USDA: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (Codex)

This notice informs the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius (Codex), in accordance with Sanitary & Phytosanitary section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended, and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.

This notice also provides a list of other standard-setting activities of Codex, including commodity standards, guidelines, codes of practice, and revised texts.

This notice, which covers Codex activities during the time periods of June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023 and June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024, seeks comments on standards under consideration and recommendations for new standards.

The President is required to designate an agency for informing the public of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standard-setting activities, with main international organizations being the Codex Alimentarius (Codex), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 6780, the U.S. Department of Agriculture was designated to inform the public of the SPS standard-setting activities, delegating responsibility to the U.S. Codex Office (USCO). Codex, created in 1963 by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to establish food standards, protecting consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade. In the U.S., Codex activities are managed by multiple departments, including the USDA, FDA, NOAA, and EPA.

The USCO is responsible for publishing annual notices in the Federal Register regarding SPS activities of Codex, detailing standards under consideration, descriptions of such considerations, U.S. participation, agendas, and agency responsibilities. The notice also seeks public comments on current or planned standards and facilitates public participation through information dissemination and online access via the USCO web page.