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The SPS Agreement & International Standards
Codex standard setting procedures Current activities of
International Standard
setting
Ms. Shashi Sareen Senior Food Safety & Nutrition Officer
FAO Regional Office for the Asia & the Pacific E-mail:
[email protected]
at Inception Workshop: Principles & further activities
for Codex implementation (17-19 September 2012, Bangkok,
Thailand)
under
Project:Support to Capacity Building & Implementation of
International Food Safety Standards in ASEAN Countries
(GCP/RAS/280/JPN)
mailto:[email protected]
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Outline
• SPS Agreement and link to Codex
• Codex standard setting procedures
• Current activities of International Standard setting
• Current activities of FAO projects in the region in relation
to Codex
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Objectives of the SPS Agreement • To protect & improve the
current human health,
animal health & phytosanitary situation of all Member
countries
• To protect Members from arbitrary or unjustifiable
discrimination due to different sanitary & phytosanitary
standards
• To maintain the sovereign right of any Government to provide
an appropriate level of protection ie allow countries to set their
own standards for health & safety
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SPS Article 3 Harmonization
• Encourage use of international standards
Food safety & Animal health Plant health Animal health &
zoonoses
Codex OIE IPPC
• SPS permits higher standards based on risk assessment
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• An Intergovernmental body
• Founded in 1962 to implement the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards
Programme
• Programme Objectives protect the health of consumers ensure
fair practices in international food trade coordinate all food
standardization work at the
international level
• Membership - 184 countries + 1 member org (EC) – representing
99% of world population
• Observers: 208 international organizations:- 48 IGOs, 144
NGOs, 16 UN (representing scientific, industry, trade,
consumers)
Codex Alimentarius Comission
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Codex Documentation
• Standards – relate to product characteristics
• Codes of Practice – hygiene codes (define practices)
• Guidelines – 2 categories
Principles that set out policies in certain key areas
Guidelines for interpretation of these principles
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Codex Documents(Standards/ Guidelines/ Recommendations)
• Food safety & hygiene
• Nutrition
• Labelling
• Import & export inspection & certification
• Quality of foodstuffs
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Codex Documentation breakup
• Commodity standards – 186
• Commodity related texts – 46
• Food labeling – 9
• Food Hygiene – 5
• Food safety risk assessments – 3
• Sampling and analysis – 15
• Inspection and Certification procedures – 8
• Animal food production – 6
• Contaminants in foods (max levels, detection & prevention)
– 12
• Max limit for pesticide residues – 2930; covering 218
pesticides
• Limits of veterinary drug residues – 441, covering 49 vet
drugs
• Food additives provisions – 1112, covering 292 food
additives
• Food additives related texts – 7
• Regional Guidelines - 3
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Codex General Subject Committee
• General Principles – France
• Food Hygiene – USA
• Contaminants in food – Netherlands
• Food Additives – China
• Pesticide Residues – China
• Residue of Vet Drugs in Food – USA
• Food Labeling – Canada
• Methods of Analysis & Sampling – Hungary
• Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems –
Australia
• Nutrition and Food for Special Dietary Use - Germany
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Codex Commodity Committees • Commodity Committees that meet
regularly:
– Fats And Oils – United Kingdom – Fish And Fishery Products -
Norway – Fresh Fruits And Vegetables - Mexico – Milk And Milk
Product – New Zealand – Processed Fruits and Vegetables - USA
• Commodity Committees that meet through correspondence or are
in recess : – Cereal, Pulses and Legumes - USA – Natural Mineral
Water - Switzerland – Meat Hygiene – Sugars - United Kingdom –
Cocoa Products And Chocolates - Switzerland – Vegetable Proteins -
Canada
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Standards Setting Procedure
• Step Procedure
Total 8 steps are involved in the final adoption of standard,
guideline or other text.
Sometimes text is considered to be ready for final adoption at
Step 5 – often called Step 5/8.
• Principles of Codex Elaboration Procedure
Inclusiveness - Step by step, by consensus. Every member is
included. Every members concerns are considered before taking a
decision.
Transparency- Open discussion & communication, free to all
interested.
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Elaboration procedures (8-step normal)
Step 2
Step 3
Step 7 Step 4
Step 6 Step 5
Step 8
Step 1
Commission decides to elaborate a standard & assigns work to
a committee
Secretariat arranges preparation of proposed draft standard
Proposed draft standard sent to governments & Int orgs for
comments
Secretariat forwards comments to committee
Proposed draft standard is send to commission for adoption as a
draft standard
Draft standard send to government & international
organization for comments
Draft standard is submitted through commission for adoption as a
Codex Standard
Secretariat forwards comments to committee
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Some latest Approaches (Policy) in Codex
• Scientific basis (Measures conform to international standards
or based on risk assessment)
• Food chain approach
• Risk-based approach
• Preventative systems approach
• Effective food control systems
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Science-based documents/ decisions
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Joint FAO/WHO Meetings on Pesticide Residues (JMPR)
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment
(JEMRA)
Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Specifications (JMPS)
Joint FAO/WHO Committee on Nutrition (JECN)
• Scientific advise through scientific expert bodies
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Current Areas of Focus in CAC • Some priority areas include:
MRLs for bovine somatotropin in cattle tissues
Draft MRLs for Ractopamine
Proposed draft guidelines on the approval of General Principles
of Food Hygiene to the control of viruses in food
Principles & GL for National Food Control Systems – draft
discussed at 18th Session of CCFICS held in March 2010
Proposal for establishment of a Committee on spices, aromatic
herbs and their formulations
• Other issues Traceability - Definition (adopted in 2004 at
27th CAC) and
Principles (adopted in 2006 at 29th CAC) – food recall
Risk analysis
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
New Technologies of Production Systems: Nanotechnologies
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Other Issues
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CAC Strategic Plan 2008-2013 : Strategic Goals
• Promoting sound regulatory frameworks • Promoting widest and
consistent application of
scientific principles and risk analysis • Strengthening Codex
work management
capabilities • Promoting cooperation between Codex &
relevant international organizations • Promoting maximum and
effective participation
of members
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CAC Strategic Plan 2014-2019:
• Presents the vision, goals, objectives for the CAC & is
supported by a more detailed work plan that includes activities,
milestones, & measurable indicators to track progress toward
accomplishment of the goals.
• Underpins the high priority placed on food safety &
quality by FAO/ WHO & ensures that CAC will carry out
responsibilities given to it by FAO/ WHO.
• Informs Members, inter-governmental & international
non-governmental organizations, & other stakeholders of how CAC
intends to fulfill its mandate to meet the needs & expectations
of its Members during the period 2014-2019.
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Draft Codex Strategic plan 2014-2019
• Vision: The CAC should be the pre-eminent international food
standards –setting body to protect the health of the consumers
& ensure fair practices in the food trade
• Core values - In fulfilling its strategic vision, Codex
adheres to core values that include, but are not limited to:
collaboration inclusiveness consensus building transparency
• Strategic goals: 4
• Work Plan - objectives, activities, responsible parties, time
lines, expected milestones, measurable indicators/ outputs
• Finalize mid March 2013
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Strategic Goal 1: Establish international food standards that
address current & emerging food
issues.
• Objective 1.1: Establish new & review existing food
standards, based on priorities of the CAC
• Objective 1.2: Proactively identify emerging issues &
member country needs &, where appropriate, develop relevant
food standards.
• Objective 1.3: Strengthen coordination & cooperation with
other international standards-setting organizations seeking to
avoid duplication of efforts & optimize opportunities.
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Strategic goal 2: Ensure the application of risk analysis
principles in the development of Codex
standards
• Objective 2.1: Ensure consistent use of scientific advice and
risk analysis principles.
• Objective 2.2: Achieve sustainable access to scientific
advice
• Objective 2.3: Increase scientific input from developing
countries
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Strategic goal 3 Facilitate the effective participation of all
Codex members
• Objective 3.1: Increase the effective participation of
developing countries in Codex.
• Objective 3.2: Promote capacity development programs that
assist countries in creating sustainable national Codex
structures.
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Strategic goal 4: Implement effective & efficient work
management systems &
practices
• Objective 4.1: Ensure an effective, efficient, transparent,
& flexible standard setting process for the timely adoption of
standards.
• Objective 4.2: Enhance capacity to arrive at consensus in
standards setting
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Codex - Golden jubilee • 50th anniversary of the Codex during
36th session during
2013
• 1st session in 1963 - 120 delegates from 30 countries +
observers from 16 International organizations
• 35th session in 2012- 37 international & Non Governmental
organizations
• Current number of member countries 185; Observers 205
• Unique opportunity to increase awareness about Codex
• Celebrate key achievements
• Look ahead and consider emerging issues and future challenges
and envisage how CAC could address them
• To promote Codex as the only acceptable form of international
food safety standards
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Codex Logo
• 35th session of CAC held during 2-7 July 2012 decided to
proceed with the development of a Codex Logo
• Why Logo?
- Establish recognizable visual identity
- increase visibility of CAC globally
- help promote the use of codex standards
- helps in the promotion of other codex activities
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Trust funds • Codex trust fund operated by FAO/WHO for
support
participation of LDC/ Developing countries
• Trust fund activities in the biennium Training workshop on
“Improving regional standards setting
process in CCASIA & enhancing collaboration in the region on
agreed priority areas”, 4 November 2012, Tokyo, Japan immediately
prior to CCASIA
Workshop on chemical risk assessment in food chain, Beijing,
China (Jan 2013)
• GIFSA (Global Initiative for food related Scientific advice)
multidonor trust fund – main focus will be to facilitate the extra
budgetary resources for scientific advice activities
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CCASIA meeting • 18th session of CCASIA, Tokyo, Japan, November
5-9, 2012.
• TORs of Regional Coordinating Committees
defines problems & needs of the region on food standards
& control;
promotes contacts – for mutual exchange of information on
proposed regulatory initiatives; problems arising from food
control; stimulates strengthening of food control
infrastructures;
Recommends (CAC) development of worldwide standards for products
of interest to region, incl those with int market potential;
develops regional standards for intra regional trade;
draws attention of CAC to its work of specific significance to
region;
promotes coordination of all regional food standards work
undertaken by international governmental/ NGOs within region;
exercises a general coordinating role for the region and such
other functions as may be entrusted to it by the Commission;
promotes use of Codex standards & related texts by
members.
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FAO Initiatives
• Provide scientific basis to Codex through independent
scientific expert Committees, meetings & consultations
• Development of guidelines & documents
• Communication & information Exchange mechanisms
• Capacity Building Initiatives
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Guidance/ Tools– Some egs
• Strengthening national food control systems: GLs to assess
capacity building needs -2006
• Risk-based food inspection manual (2008)
• FAO/WHO GLs for developing FSER plans (2010)
• FAO/WHO guide for application of risk analysis principles
& procedures during food safety emergencies (2011)
• Guidelines for Risk categorization of food and food
establishments applicable to ASEAN countries (2011)
• FAO/WHO Guide for developing and improving national food
recall systems (2012)
• Nano technologies - State of the art on the initiatives and
activities relevant to risk assessment & risk management of
nanotechnologies in the f&a sectors”
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Information exchange Mechanisms
• FAO food safety website: http://www.fao.org/ag/agn
• Codex web site: www.codexalimentarius.net
• Food safety portal: http://www.ipfsaph.org/En/default.jsp
• Infosan:
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/fs_management/infosan/en
• RAP Agriculture Food Systems website:
http://www.fao.org/asiapacific/rap/afs/about/en/
http://www.fao.org/ag/agnhttp://www.codexalimentarius.net/http://www.ipfsaph.org/En/default.jsphttp://www.who.int/foodsafety/fs_management/infosan/enhttp://www.who.int/foodsafety/fs_management/infosan/enhttp://www.fao.org/asiapacific/rap/afs/about/en/
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• Approximately 150 projects on food safety & quality being
delivered (national, regional, global) & number of tools &
GL finalized or in progress
• Broadly cover:
SPS/Codex capacity building
official food control systems (policy, legislation/ regulatory,
institutional development - e.g. Food control/ inspection,
laboratory capacity)
commodity issues (e.g. meat, seafood, fresh fruits and vegs –
safety, quality & value chains) – implementation of GP/FSMS
food safety emergency management
good food safety & agricultural practice guidelines -
linkage of primary production
FAO’s Food safety Capacity Building
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Regional Focus
• 31st FAO Regional Conference for the Asia & the Pacific
(March 2012) FAO was requested to assist member countries to
– enhance capacity for participation in the design of animal
health and food-safety standards
– harmonize food safety and quality standards in value chain
development
– strengthen legal and institutional frameworks that govern food
safety and quality in value chain development
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Some Recent & Ongoing CD activities in Asia
Regional projects:
• ASEAN - Support to CB & Implementation of International
Food Safety Standards in ASEAN Countries”(WS, training course, case
studies, guidance documents)
• GMS – Core Agricultural Support Programme (case studies, WS,
e-learning material)
• Promotion of rural development through development of
Geographical indications at regional level in Asia
Country Projects
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• Country Projects: Improving food safety in Bangladesh -
Strengthening
standard formulation based on risk assessment
Enhancing food safety lab capacity in primary production
(Thailand)
Policy assistance for bio-secure agro-food supply chain for
enhanced market access & food security for small holding rural
sector (Nepal)
Developing food law in Laos
Strengthening of Food Safety and Standards in Bhutan
Strengthening capacity of Mongolia to implement Codex
Cambodia : FAO /WHO project on control of microbial and
antimicrobial resistance (AMR) hazards along the poultry food chain
in Cambodia
CD Activities of FAO on Food Safety in Asia
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Bangladesh: Strengthened Capacity for
Standards Formulation based on Risk Assessment
• Activity 2.1 Strengthening National Codex Contact
Point with effective participation by various
governments/stakeholders
• Activity 2.2 Strengthening the capacity of national standards
development with single standard for specific product/process &
clear access/availability
• Activity 2.3 Establishment & strengthening of a
risk-analysis capacity across Government agencies to be able to
support the development of food safety measures & standards
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Bhutan: Strengthening of food safety & standards
• Output 1: Standards for prioritised foods in harmony with
Codex
Standardization structure developed, food commodities/ areas
prioritized for standardization, draft standards developed
• Output 2: Food Safety Policy Document & revised Food Rules
& Regns
• Output 3: Capacity of BAFRA strengthened in risk-based food
inspection
System for risk based inspection developed – protocols/ manual,
etc
Food safety database system developed
Food Handlers Training manuals – various food businesses
Training of inspectors on food handlers training
Consumer awareness (material & trainings)
• Output 4: Enhanced Capacity of BAFRA to supervise, certify
& accredit various certification systems.
System of approvals & certification developed
Awareness for targeted food industries & officials on FSMS
impln
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Mongolia:Strengthening capacity to implement Codex
• Outcome - Codex standards/ codes implemented at national level
&
Mongolia actively participates in CAC activities
• Outputs
1. National Policy & Strategy for Codex implementation
2. Institutional capacity for Codex improved – NCC restructured
& Subcommittees/ Secretariat/ Technical advisory groups &
working procedures established. Stakeholders involved in Codex
activities on continuous basis.
3. Technical capacity of NCC members improved - training on
identified subjects to enhance participation of Mongolia in Codex
activities.
4. Importance of Codex standards for stakeholders improved -
identifying & translating priority standards for food
production/ control system & organizing WSs for food
producers/traders.
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• Regional consultation on Guidelines for Development of Food
Safety Policy for countries in Asia
• Regional Training Workshop on Implementing GAP in Fruit and
Vegetable Sector, its Certification and Accreditation
• Pre CCASIA Training WS on “Understanding Regional
Standards”
• Technical workshop on chemical risk analysis in the food
chain
• Private standards - FAO Food Safety/ Quality programme in the
age of Private food standards
• ASEAN – Principles & activities for Codex Implementation
(17-19 September)
• Traceability and recall
• Urban and peri-urban agriculture
• Others - retail sector (India), INFOSAN
Workshops/ seminars
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THANK YOU
Any Questions?