At the heart of the Codex mandate are the core values of collaboration, inclusiveness, consensus building and transparency. Governmental and non-governmental, public and private organizations alike play a vital role in ensuring Codex texts are of the highest quality and based on sound science.
Codex would have little authority in the field of international standard setting if it did not welcome and acknowledge the valuable contributions made by observers. Expert technical bodies, industry and consumer associations
contribute to the standard-setting process in a spirit of openness, collaboration and transparency.
Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can apply for observer status in Codex in order to attend and put forward their views at every stage of the standard-setting process.
Observer news
26 February 2020
WTO / Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement encourages participation in Codex
21 February 2020
Pesticide residues / Training in Chile strengthening expertise in the region
17 February 2020
Codex Trust Fund / Supporting import control systems in Madagascar
09 February 2020
WHO / Draft resolution shows Codex standards can make a powerful contribution to food safety
06 February 2020
EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed / 40 years of keeping consumers safe
03 February 2020
Coronavirus / Codex Committee on Food Additives meeting in China postponed
29 January 2020
Coronavirus / Codex monitoring situation for additives and pesticide meetings in China
19 January 2020
Ministers commit to strengthening the role of standard setting organizations
17 January 2020
Global Forum for Food and Agriculture discusses importance of shaping international trade for the benefit of all
15 January 2020
Gyanendra Gongal appointed WHO Regional Adviser for food safety in South-East Asia
Codex and Observer
Food is a sensitive commodity, which has travelled
around the world since ancient times.
We might not always know where it comes from,
but we expect it to be available, safe and of good quality.
around the world since ancient times.
We might not always know where it comes from,
but we expect it to be available, safe and of good quality.