Enhancing participation in Codex activities

Unit 1
Establishing and maintaining
national Codex activities

Lesson 1
What is Codex

Exercises

© FAO, 2008
 ENHANCING PARTICIPATION IN CODEX ACTIVITIES
Lesson 1.1 What is Codex - Learner’s Notes

Summary
Exercise 1.........................................................................................................1

Exercise 2.........................................................................................................2

Exercise 3.........................................................................................................3

Exercise 4.........................................................................................................4

Solutions..........................................................................................................5

FAO/WHO Training materials I

 ENHANCING PARTICIPATION IN CODEX ACTIVITIES
Lesson 1.1 What is Codex - Learner’s Notes

Exercise 1
The Codex Alimentarius Commission is an intergovernmental body providing a global reference
point for developments associated with food standards. Which of the following is within its
mandate?

1. Establishment of international food standards.

2. Protect consumer health.
3. Protect domestic food producers.
4. Arbitrate in the event of a trade dispute.
5. Ensure fair practices in the food trade.

Please tick the correct options (two or more)

o 1
o 2
o 3
o 4
o 5

FAO/WHO Training materials 1

 ENHANCING PARTICIPATION IN CODEX ACTIVITIES
Lesson 1.1 What is Codex - Learner’s Notes

Exercise 2
Which of the following criteria must be satisfied in order for a country to become a member of
the Codex Alimentarius Commission?

1. The country must be a member of the WTO.

2. The country must be a member of FAO and WHO.
3. The country must notify the Director-General of FAO or of WHO that they
would like to be a member.
4. The country must be a member of FAO or of WHO.
5. The country must submit an application to the Director-General of FAO or of
WHO along with the applicable fees.

Please tick the correct options (two or more)

o 1
o 2
o 3
o 4
o 5

FAO/WHO Training materials 2

 ENHANCING PARTICIPATION IN CODEX ACTIVITIES
Lesson 1.1 What is Codex - Learner’s Notes

Exercise 3
The Codex Alimentarius Commission has clear statutes which govern its structure and
organization. Which of the following is the correct statement?

1. Before a new member joins the Codex Alimentarius Commission, its

request for accession needs to be approved by the Commission.

2. The statutes are amended every five years.

3. The Statutes can be amended by FAO and WHO.

Please tick the correct option

o 1
o 2
o 3

FAO/WHO Training materials 3

 ENHANCING PARTICIPATION IN CODEX ACTIVITIES
Lesson 1.1 What is Codex - Learner’s Notes

Exercise 4
The legal basis for Codex work is provided in the Rules of Procedure (contained in the Codex
Procedural Manual).

1. True

2. False

Please tick the correct option

o 1
o 2

FAO/WHO Training materials 4

 ENHANCING PARTICIPATION IN CODEX ACTIVITIES
Lesson 1.1 What is Codex - Learner’s Notes

Solutions

Exercise 1

Correct answer Comment

1, 4 Protection of domestic market and arbitration of a trade dispute are issues
related to international food trade, but are not part of the objectives of the
Codex Alimentarius Commission. Codex is concerned with ensuring fair
practices in food trade, and elaboration of food standards, which when
adopted by member countries, serve as a basis for harmonization, while
issues relating to market access and arbitration or dispute settlement are
within the realm of the WTO.

Exercise 2

Correct answer Comment

3, 4 In order for a country to become a member of the Codex Alimentarius
Commission, the country must be a member of either FAO or of WHO and it
needs to notify either the Director-General of FAO or of WHO that it wishes to
become a member. (See Article 2 of the Statutes).

Exercise 3

Options Correct answer Comment

1 Your answer is incorrect. There is no need for approval by the
existing membership when a request for accession is received from
a non member.
2 Sorry, that is not correct. The statutes are amended when there is
a need.
3 X Very good! The statutes of the Codex Alimentarius Commission can
only be amended by the governing bodies of FAO and WHO.

Exercise 4

FAO/WHO Training materials 5

 ENHANCING PARTICIPATION IN CODEX ACTIVITIES
Lesson 1.1 What is Codex - Learner’s Notes

Options Correct answer Comment

1 incorrect. It is the Statutes of the Commission which form the legal
basis for Codex work. The Rules of Procedure are important as
they enable the Commission to function in an effective and
efficient manner. However, the legal authority for the functioning
of the Commission stems from the Statutes.
2 X Correct. The legal basis for Codex work is the Statutes of the
Commission. These Statutes include giving the Commission the
ability to develop its own Rules of Procedure so that it can function
in an effective and efficient manner.

FAO/WHO Training materials 6