INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES
Communication from the Codex Alimentarius Commission
(codex)
The following communication,
received on 19 October 2022, is being circulated at the
request of the Codex secretariat.
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1 Codex meetings held since the last session of the SPS Committee (22‑24 june
2022)
1.1 82nd Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex
Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC82, Virtual, 20-30 June 2022)
1.1.1 Application of the Statements of Principle Concerning the Role of
Science in the Codex Decision-Making Process and the extent to which other
factors are taken into account (SoP)
1.1. CCEXEC continues its efforts to develop practical guidance to
support the operationalization of the SoP. Following substantial work in 2022,
CCEXEC83 will consider the latest version of the guidance and a related
flowchart which aims to provide clarity around some key terms such as 'Other
legitimate factors', 'Other considerations' and 'Abstain from acceptance'; a
description of the sequence of considerations that a committee or the
Commission applies when faced with a proposal to advance or adopt a standard or
related text, possible scenarios they might face during this phase and the
options available to Chairpersons in different situations
1.1.2 60th Anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
1.2. The central theme of World Food Safety Day (WFSD) 2023 will be
around standards and Codex together with FAO and WHO will hold an event around
June 7 to celebrate Codex@60. Another event will take place in conjunction with
the Commission in November 2023.
1.3. A special anniversary edition of the CODEX Magazine in 2023 will
include articles on, for example, the history of the committees, some of the
key standards that Codex has developed over the past 60 years and a look at
both Codex past achievements and the future. Given the close relationship with
the SPS Sgreement, the Codex Secretariat welcomes input from the SPS Committee
on engagement to celebrate Codex@60.
1.4. An update of the design of the Codex Alimentarius texts is ongoing,
not only in terms of visual design but the way in which they are cited and
referenced to ensure they are fit for purpose and digitally robust for the next
60 years. Discussion and idea sharing on how to mark Codex@60 have been ongoing
in recent Coordinating Committee meetings and CCEXEC82 encouraged Members and
Observers to fully engage in early planning to identify their own contributions
to this event.