1. OIE’s standard setting process

2. Why get involved?
Member Countries are primarily responsible for the setting and adoption of international standards
OIE Delegates have a responsibility to participate actively in the debate and setting of international standards
Once a standard is adopted the Delegate is obligated to implement the adopted standard.
Focal points have an important role in the standard setting procedure, through the preparation of comments for the Delegate for new or revised OIE standards

3. How are standards developed and revised?
Issue / problem identified
by Delegates, OIE Commissions, international/regional organisations, industry, scientists….e.g.
new scientific information, e.g. from research or disease outbreak
new diseases – emerging
new approach to control, e.g. vaccination
Issue addressed as new or revised standard if:
wide support from Members
relevant scientific information is available
proposal fits with OIE’s 5th Strategic Plan priorities
issue is addressed using ad hoc groups whose work is overseen by the Aquatic Animals Commission.

4. How are standards developed and revised?
Proposed new/revised text is circulated for comments
to Delegates and Organisations with a cooperative agreement with OIE
Aquatic Animals Commission may revise proposals on basis of comments received and recirculate for another round of comments
Discussion by Delegates at OIE General Session and text is:
adopted OR
returned to Commission for further work
Adopted texts are published in the next editions of the Aquatic Code and Aquatic Manual

5. Updating International Standards
Committee, Commissions, Delegates
ISSUE / PROBLEM 1
Specialist
Commissions
Updating International Standards
Review
Advice of experts or other Specialist Commissions
Delegates of
178 Members
Draft text 1 2 2
World Assembly
Comments
Delegates 3
There is only one pathway for the adoption of OIE standards, i.e. approval by the World Assembly, meeting annually at the OIE General Session.
Revisions to the Codes are adopted via resolutions. 4
OIE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
Adoption 5

6. CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER
NATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF OIE STANDARDS
DELEGATE
CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER
UNIVERSITIES
AND REARCH
INSTITUTIONS
PRIVATE
VETERNARIANS
PRIMARY
PRODUCTION
SECTOR
INDUSTRIAL
SECTOR
INTERNATIONAL
AND REGIONAL
ORGANISATIONS

7. Annual cycle for Aquatic Code and Manual
May - OIE General Session
* revised/ new texts adopted by World Assembly of Delegates
August
* new edition Aquatic Code published
* revised Aquatic Manual chapters online
Sept/Oct
* AAHSC meet
* revised/ new texts circulated for Member comment in meeting report
* report available on OIE website
* FPs notified by
Feb/March

10. Key dates for 2013
next meeting of the Aquatic Animals Commission is Sept. to 4th Oct
comments on the March 2013 report must reach OIE Headquarters by 30 August 2013 to be considered at the October meeting.
Make arrangements with your Delegate to ensure you have early access to AAHSC reports:
- to allow maximum time for your consultation process
- and ensure comments reach OIE prior to the deadline.
The OIE was established subsequent to the ratification of international agreement signed by twenty-eight States on 25 January 1924 in Paris - France.
You will note that the OIE was founded 21 years prior to the United Nations and its corresponding agencies – and it is important to point out, for those who are not familiar with the OIE, that the OIE has remained its independence and has not been absorbed by the United Nations.
In 2003, the OIE changed its name to the World Organisation for Animal Health but maintained its historical acronym.

11. More ressources: www.oie.int11

12. OIE Video…. 12