CAC49 / Side event explores approaches to implementation of Codex standards with Codex observers
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At a side event to the 49th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, a panel of Codex Observers discussed what moderator Giuseppe Di Chiera described in his introduction as the “true measure of the success of Codex: the implementation of standards”.
The panel consisted of organizations from different food sectors and different parts of the world that encourage and benefit from the implementation of Codex standards, guidelines and codes of practice.
To kick things off, Christiane Wolff, Counsellor and Head of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) section of the World Trade Organization, was asked to explain why implementation of Codex standards is so important. She reminded listeners that World Trade Organization Members, through the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), are strongly encouraged to base their food safety measures on Codex standards. “If each Member adopts a different maximum residue limit for a pesticide, for example, even if they are based on science, if the limits are different then trade costs become very high,” she said.
Other panel members were asked just how they set about encouraging and supporting the implementation of Codex texts. Jean Christophe Kremer, Secretary-General of International Special Dietary Foods Industries (ISDI) was asked to talk about his organization’s new website that collates information on test methods for foods for special dietary purposes. He explained that this initiative offers a bridge between reading a standard and actually using it. “It helpsmake it easier for users to find the specific methods to use,as validated by Codex,”he explained, and “helps to test the complexity of ingredients in products.” Shahrila Ishak from Food Industry Asia (FIA) also described how they help to bridge the same gap between the adoption of a text and then its implementation. “This requires collaboration, knowledge and practical support,” she said, and went on to describe the three pillars of FIA’s work. These are: building capacity, building knowledge and building partnerships. She added that FIA makes use of artificial intelligence to introduce efficiencies into their analyses of Codex work.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) focuses on the facilitation of the trade of fruits and vegetables. Csaba Gaspar explained that for OECD, Codex standards are benchmark standards and thus the organization works on interpreting Codex standards and encouraging implementation. OECD supports its members by producing explanatory brochures based on specific Codex commodity standards. Going one step further, OECD then presents the brochures to Codex, thus explaining the practicalities of implementation to the standard-setting body. For Quincy Lassaur from the global, non-profit, public-private partnership on food trade, SSAFE, “Food safety starts at Codex”. He explained the crucial role of Codex standards in the global food trade. He cited food labelling as good example where harmonization helps the food industry develop multi market products and introduces greater predictability and stability into imports and exports of food.
Christiane Wolff agreed on the importance of this harmonization, commenting that this is one of the key objectives of the SPS Agreement. She mentioned her colleagues in the Standards and Trade Development Facility,(STDF), which is Hosted by WTO, and STDF’s Marlynne Hopper, who was in the audience asked the panel if their experiences suggested any approaches for supporting implementation “on the ground”. By and large, the response was “capacity building’. Quincy Lassaur highlighted the potential in Africa that is currently stymied though the absence of a harmonized regulatory framework. “Not everything needs to be new”, he said, pointing out that what is currently known ad available simply needs to be applied in a systematic way. Shahrila Ishak (FIA) brought up the issue of misinformation, highlighting public suspicion around food additives in particular.
The subsequent conversation then revolved around the need for improved communication on food safety issues generally and on Codex texts in particular.
Wrapping up after an extended discussion, Codex Secretary, Sarah Cahill, said that with thousands of Codex texts available, “we need all the help we can get” with regards to dissemination and implementation. “When we grant observer status to organizations,” she said,“we are asking those organizations to help with dissemination and implementation of Codex texts”. The Codex Secretary acknowledged the need to be more connected and communicate to others. “We need to make sure those who need support for implementation get it,” she concluded.
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