GUIDELINES FOR CODEX COMMITTEES (Section G)
Composition of Codex Committees (P. 67)
Observers
(last sentence)
“International organizations which have formal relations with either FAO or WHO should also be invited to attend in an observer capacity sessions of those Codex Committees which are of interest to them. Other recognized international organizations may also be invited to attend in an observer capacity sessions of those Codex Committees which are of interest to them”.
Preparation and distribution of papers
(b) (after last sentence)
The Secretariat shall not be responsible for the publication of Circular Letter comments from member countries, observer countries and international organizations pertaining to Agenda Items for Codex Committees later than one month from the opening of the Committee session.
GUIDELINES FOR THE INCLUSION OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS IN CODEX STANDARDS AND RELATED TEXTS (Section H)
Principles for the Establishment and Application of Microbiological Criteria to Foods
Deleted
Guidelines for the Use of Codex Committees on the Inclusion of Provisions on Nutritional Quality in Food Standards and Other Codex Texts
Deleted
CRITERIA FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WORK PRIORITIES: AND FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION (Section J)
New Work to be undertaken by Existing Subsidiary Bodies
1. When a Codex Committee proposes to elaborate a standard, code of practice or related text within its terms of reference, it should first consider the priorities established by the Commission in the Medium-Term Plan of Work, any specific relevant strategic project currently being undertaken by the Commission and the prospect of completing the work within a reasonable period of time. It should also assess the proposal against the criteria set out in paragraph 4, below.
15 Proposed new text is presented in italics.
2. If the proposal falls in an area outside the Committee's terms of reference the proposal should be reported to the Commission in writing together with proposals for such amendments to the Committee's terms of reference as may be required.
New Work which may Require the Establishment of a New Subsidiary Body
3. When a Member wishes to propose the elaboration of a standard, code of practice or related text in an area not covered by the terms of reference of any existing subsidiary body, it should accompany its proposal with a written statement to the Commission referring to the Commission's Medium-Term Objectives and containing, as far as practicable, the information required by the appropriate section of paragraph 4, below.
RELATIONS BETWEEN COMMODITY COMMITTEES AND GENERAL SUBJECT COMMITTEES (SECTION K)
Food Additives and Contaminants
Third paragraph (p. 114)
In preparing working papers for the Codex Committee on Food Additives, the Secretariat should make a report to the Committee concerning the endorsement of provisions for food additives (including processing aids), on the basis of the General Principles for the Use of Food Additives. Provisions for food additives should indicate the INS number, the ADI, technological justification, proposed level, and whether the additive was previously endorsed (or temporarily endorsed)
Sections (i), (ii) and (iii) (pages 114–115): deleted and integrated into the General Principles for the Use of Food Additives.
2) First paragraph p. 115 “When commodity standards are sent to governments for comments at Step 3, they should contain a statement that the provisions” in respect of food additives and contaminants are subject to endorsement by the Codex Committee on Food Additives and to incorporation into the General Standard for Food Additives or the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food
Second paragraph and Sections (i) to (v) on page 114–115: delete and replace with
When establishing provisions for food additives, Codex committees should follow the General Principles for the Use of Food Additives and the Preamble of the General Standard for Food Additives. Full explanation should be provided for any departure from the above recommendations
When an active commodity committee exists, proposals for the use of additives in any commodity standard under consideration should be prepared by the committee concerned, and forwarded to the CCFAC for endorsement. When the CCFAC decides not to endorse specific additives provisions (use of the additive, or level in the end-product), the reason should be clearly stated. The section under consideration should be referred back to the Committee concerned if further information is needed, or for information if the CCFAC decides to amend the provision.
When no active commodity committee exists, proposals for new additive provisions or amendment of existing provisions, should be forwarded directly by member countries to the CCFAC.
