ALINORM 03/26/1 - codex - BSN

38 REP12/CAC
266. The Delegation of Denmark, speaking on behalf of the member states of the EU present at the session,
thanked all organizations for their collaborative activities with Codex, and called for close cooperation and
coordination with these organizations in particular the three sisters in the area of food safety and the
WTO/SPS Agreement to avoid gaps or overlapping and prevent barriers to trade. He also acknowledged the
collaborative work with the IAEA in particular following the nuclear accident in Japan.
B. Relations between the Codex Alimentarius Commission and International Non-governmental
Organizations
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
267. The Observer of ISO recalled that ISO International Standards are developed according to principles
stipulated by the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, especially transparency, openness,
impartiality and consensus and highlighted several areas of common interest and cooperation with Codex, as
well as ISO technical assistance to developing countries. In this perspective, ISO organized, in cooperation
with Codex, FAO, OIE and the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), a regional workshop on safe and
sustainable fisheries in September 2011 in Indonesia. Thirteen countries (with representatives of national
standards institutes, government and industry) from East and South East Asia participated in this regional
workshop, which was an opportunity to demonstrate each organization’s complementarity, and together
provide a valuable service to all stakeholders.
268. ISO organized, in cooperation with the Codex, OIE and UNIDO a regional workshop on Standards
contribution to the food sector in Africa, in Nairobi, Kenya, in April 2012. Thirty-five African countries were
invited as well as countries from other parts of the world. The 120 participants (from National
Standardization Bodies, governments and industry) were provided useful information about food safety in
different food sectors and could share their experiences and knowledge, thus to benchmark the different
national practices. This workshop enhanced awareness of participants in terms of food safety and the role of
the different international organizations.
269. The Observer indicated that ISO was cooperating with AOAC concerning work on methods of
analysis for infant formula and foods for infant and children.
270. The Observer highlighted the work of the ISO Conformity Assessment Committee (ISO CASCO)
noting that ISO did not assess conformity but provided guidance to its members on how to carry out
conformity assessment, and recalled that Codex had liaison status with ISO CASCO.
Conclusion
271. The Commission expressed its appreciation to all international organizations that had provided
information on their activities relevant to Codex work and looked forward to further cooperation and
partnership that would result in mutual benefits for them and Codex. In this regard, the Commission recalled
that three new organizations had been granted observer status with Codex as indicated in the report of the
67 th Executive Committee, which should further enhance the objective of the Commission to coordinate food
standards work.
ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSONS (Agenda Item 14) 50
272. The Commission elected the following persons to hold office from the end of its present Session to the
end of the next regular (36 th ) Session of the Commission.
Chairperson: Mr Sanjay DAVE (India)
Vice-Chairpersons: Dr Samuel GODEFROY (Canada)
Mrs Awilo OCHIENG PERNET (Switzerland)
Professor Samuel SEFA-DEDEH (Ghana)
DESIGNATION OF COUNTRIES RESPONSIBLE FOR APPOINTING THE CHAIRPERSONS OF
CODEX COMMITTEES AND TASK FORCES (Agenda Item 15) 51
273. The Commission confirmed the designation of the Host Governments as listed in the Appendix VIII to
this report.
50 CX/CAC 12/35/17.
51 CX/CAC 12/35/18.