Codex Alimentarius Committees

The Codex Alimentarius Commission includes the Executive Committeeб coordinating regional committees and 16 different subsidiary committees.

The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of Codex comprises the Chair, three vice Chairs, six regional coordinators and seven elected representatives from the various geographical groups of Codex. Between sessions, the Executive Committee acts as the Executive organ of the Commission.

In particular, the Executive Committee can make proposals to the Commission regarding general orientation, strategic planning, and programming of the work of the Commission.

The Executive Committee assists in the management of the Commission’s programme of standards development by conducting a "critical review" of proposals to undertake work and monitoring the progress of standards development.

Regional Coordinating Committees

There are six Codex regions each represented by a joint FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committee. Each committee is responsible for defining the problems and needs of the region concerning food standards and food control. By working collectively at the regional level countries are able to highlight regulatory issues and problems arising from food control in order to strengthen food control infrastructures.

Regional Coordinators

left to right Kenya, India, Kazakhstan, Chile, Vanuatu, Iran

Standards

The regions can recommend to the Commission the development of global standards for products of interest to the region, including products considered by the Committee to have an international market potential in the future. Regions can also develops regional standards for food products moving exclusively or almost exclusively within a particular region.

Advisory Role

Regional committees can draw the attention of the Commission to any aspects of the Commission's work of particular significance to the region and promote coordination of all regional food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations within the region.

Coordination and implementation of Codex standards

These committees play a general coordinating role for the region and respond to requests by the Commission. They also work to promote the acceptance of Codex standards and maximum limits for residues by member countries.

Subsidiary Codex bodies

General Subject Committees

General subject committees develop General Standards, Guidelines and Codes of Practice which are applied transversely to all products and product categories. These texts deal with hygienic practice, labelling, additives, inspection & certification, nutrition and residues of veterinary drugs and pesticides.

Commodity Committees

Codex commodity standards define the physical and chemical characteristics of nearly 200 traded products – from apples and wheat to frozen fish and bottled water.