Liaison: Codex Alimentarius Commission

Links between the BIPM and the CODEX

• The BIPM has observer status in the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which means it can participate at all meetings of the Codex with a view to promoting links to NMIs and harmonization in all matters related to metrology.
• The BIPM is represented at both the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) and at the Inter-Agency Meeting (IAM) amongst international organizations producing standards for the food field. It has participated in the electronic working groups on measurement and sampling uncertainty.
• The BIPM receives annual reports on Codex/IAM matters and feedback is given at CCQM meetings.

Purpose

The Codex Alimentarius Commission, established by the FAO and WHO in 1963, develops harmonized international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the food trade. The Commission also promotes coordination of all work on food standards undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations.

The Codex committee of most relevance to the BIPM is the CCMAS, which works on fundamental standards and criteria for analysis and sampling. The CCMAS is responsible for developing international quality standards for analysis and sampling of foods, and these standards then become binding for all parties involved in food analysis.

The BIPM has become involved in order to:

• raise awareness within Codex Alimentarius of the issues of traceability and measurement uncertainty;
• ensure that SI units are used appropriately in the standardization of food analysis measurements;
• maintain Codex awareness of the standardization activities of the CCQM;
• promote the development of reference measurement systems for measurands important in food analysis.