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Slide 2Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Objectives
Inform on the role and activities of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)
Create awareness of the international importance of Codex regulations
Create interest and understanding of mechanisms for national involvement in the Codex Alimentarius Commission
Slide 3Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Content
Introduction to the Codex Alimentarius Commission What is it? What are its objectives? How does
it function? Codex work at regional level
Regional committees Codex work at national level
National Codex Contact Points; National Codex Committee
Slide 4Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
What is the Codex Alimentarius Commission?
A joint FAO/WHO inter-governmental body with 171 member countries (as of August 2005) plus observers
Responsible for implementing FAO/WHO Joint Food Standards Programme since 1962
Slide 5Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
What is the function of the CAC?
To protect the health of consumers To ensure fair practices in the food trade To coordinate food standards work
internationally To finalise and publish international
standards, codes of practice and recommendations in the Codex Alimentarius
Slide 6Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
The Codex Alimentarius
‘Codex Alimentarius’ means ‘Food Code’
Comprises 14 volumes All standards available
at Codex web-site Codex standards are
recommended (not mandated) food quality and safety standards
Slide 7Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
How is Codex organised?
Codex Secretariat located at FAO HQ
Executive Committee meets annually
Technical committees and task forces meet every 1 or 2 years
Regional Coordinating Committees
CAC Sessions held every 2 years
Slide 8Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Structure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
E xe cu tive C o m m ittee S e c re ta ria t
G e n era l C o m m itte es(9 )
C o m m ittee s ad jo urn ed(4 )
a d h oc T ask Fo rces(3 )
A c tive C o m m itte es(7 )
C o m m o d ity C o m m itte esa n d Ta sk Fo rces
R e g ion a l C o m m itte es(6 )
CodexA limentarius Com mission
Slide 9Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
How are Codex standards elaborated?
Commission decides on new work
Standards elaborated in relevant technical committee
Procedure for elaborating standards facilitates stakeholder input
Commission decides on adoption of Codex texts
Reports of CAC sessions are published
Slide 10Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Current Codex final texts
Food standards – 237 Codes of Practice – 45 Guidelines – 33 Guidelines for limits of contaminants – 25 Pesticides evaluated – 207 Limits of pesticide residues – 3274 Veterinary drugs evaluated – 54 Limits of veterinary drugs residues – 289 Food additives evaluated – 1300
Slide 11Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Horizontal Codex standards
Horizontal standards Prepared in General subject committees Have across-the-board relevance to a number of commodities
Work of some Codex Horizontal Committees is relevant to OTA question Food Additives and contaminants (CCFAC)
• Initiated discussions on need for a Code of Practice on OTA in coffee and cocoa (April 2005)
Food Hygiene (CCFH) General Principles (CCGP) Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems
(CCFICS) Methods Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS)
Slide 12Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Vertical Codex standards
Vertical standards Vertical standards are those related to a particular
commodity
There are no vertical Codex coffee standards – other international coffee standards exist (ISO, ICO)
Slide 13Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Codex technical committee sessions
Open to all member governments and observers
Participation through attendance at sessions and submission of comments
Timely circulation of announcements and working documents
A b ou t C od ex
F o rthco m in g m e etin gs
re p o rts
a rch ive rep o rts
M e etin gs a nd E ve n ts O ffic ia l s ta nd a rds
C o de x H o m e P a ge
On the Codex web-site:
Slide 14Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Key features of the ‘Codex process’
Science-based Participatory Transparent
Scientific advisory bodies to Codex:
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Joint FAO/WHO Meetings on Pesticide Residues (JMPR)
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA)
Slide 15Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Effective participation in CAC
National Codex Structures National Codex
Contact Points National Codex
Committees
Regional Codex Coordinating Committees
Slide 16Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
National Codex structures
Industry Groups
Consumer Groups
National Governments
Codex Alimentarius Commission/Codex Secretariat
Scientific Community
Contact PointNational Codex
National Codex Committee
Slide 17Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Codex Contact Point (CCP)
Link between Codex Secretariat and Member countries
Coordination of Codex activities within their own countries
Reception and circulation of Codex final texts and working documents of Codex sessions
Sending of comments on Codex documents or proposals to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, subsidiary bodies and/or Codex Secretariat
Slide 18Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Codex Contact Point (CCP)
Close cooperation with national Codex committee
Liaison with food industry, consumers, traders and other concerned parties
Exchange of information and coordination of activities with other Codex Members
Maintenance of a library of Codex texts
Slide 19Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
National Codex Committee (NCC)
Acts as a consultative group to the government Formulates the country response to the proposals of
CAC Nominates delegates to represent the country at
Codex meetings Advises the government on the best possible decisions
as regards Codex standards and their implementation Appoints such technical sub-committees as may be
necessary for the country's effective participation in Codex
Undertakes such other duties as may be advised by the government
Slide 20Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Regional Codex Committees
Definition of problems and needs in the region
Development of regional standards Coordination of activities in the region Representation of specific interests of the
region to the Commission Promotion of acceptance of Codex
standards by the member countries
Slide 21Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
What is the role of a regional committee?
Coordinating Committee for Africa Coordinating Committee for Asia Coordinating Committee for Europe Coordinating Committee for Latin America
and the Caribbean Coordinating Committee for the Near East Coordinating Committee for North
America and the South West Pacific
Slide 22Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Summary
The Codex Alimentarius is a body of internationally recommended food quality and safety standards
Codex Alimentarius standards are of singular importance in international food trade
Countries should strengthen mechanisms for ensuring effective participation in CAC
Slide 23Module 2.1 – The Codex
Alimentarius Commission
Next steps…
Keep informed of issues being handled in Codex
Follow up with national Codex structures on key issues of national interest
Promote harmonisation of national measures with Codex
Codex Alimentarius
www.codexalimentarius.net
FAO Food Quality and SafetyProgrammes
http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/sitemap_en.stm#food