into seven sections plus an appendix:
Section III – Guidelines for Codex subsidiary bodies
Section IV – Risk analysis
Section V – Subsidiary bodies and their TORs
Section I – Basic Texts and Definitions
Appendix – General Decisions of the Commission
Structure of theCodex Procedural Manual
16
Section II – Elaboration of Codex Standards and Related Texts
Section VI – Membership
Section VII – Relations with other organizations
Structure of the Codex Procedural Manual
Section I – Basic Texts and Definitions (4 parts)• Statutes of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
(10 Articles);
• Rules of Procedure of the Codex AlimentariusCommission (16 Rules);
• General Principles of the Codex Alimentarius(4 Principles); and
• Definitions for the Purposes of the Codex Alimentarius
17
Article 1 – Mandate
protecting health of the consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade;
promoting coordination of all food standards work undertaken by IGOs/ INGOs;
determining priorities and initiating and guiding the preparation of draft standards;
finalizing and publishing standards in a Codex Alimentarius as regional/ worldwide standards;
amending published standards in the light of developments.
Statutes of the Codex – Section I
Article 2 – Membership
For country to become Member of CAC, 2 conditions to be met:
1) be a Member of either FAO or WHO. 2) notify the DG of either FAO or WHO of its wish to be Member.
Structure of the Codex Procedural Manual
19
Section II – Elaboration of Codex Standards and Related Texts (procedures)• Procedures for the Elaboration of Codex Standards and
Related Texts;• Criteria for the Establishment of Subsidiary Bodies;• Criteria for the Establishment of Work Priorities;• Guidelines for the Application of Criteria for
Establishment of Work Priorities;• Relations between Commodity Committees & General
Committees;• Format for Codex Commodity Standards;• Guidelines for the Inclusion of Specific Provisions in
Codex Standards and Related Texts
Structure of the Codex Procedural Manual
Section III – Guidelines for Subsidiary Bodies (guidelines)
• Guidelines to Host Governments of Committees and Task Forces;
• Guidelines for the Conduct of Meetings of Committees and Task Forces;
• Guidelines to Chairs of Committees and Task Forces;
• Guidelines on pWGs; and
• Guidelines on eWGs
20
Structure of the Codex Procedural Manual
Section IV – Risk Analysis (policies / principles)• Working Principles for Risk Analysis in the framework of Codex;
• Definitions of Risk Analysis terms;
• Risk Analysis Principles applied by CCFA, CCCF, CCRVDF, CCPR, CCFH;
• Policies on exposure assessments;
• Annex containing template for information necessary for prioritization;
• Risk Assessment Policy on setting MRLs in case of veterinary drugs;
• Risk Analysis Principles applied by CCPR and Annex;
• Nutritional Risk Analysis Principles and Guidelines; and
• Risk Analysis Principles and Procedures applied by CCFA & CCFH
21
Structure of the Codex Procedural Manual
Section V – Subsidiary Bodies of the CAC• Contains list of all Codex Committees and Task Forces (active,
adjourned Sine die, dissolved or abolished); their TORs and name of host country
Section VI – Membership• Contains a full list of Codex member countries (with year of
accession where available); Core Functions of the Codex Contact Points
Section VII – Relations with Other Organisations• Guidelines on Cooperation with International Inter-Govt.
Organizations;• Principles concerning Participation of International NGOs in
Codex work22
Structure of the Codex Procedural Manual
Appendix – Contains 3 General Decisions of the Commission
• Statement of Principle concerning Role of Science in Codex decisions and the extent to which Other Factors are taken into account;
• Statement of Principle relating to Role of Food Safety Risk Assessment; and
• Measure to Facilitate Consensus
23
Standard Setting Process (8 Step)24
STEP 1 The Commission approve the new work
STEP 2 Drafting a proposed draft standard
STEP 3Circulation of draft to member countries/ others interested for comments
STEP 4 Review of comments/ draft at committee level
STEP 6 Circulation of a draft standard to governments
STEP 7Consideration of a comments/ draft standard by relevant committee
STEP 8 Consideration of draft standard by CAC (through CCEXEC) and adoption of standard
STEP 5 Adoption as a draft standard by CAC
Fast Track
• Accelerated Procedure – Final Adoption at Step 5
– The Commission/ committee identify at the new work proposal
• Step 5/8 – Skip Steps 6 and 7
– A committee may propose when submission to CAC at Step 5
25
Codex Elaboration Process – prior to Step 1
Codex Elaboration Process
Initial Proposal
Discussion paper
Project Proposal
Proceed?
Criteria &
Priorities
Revised or
Abandoned
Consultation with
Governments &
Interested parties
and Committee
Debate
Mid-term review
Endorsement*
Final standard,
Guideline etc.
* By General CommitteesYes
No
Getting StartedApproval &
AdoptionElaborationCritical Review
Committee level Executive
Committee
(Step1)
Committees &
Task Force
(Step 2,3,4,6,7)
COMMISSION
(Step 1,5,8)
Effective contribution steps…
Codex Committees and Subsidiary Bodies
(Organization structure)
General Principles
(France)
Food Additives (China)
Contaminants in
Foods (Netherlands)
Food Hygiene
(USA)
Food Labelling
(Canada)
Methods of Analysis and
Sampling
(Hungary)
Pesticide Residues
(China)
Residues of Veterinary
Drugs in Foods
(USA)
General Subject Committees Commodity Committees
Milk and Milk
Products (NZ)
Processed Fruits
and Vegetables (USA)
Fish and Fishery
Products (Norway)
Fresh Fruit and
Vegetables (Mexico)
Fats and Oils
(Malaysia)
Nutrition and Foods for
Special Dietary Uses
(Germany)Meat Hygiene
(New Zealand)
Vegetable Proteins
(Canada)
Natural Mineral
Waters
(Switzerland)
Cocoa Products and
Chocolate (Switzerland)
Regional Coordinating
Committees
Africa
(Kenya)
Asia
(India)
Europe
(Netherlands)
Latin America
and the Caribbean
(Chile)
Near East
(Iran)
North America and
the Southwest Pacific
(Vanuatu)
Executive Committee Secretariat
CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION
Food Import and
Export Inspection
and Certification
Systems (Australia)
active
adjourned
Organization Structure
Cereals, Pulses and
Legumes (USA)
Sugars
(Colombia)
Spices and Culinary
Herbs (India)
ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Forces
dissolved
Animal Feeding(Switzerland)
Antimicrobial Resistance
(Republic of Korea)
Biotechnology(Japan)
Fruit and Vegetable Juices(Brazil)
Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods
(Thailand)
The Commission
• The decision-making body of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme
• Consists of member governments, as well as a number of international government (IGOs) and non-government organizations (INGOs) which have official observer status with the Commission
• Chair and 3 Vice Chairs
• Presently meets annually, with meetings alternating between Rome (FAO Headquarters) and Geneva (WHO Headquarters)
The Executive Committee (CCEXEC)
• Established by CAC - acts as the executive organ of CAC.
• The total membership of the CCEXEC is 17
• Geographically balanced - one member country elected from each geographic regions:
Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Near East, North America, The Southwest Pacific
• The Regional Coordinators of the six regions
• Chair and 3 Vice Chairs same as of CAC
The Subsidiary Bodies
Under its Rules of Procedure, CAC is empowered to establish four kinds of subsidiary bodies:
• General Subject Committees (also referred to as horizontal), establish standards/ guidelines applicable to all foods;
• Commodity Committees (also known as vertical), prepare standards for specific commodities;
• FAO/WHO Coordinating Committees, through which regions or groups of countries coordinate food standards activities in the region, including development of regional standards;
• Ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Forces, which are time-limited and prepare standards and guidelines on specific issues.
FAO/WHO Coordinating Committees
• Have no standing host countries - are hosted by the member country who is regional coordinator.
• Host country rotates amongst members of region -needs to have capacity to provide logistic/ administrative support for organizing meetings - pay part or all costs associated with hosting meeting.
• The role of regional coordinator - coordinate views of the region in preparation of texts for submission to CAC. Also assist CCEXEC and CAC as required, by advising them of views of their region on various matters
• Coordinators nominated at each session of the Coordinating Committee and appointed at next session of Commission. They hold office from the end of this session and may be re-appointed for a second term.
Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Forces
• Have a specific mandate - for a limited period of time -are hosted by a member country - dissolved once their work is completed - may be re-activated if additional work is required.
• Examples of ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Forces are : Task Force on Animal Feeding, 2000–2004 and 2011-2013; and Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology, 1999–2003
& 2004–2008; Task Force on Fruits & Vegetable Juices, 1999-2005 Task Force on the Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen
Foods, 2006-2008; Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance, 2006-2011
General Principles
(France)
Food Additives (China)
Contaminants in
Foods (Netherlands)
Food Hygiene
(USA)
Food Labelling
(Canada)
Methods of Analysis and
Sampling
(Hungary)
Pesticide Residues
(China)
Residues of Veterinary
Drugs in Foods
(USA)
General Subject Committees Commodity Committees
Milk and Milk
Products (NZ)
Processed Fruits
and Vegetables (USA)
Fish and Fishery
Products (Norway)
Fresh Fruit and
Vegetables (Mexico)
Fats and Oils
(Malaysia)
Nutrition and Foods for
Special Dietary Uses
(Germany)Meat Hygiene
(New Zealand)
Vegetable Proteins
(Canada)
Natural Mineral
Waters
(Switzerland)
Cocoa Products and
Chocolate (Switzerland)
Regional Coordinating
Committees
Africa
(Kenya)
Asia
(India)
Europe
(Netherlands)
Latin America
and the Caribbean
(Chile)
Near East
(Iran)
North America and
the Southwest Pacific
(Vanuatu)
Executive Committee Secretariat
CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION
Food Import and
Export Inspection
and Certification
Systems (Australia)
active
adjourned
Organization Structure
Cereals, Pulses and
Legumes (USA)
Sugars
(Colombia)
Spices and Culinary
Herbs (India)
ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Forces
dissolved
Animal Feeding(Switzerland)
Antimicrobial Resistance
(Republic of Korea)
Biotechnology(Japan)
Fruit and Vegetable Juices(Brazil)
Processing and Handling of Quick Frozen Foods
(Thailand)
National Policy Priorities in Codex• Strengthen national structures to support efficient
management of Codex activities For high level leadership and strategic oversight of programme and
priorities for countries Recognise and support inter agency collaboration on Codex To support effective engagement of industry and consumers To ensure limited national resources are used efficiently
• Support development of food safety and quality standardsbased on Codex Based on science, meet health protection needs of countries; Important for regulating trade (imports and exports)
• Strengthen capacity for participation in Codex in priorityareas To influence international standards; To advance development of international standards for products of
importance to countries
Keys to the success of Codex
• Member driven
• Consensus decisions
• Transparency – website –observers
• Flexible procedure allowing all to comment
• Science/ risk based food safety standards
THANK YOU
Welcome Questions!
