Workshop on SPS Coordination 17 October 2011 Codex

Workshop on SPS Coordination 17 October 2011 Codex Alimentarius Commission Standard-setting Procedures Selma H. Doyran Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme FAO – Nutrition and Consumer Protection Division

1 Commission decides to initiate new work 2 Proposed draft standard prepared 3 Written comments 4 Session: discussion/amendments 5 Adoption as a draft standard 6 Written comments 7 Session: discussion/amendments 8 Adoption by the Commission Possible Omission

Benefits and weaknesses of the procedures • General: possibility to comment at all stages of the process prior to – the committees (Step 3 and 6) and the Commission (Steps 5 and 8): inclusiveness and transparency – Issue: possible length of the process – management of large quantity of comments submitted shortly before the Committee • Decision to initiate new work – Criteria –project document -coordination of the overall programme of work in the Executive Committee – possible issue: rigidity of the process, need for approval even for limited amendments –however, this is for decision by the Commission

Benefits and weaknesses of the procedures • Food safety: structured risk analysis process based risk analysis principles and policies to ensure the scientific basis of standards: – Working Principles for Risk Analysis (general) and specific principles: pesticides, additives/ contaminants, veterinary drugs, food hygiene • Issues: ensuring the continuity of the scientific advice, addressing emerging issues – how scientific advice is used by risk managers

Concerns: delays in the process • The procedure allows standards to be developed very rapidly: example: the large majority of MRLs for pesticide residues are developed in one year. Main issues are not related to the procedure but rather to other aspects: – Lack of consensus – Use of risk assessment (from expert committees) by risk managers (committees): lack of clarity, delays due to further request for advice – Endorsement by general committees (additives, labelling): standards referred back to the originating committee

Questions under consideration • How to proceed when Standards and related texts are held at Step 8 (currently 2 MRLs for veterinary drugs are held at Step 8) • Consideration of statements of economic impact (currently the Elaboration Procedures includes a general reference in this respect) Next session of the Committee on General Principles : April 2012 • Risk Analysis Principles applied by the Committee on Pesticide Residues (revision)