CODEX UPDATE TO THE TBT COMMITTEE
INFORMATION
PROVIDED BY THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION
(CODEX)
This
document contains information provided by CODEX at the TBT Committee meeting of
5‑8 November 2024 under Agenda Item 6 (Update by Observers).
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1 INTERNATIONAL
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
1.1 27th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export
Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS27, Cairns, Australia, 16–20
September 2024)
1.1. CCFICS27
continues to work on
·_
consolidating existing
guidelines concerning equivalence to look into the opportunity to consolidate
different Codex texts available on equivalence into a single document;
·_
updating the Principles for Traceability/Product Tracing as a Tool
within a Food Inspection and Certification System (CXG 60-2006); and
·_
finalizing outstanding
issues in the guidelines for the prevention and control of food fraud.
1.2. CCFICS27 agreed on the following new work for approval by CAC47:
·_
Development of guidance on a uniform appeal
mechanism for rejecting imported food to ensure fair practices in the food
trade.
·_
Development of high-level guiding principles for
digitalizing national food control systems (NFCSs).
·_
Revision of the Principles
and Guidelines for the Exchange of Information between Importing and Exporting
Countries to Support the Trade in Food (CXG 89-2016) to harmonize
the use, development, and implementation of establishment listings.
1.2 36th Session of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP36, by correspondence, 7–17 October 2024)
1.3. CCFFP36 agreed
to forward the amendment of the Standard for
canned sardines and sardine-type products (CXS 94-1981) to include
an additional fish species i.e., Sardinella
lemuru in the list of Sardinella
species for adoption by CAC47.
1.3 48th Session of the
Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL48, Quebec, Canada, 27 October – 1
November 2024)
1.3.1 Work on the use of technology in food labelling
1.4. CCFL48 completed work on guidelines to provide food information for
pre-packaged foods to be offered via e-commerce and guidelines for using
technology to provide food information in food labelling. These guidelines were
developed to respond to the changing way consumers buy food (online purchases)
and how information is provided to consumers other than through a label on the
food (new technologies). Both guidelines are for final adoption by CAC47.
1.3.2 Work on food allergens declaration for the purposes of food
labelling
1.5. CCFL48 also made progress on precautionary allergen labelling and
finalized amendments to the General Standard
for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (CXS 1-1985) to include
revised lists of foods or ingredients that may trigger allergenic reactions
that must appear on a food label, taking on board the latest scientific advice
and information. The work will allow for harmonization in international trade
while acknowledging regional and national differences for some allergens.
1.6. The provisions relevant to allergen labelling are tabled for final
adoption by CAC47 (Annex to CXS 1-1985). Work on precautionary allergens
continues for further consideration by the next session of the Committee.
1.3.3 Work on alcohol labelling
1.7. CCFL48 also discussed alcohol labelling. No member country showed
interest at this time in leading new work, but health issues around alcohol
consumption were acknowledged. The Committee noted that current Codex labelling
texts could address some of the concerns, as the Codex's definition of food
includes alcoholic beverages. The Committee will keep this topic on the list of
possible future work should a member country wish to bring forward a proposal
for new work.
1.3.4 Work on food labelling in emergencies
1.8. CCFL48 agreed to propose new work on food labelling in emergencies
for approval by CAC47. This work is based on lessons learnt from COVID-19, when
exemptions in emergency situations might be needed to keep the flow of supply
chains. Therefore, harmonized guidelines are necessary to avoid trade barriers
and not compromise consumers' health.
2 FORTHCOMING CODEX MEETINGS OF TBT RELEVANCE
2.1 47th Session of the Codex Alimentarius
Commission (CAC47, Geneva, Switzerland, 25‑30 November 2024)
2.1. Some issues relevant to the TBT Committee relate
to developing new global commodity standards for camel milk and millet and the
possible mechanisms for their development, discussion on labelling of country
of origin/country of harvesting, etc.
References
2.2. Working documents, including the report for this session, are available
on the Codex webpage: CCFICS27, CCFFP36, and CCFL48.
2.3. Regular updates on the status of the work of
the Commission are published on its dedicated webpage: CAC47.
2.4. For specific questions on the status of work
in Codex committees of interest to SPS delegates, please check the dedicated
webpages or email codex@fao.org.
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