1. The Codex Alimentarius Commission
Module 2.1
The Codex Alimentarius Commission

2. Module 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

3. Module 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

4. 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

5. 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

6. 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

7. Module 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

8. Structure of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

9. 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

10. 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

11. 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)
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

12. 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)
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

13. 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
On the Codex web-site:
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

14. Key features of the ‘Codex process’
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)
Science-based
Participatory
Transparent
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

15. Effective participation in CAC
National Codex Structures
National Codex Contact Points
National Codex Committees
Regional Codex Coordinating Committees
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

16. National Codex structures
Industry Groups
Consumer Groups
National Governments
Codex Alimentarius Commission/
Codex Secretariat
Scientific Community
Contact Point
National Codex
National Codex Committee
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

17. 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

18. 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

19. 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

20. 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

21. 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

22. Module 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
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission

23. Module 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
FAO Food Quality and Safety
Programmes
Module 2.1 – The Codex Alimentarius Commission