G/SPS/GEN/2064  
20 October 2022 
(22-7860) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION (CODEX)  
The following communication, received on 19 October 2022, is being c irculated at the request of 
the Codex  secretariat.  
 
_______________  
 
 
1  CODEX MEETINGS HELD SINCE THE LAST SESSION OF THE SPS COMMITTEE 
(22-24 JUNE  2022) 
1.1  82nd Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission 
(CCEXEC82, Virtual, 20 -30 June 2022)  
1.1.1   Application of the Statements of Principle Concerning the Role of Science in the 
Codex Decision -Making Process and the extent to which other factors are taken into 
account (SoP)  
1.1.  CCEXEC continues its efforts to develop practical guidance to support the operationalization of 
the SoP. Following substantial work in 2022, CCE XEC83 will consider the latest version of the 
guidance and a related flowchart which aims to provide clarity around some key terms such as 'Other 
legitimate factors', 'Other considerations' and 'Abstain from acceptance'; a description of the 
sequence of co nsiderations that a committee or the Commission applies when faced with a proposal 
to advance or adopt a standard or related text, possible scenarios they might face during this phase 
and the options available to Chairpersons in different situations  
1.1.2   60th Anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission  
1.2.  The central theme of World Food Safety Day (WFSD) 2023 will be around standards and Codex 
together with FAO and WHO will hold an event around June 7 to celebrate Codex@60. Another event 
will take place in conjunction with the Commission in November 2023.  
1.3.  A special anniversary edition of the CODEX Magazine in 2023 will include articles on, for 
example, the history of the committees, some of the key standards that Codex has developed over 
the past 60 years an d a look at both Codex past achievements  and the future. Given the close 
relationship with the SPS Sgreement, the Codex Secretariat welcomes input from the SPS Committee 
on engagement to celebrate Codex@60.  
1.4.  An update of the design of the Codex Alimentarius  texts is ongoing , not only in terms of visual 
design but the way in which they are cited and referenced to ensure they are fit for purpose and 
digitally robust for the next 60 years. Discussion and idea sharing on how to mark Codex@60 have 
been ongoing in  recent Coordinating Committee meetings and CCEXEC82 encouraged Members and 
Observers to fully engage in early planning to identify their own contributions to this event.  
1.1.3   New food sources and production systems: need for Codex attention and guidance  
1.5.  CCEXE8 2 considered the issue based on inputs from members and observers, noted the breath 
of the subject and as a result there would likely be different approaches to addressing such issues 
in Codex.  G/SPS/GEN/2064  
 
- 2 - 
 
  1.6.  Some Codex texts such as those related to food hygiene and foo d labelling would already cover 
a number of issues related to new food, as they currently do for other foods. CCEXEC recognized 
that ongoing work on this matter in CCEXEC did not preclude committees from undertaking new 
work falling within their respective  mandates. This issue will be further discussed at CCEXEC83 and 
CAC45 in November 2022.  
1.1.4   The Future of Codex  
1.7.  Leading up to the 60th anniversary and following the experience during the COVID -19 pandemic 
and the need to be flexible and resilient for the futur e, Codex is considering what its future should 
look like both in terms of working modalities and the type of work it undertakes (e.g. new food 
sources). Following consultations with Members, a blueprint for the future will be prepared for 
consideration by CAC 46 in 2023.  
1.1.5   Monitoring the use and impact of Codex standards  
1.8.  The Codex Secretariat, in collaboration with FAO and WHO evaluation offices, are working on 
a mechanism to measure the use and impact of Codex standards which will progress in three 
direction s: 
− A survey on the use of selected Codex texts and their impact to all Codex members  to be 
developed and issued annually ; 
− Work with the WTO Secretariat to explore a collaborative monitoring and reporting 
framework in which Codex texts have been highlighted  in trade negotiations, SPS  and 
TBT notifications, specific trade concerns, and disputes, but also for disputes that were 
prevented thanks to Codex texts. The Codex Secretariat approached the SPS Secretary for 
preliminary talks on potential collaboration. These will continue, also in collaboration with 
the other standard -setting organizations ; 
− Tailored case studies to assess the use and impact of specific Codex texts within the context 
of a member country or observer.  
1.9.  CCEXEC82 recognized the benefits and challenges in monitoring the use and impact of Codex 
texts, and the importance of engagement as the process evolved and of periodic review and 
endorsed the approach for building the Codex monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework, with 
pilotin g in 2022 and consideration of preliminary results by CCEXEC83 and CAC45.  
1.10.   Working documents, including the report, of CCEXEC sessions are available on the Codex 
website:  https://www.fao.org/fao -who-codexalimentarius/committees/executive -
committee/meetings/en/ . 
1.11.   Additional information on the monitoring the use and impact of Codex 
standards:  https://www.fao.org/fao -who-codexalimentarius/resources/monitoring/tr/ . 
1.2  53rd Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR53, Virtual, 
4-13 July 2022)  
1.2.1   Matters for adoption by CAC  
1.2.1.1   Establishment of MRLs for different combin ations of pesticides and commodities  
1.12.   CCPR finalized several MRLs for pesticide/commodity combinations (food and feed) for final 
adoption with the subsequent revocation of associated CXLs (Codex Maximum Residue Limits for 
Pesticides previously adopted by CA C). 
1.2.1.2   Development of Guidelines for the recognition of active substances or authorized 
uses of active substances of low public health concern that are considered exempted from 
the establishment of maximum residue limits or do not give rise to residues  
1.13.   CCPR finalized the Guidelines for final adoption.  G/SPS/GEN/2064  
 
- 3 - 
 
  1.14.   The Guidelines provide a harmonized set of criteria for the establishment of lists of 
biopesticides. This would enable harmonization of such lists amongst countries to prevent/reduce 
misalignments of national le gislation and to aid trade flow.  
1.2.1.3   Revision of the Classification of Food and Feed  
1.15.   CCPR revised Class D – Processed Food Commodities of Plant Origin to allow the inclusion of 
additional commodities i.e. certain citrus fruits pulps (dried) and oils (edible) as well as soya flour.  
1.16.   These additions will allow establishment of MRLs for these  commodities.  
1.2.1.4   Harmonization of descriptors for edible tissues of animal origin (fat, offal and 
meat/muscle) between the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues and the Codex 
Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods for the establishment of harmoniz ed 
MRLs for compounds with dual use as pesticide and veterinary drug  
1.17.   CCPR harmonized the definitions for the previously mentioned tissues, including the 
description of the portion of the commodity to which the MRL applies and which is analyzed for 
adoption  and inclusion in the Classification of Food and Feed (CXA 4 -1989).  
1.18.   These definitions are now the same for CCPR and CCRVDF. This will avoid the establishment 
of two MRLs for the same combination compound/commodity to facilitate enforcement and fair 
practic es in trade while protecting human health.  
1.2.1.5   Revocation of the Guidelines on the Use of Mass Spectrometry for the 
Identification, Confirmation and Quantitative Determination of Residues (CXG 56 -2005)  
1.19.   CCPR recommended revocation of the Guidelines on the use o f mass spectrometry for the 
identification, confirmation and quantitative determination of pesticide residues  (CXG 56 -2005) by 
CAC. 
1.20.   The Guidelines on Performance Criteria of Pesticide Residues in Food and Feed  (CXG 90 -2017) 
is a more updated document and s ufficiently covers MAS. Any necessary update on this or other 
analyt ical techniques can be considered in future based on new development in science and 
technology.  
1.2.2   Matters for information  to CAC 
1.2.2.1   Mitigation of trade impacts associated with the use of enviro nmental inhibitors in 
agriculture  
1.21.   CCPR agreed to consider environmental inhibitors on an ad hoc basis within its mandate and 
established procedures.  
1.22.   This decision is in line with Goal 1 of the Codex Strategic Plan 2020 -2025 – To address current, 
emerging a nd critical issues in a timely manner and the relevant SDGs indicated in the Strategic 
Plan and the recommendation of CCEXEC82 related to its step wise work on new food sources and 
production systems.  
1.2.2.2   Enhancement of work management of CCPR and JMPR  
1.23.   CCPR co mpleted guidance for engagement of JMPR in parallel reviews of new compounds 
between JMPR and national registration agencies in the context of global reviews of new compounds.  
1.24.   This document is part of the ongoing efforts to improve work management of CCPR and JMPR 
for increased establishment of MRLs for pesticides. The guidance is expected to s peed up the process 
of establishment MRLs and to facilitate their harmonization at a n early stage of their development 
and uptake by Codex members.  G/SPS/GEN/2064  
 
- 4 - 
 
  1.25.   Other ongoing unde rtakings in CCPR to enhance work management of CCPR and JMPR for the 
establishment of MRLs for pesticides can be found in the report of the last session of CCPR.  
1.26.   Working documents, including the report, of CCPR sessions are available on the Codex 
website:  https://www.fao.org/fao -who-codexalimentarius/committees/committee/related -
meetings/en/?committee=CCPR . 
2  FORTHCOMING CODEX MEETINGS OF SPS  RELEVANCE (AS OF SEPTEMBER  2022 . SEE 
THE CODEX WEBSITE FOR THE FULL MEETING CALENDAR)  
2.1  CCEXEC and CAC  
− 83rd Session of the Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC83, 
Virtual, 14 -18 November 2022)  
− 45th Session of the Codex Alimentari us Commission (CAC45, Rome, Italy, 21 November – 
13 December 2022 (remote participation will also be possible))  
2.2  International committee meetings  
− 53rd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH53, San Diego, United States 
of America, 29 November – 2 December 2022)  
− 26th Session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF26, 
Portland, Oregon, United States of America, 13 –17 February 2023)  
2.3  Regional committee meetings  
− 22nd Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Asia (CCASIA22, Virtual, 
12-18 October 2022)  
− 22nd Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean 
(CCLAC22, Virtual, 24 –28 October 2022)  
− 16th Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for Nor th America and South West 
Pacific (CCNASWP16, 30 January – 3 February 2023)  
CCASIA, CCLAC and CCNASWP will discuss issues related to the use of Codex standards in 
the region and other issues important to the region in all Codex committees which may 
include  also SPS related matters.  
2.1.  Regular updates on the status of work of these Committees are published on their dedicated 
webpages: CCASIA22 , CCLAC22 , CCEXEC83 , CAC45  and CCFH53 . 
2.2.  For specific questions on the status of work in Codex commi ttees of interest to SPS delegates 
please check the dedicated webpages or send an email to codex@fao.org . 
3  GENERAL  
3.1.  The Codex secretariat in collaboration with Host Country Secretariats are continuing to convene 
working g roup meetings and webinars in advance of Codex subsidiary sessions to support 
delegations' preparations and facilitate discussions and consensus -building. Further information is 
available on the Committee webpages and the Codex calendar . 
 
__________