1. Selma H. Doyran Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme
WTO Workshop on Transparency 15 October Access to current Codex standards and related information
Selma H. Doyran
Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme

2. Transparency aspects - CODEX
Procedures
Transparency in the standard-setting process
All Codex Committees and Task Forces are open to all members and observers
Comments are requested at all steps of the procedures standard development and prior to final adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission
Access to standards: publications and Codex website
Use of standards: no notification process in Codex, the use of standards – harmonisation of national standards with international standards is considered in the regional FAO/WHO Coordinating Committees
Invitations to Codex Sessions are sent by the Secretariat to all Members of the Commission by mail in accordance with the official distribution lists of FAO and WHO. Copies are sent to national Codex Contact Points.
Provisional Agendas and other working documents are sent to Codex Contact Points by mail and via electronic distribution lists. To the extent possible, all Codex documentation is made available on the Internet. The website for Codex documentation is up-dated at least twice per week.
The CAC and its subsidiary bodies frequently seek the input of Member countries by means of Circular Letters sent to all Members and interested international organizations (both intergovernmental and non-governmental). In accordance with its Procedure for the Elaboration of Standards, comments are requested from governments at Steps 3, 5, 6 and 8 of the eight-step elaboration procedure. Comments and other input are requested on other occasions as well, for example to seek information on trade. Circular Letters are sent to all Codex Contact Points and to the electronic distribution lists. All comments received are distributed to all other Codex Contact Points (unless received after the deadline) and all written comments are reviewed by Codex Committees in the course of elaborating standards, guidelines or similar recommendations.

3. Access to documents - Codex website
Several types of documents
Standards and related texts, codes of practice, guidelines..(adopted Codex texts)
Working documents used in the elaboration of Codex standards :
Documents on which comments are requested
Other working documents
Electronic distribution lists to Codex contact points and observers
Invitations to Codex Sessions are sent by the Secretariat to all Members of the Commission by mail in accordance with the official distribution lists of FAO and WHO. Copies are sent to national Codex Contact Points.
Provisional Agendas and other working documents are sent to Codex Contact Points by mail and via electronic distribution lists. To the extent possible, all Codex documentation is made available on the Internet. The website for Codex documentation is up-dated at least twice per week.
The CAC and its subsidiary bodies frequently seek the input of Member countries by means of Circular Letters sent to all Members and interested international organizations (both intergovernmental and non-governmental). In accordance with its Procedure for the Elaboration of Standards, comments are requested from governments at Steps 3, 5, 6 and 8 of the eight-step elaboration procedure. Comments and other input are requested on other occasions as well, for example to seek information on trade. Circular Letters are sent to all Codex Contact Points and to the electronic distribution lists. All comments received are distributed to all other Codex Contact Points (unless received after the deadline) and all written comments are reviewed by Codex Committees in the course of elaborating standards, guidelines or similar recommendations.

4. Codex Standards - information
Publication of printed documents is limited  Special Publications by thematic area: hygiene, labelling, inspection and certification, biotechnology,)
CD ROM
Main media:
Codex website:
or through the FAO and WHO websites : standards, data base of pesticide and veterinary drugs MRLs
Invitations to Codex Sessions are sent by the Secretariat to all Members of the Commission by mail in accordance with the official distribution lists of FAO and WHO. Copies are sent to national Codex Contact Points.
Provisional Agendas and other working documents are sent to Codex Contact Points by mail and via electronic distribution lists. To the extent possible, all Codex documentation is made available on the Internet. The website for Codex documentation is up-dated at least twice per week.
The CAC and its subsidiary bodies frequently seek the input of Member countries by means of Circular Letters sent to all Members and interested international organizations (both intergovernmental and non-governmental). In accordance with its Procedure for the Elaboration of Standards, comments are requested from governments at Steps 3, 5, 6 and 8 of the eight-step elaboration procedure. Comments and other input are requested on other occasions as well, for example to seek information on trade. Circular Letters are sent to all Codex Contact Points and to the electronic distribution lists. All comments received are distributed to all other Codex Contact Points (unless received after the deadline) and all written comments are reviewed by Codex Committees in the course of elaborating standards, guidelines or similar recommendations.

5. Working Documents
Distribution of documents is mainly electronic since 2006
Codex website: or through FAO and OMS or
All reports of Codex sessions
Agendas and working documents for Codex sessions Codex (drafts of standards under discussion)
Circular Letters asking for comments from governments
Invitations to Codex Sessions are sent by the Secretariat to all Members of the Commission by mail in accordance with the official distribution lists of FAO and WHO. Copies are sent to national Codex Contact Points.
Provisional Agendas and other working documents are sent to Codex Contact Points by mail and via electronic distribution lists. To the extent possible, all Codex documentation is made available on the Internet. The website for Codex documentation is up-dated at least twice per week.
The CAC and its subsidiary bodies frequently seek the input of Member countries by means of Circular Letters sent to all Members and interested international organizations (both intergovernmental and non-governmental). In accordance with its Procedure for the Elaboration of Standards, comments are requested from governments at Steps 3, 5, 6 and 8 of the eight-step elaboration procedure. Comments and other input are requested on other occasions as well, for example to seek information on trade. Circular Letters are sent to all Codex Contact Points and to the electronic distribution lists. All comments received are distributed to all other Codex Contact Points (unless received after the deadline) and all written comments are reviewed by Codex Committees in the course of elaborating standards, guidelines or similar recommendations.

6. Publications (on website)
collection of standards, guidelines etc

7. Codex website – Content
General information on Codex
Schedule of “meetings and events”
Links to relevant websites (FAO/WHO expert bodies, Codex Trust Fund etc.)

8. Codex website: general information
List of Committees
Commission Members, Codex Contact points in countries
International Organisations
Procedural Manual -
Strategic Plan
Sites of Regional Committees

9. Codex website: link to risk assessment and scientific advice
JECFA
JMPR
JEMRA
FAO/WHO consultations