24th Edition of Codex Procedural Manual published

The Procedural Manual of the Codex Alimentarius Commission describes the legal foundations and practical functioning of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies.

Following the 38th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission held in July 2015, the following amendments were made to the Procedural Manual.

Limits for pesticides in minor crops

Some crops are considered of major importance for food security. These include wheat, rice, maize, potato, sweet potato, soybean, sugar crops, and banana/plantain. Minor crops can include millets, roots and tubers (other than the ones listed above), tree nuts (except coconut), and certain fruits and vegetables such as dates, guavas, shallots and mushrooms. These "minor" crops are defined as globally minor based on consumption levels, but may actually be sub-regionally or nationally major and considered as a staple food in some countries or regions.

The changes to the procedural manual allow member countries to carry out a minimum number of trials in order to establish maximum residue levels for pesticides than would otherwise be the case for major crops, which will require a greater number of trials.

The new Annex D to the Risk Analysis Principles applied by the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues in the procedural manual, now provides the guidance necessary to facilitate this process.

Terms of Reference of the Committee on General Principles.

This committee, established in 1965 and hosted by France, deals with procedural and general matters.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission has adopted the revised terms of reference for this committee which can be seen on the committee page.

Procedures for new work or to revise a standard.

This text has been amended so that when either new work, or revisions, are being considered at the critical review phase, the member or committee proposing the work has to take into account other ongoing work in Codex assisted by the Codex Secretariat.