The Codex Alimentarius (Codex) was established by the FAO and WHO in 1963. It develops harmonised international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice, based on sound scientific principles and advice to protect the health of the consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

Codex is an intergovernmental body that:

  • develops international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice
  • protects consumer health
  • ensures fair trade practices in food trade
  • encourages international government and non-government organisations to coordinate their food standards.

For more information about how this food safety programme came about, please click here.

Why Codex is Important

Codex is important because the food safety policies developed are considered international best practice and most countries will implement these, helping to create a level playing field for trade between countries. This means it is critical that the policies developed at Codex are appropriate for the Australian situation.

SafeFish Technical Input

SafeFish coordinates the production of technical advice in conjunction with and on behalf of industry to Codex Australia. This advice is then used by the Australian delegations to assist in representing Australia’s position at Codex meetings. The process that SafeFish undertakes to elicit this advice is detailed below:

  • Scoping issues of relevance to the Australian seafood sector from the Codex agenda of upcoming meetings
  • Eliciting feedback from industry and technical experts on high priority draft Codex papers associated with the Codex agenda
  • Developing technical briefs on key agenda items
  • Providing technical briefs to industry and expert stakeholders for review, additions and comment as well as incorporating feedback where possible/feasible
  • Liaising with Codex Australia and Department of Agriculture on the brief and incorporating Government feedback
  • Discussing the SafeFish briefs and any unresolved issues at Codex Panel meetings
  • Whilst standards, guidelines and codes of practice produced by Codex are not legally binding, they provide a template for laws and are used by the World Trade Organization (WTO) as an agreed benchmark in global trade disputes.
  • Supporting Australian Delegations at Codex with technical representation where appropriate and required.

For access to any of the technical briefs that have been prepared, please contact the SafeFish Secretariat.