Report of the First Session of the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology, 14 - 17 March 2000

The Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology (CX/FTB) held its First Session in Chiba, Japan from 14 to 17 March 2000. Realising the potential benefits of biotechnology if utilised in an appropriate manner and at the same time, responding to consumers interest about the safety of foods derived from biotechnology, the Task Force aimed to reach an agreement towards a model on safety assessment of food derived from biotechnology within its prescribed period of 4 years. The FAO and WHO which are parent organisations of the Codex Alimentarius Commission also stressed that they would provide continuous support to the work of this Task Force.

It was concluded that the Task Force would proceed with the elaboration of two major texts, namely :

A set of broad general principles for risk analysis of foods derived from biotechnology (precise title still to be determined) including matters such as :

• Science-based decision-making;
  
• Pre-market assessment;
  
• Transparency;
  
• Post-market monitoring [including traceability]; and
  
• Other legitimate factors as appropriate

Specific guidance on the risk assessment of foods derived from biotechnology (precise title still to be determined) including such matters as :

• Food safety and nutrition;
  
• “Substantial equivalence”;
  
• Potential long-term health effects; and
  
• Non-intentional effects

In the preparation of these texts, preference should be given to guidance that would applicable to all foods derived from biotechnology. However should it be necessary to prioritise the work, top priority should be given to foods of plant origin, followed by micro-organisms used directly in foods and then foods of animal origin. It was noted however, that early attention may also be given to fish.

It was also agreed that a list of available analytical methods including those for the detection or identification of foods or food ingredients derived from biotechnology should be prepared.

However, this work plan will be reported to the Executive Committee for approval as new work at Step 1.

 Reference : Report of the First Session of the Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods 
                   Derived From Biotechnology, ALINORM 01/34

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Cableways and Funicular Railways

The Directive will impose the use of common technical requirements and conformity, from May 2004, to cableway installations designed to carry persons in the EU. Components used for those applications will need to display CE Marking.

Motor-Cycles: Speedometers added to Harmonised Type-Approval Requirements

The Directive adds to the list of specific features covered by detailed technical specifications in the EU type-approval process for two and three wheeled vehicles, the list thus grows from 23 to 24.

Products Imported from Outside the EU: An Update on the Responsibility of Distributors

The Directive makes clear that the distributor is made responsible for the product's compliance only when the manufacturer has failed to perform elementary tasks such as conformity assessment or preparation of documentation, and is not made responsible for the accuracy of the manufacturer's statement.

Passenger Car Emissions EU Completes List of CO² Measures

 The Directive provides the agreements with car producers in Japan and Korea, under which suppliers of cars to the EU will accept the same obligations to CO2 emissions as EU producers. A firm commitment is to cut emissions to defined levels by 2009.

The IEC's Bulletin is stepping into the new millennium with a new name and a new look. Redesigned by Head of Production Gilles Humbert, the publication, now called "iec e-tech", features news and information from the IEC.

The IEC management decided its publications must show that the Commission is now operating in the 21st century and so altered the Bulletin accordingly. The new look is also associated with plans to transform the publication from a primarily paper-based medium to one that uses the Internet as its principal means for delivery.

New Agreement for IEC and ISO on Work-Sharing

In a clear show of solidarity, the IEC Council Board approved new procedures aimed at resolving those exceptional cases where allocating technical work between the IEC and ISO is difficult. The new procedures were also approved by ISO Council at its meeting in Beijing in early October 1999.

Passport to International Markets: CB-FCS

Exporting electrical equipment into international markets has now become easier because of a new system for conformity assessment to international standards-CB-FCS-which helps manufacturers to get one certification package for any number of national safety marks or approvals. At present, 13 National Certification Bodies with more than 20 testing laboratories in 12 major countries are prepared to accept test certificates. For further information, please contact:

ISO

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has issued a new and improved advice to ISO 9000 users on how to make a smooth transition to the revised versions of its world-famous quality management standards, due for publication in the fourth quarter of 2000.

"Transition Planning Guidance", updated to reflect the latest Draft International Standard (DIS) version of ISO 9001:2000, and updated answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) on the revisions, are available as hard copies from ISO national member institutes, or accessible electronically from the Web sites of ISO (http://www.iso.ch) and subcommittee (SC) 2 of the ISO technical committee, ISO/TC 176, which is responsible for the ISO 9000 standards (http://www.bsi.org.uk/iso-tc176-sc2) ; (http://www.bsi.org.uk/iso-tc176-sc2).

ISO states in its introduction to its latest information package on the revisions that, "with millions of ISO 9000 users worldwide, it is imperative that the revised standards be developed with maximum transparency and that the introduction of these standards be as seamless as possible." Therefore, throughout the development of the revised ISO 9000 standards, ISO has striven to involve user groups by canvassing their expectations and requirements, releasing early draft documents for comment as well as for actual trial implementation by selected organisations and taking account of the feedback to improve subsequent drafts.

The latest Transition Planning Guidance benefits from the collaboration between ISO, representatives of the certification bodies that issue ISO 9000 certificates and, notably, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). IAF represents the majority of the world's national accreditation bodies that approve certification bodies as competent to operate. These major stakeholder groups have already agreed to a common policy on such issues as the validity of ISO 9000 certificates during the transition, and the competence of auditors to carry out their work to the new ISO 9000 requirements.

The guidance document includes the full text of the ISO/IAF policy, as well as specific advice for the following stakeholder groups: current, intermediate and new ISO 9000 user organisations; industry sector schemes and quality awards; national standards bodies; accreditation bodies; certification (also known as "registration") bodies; training bodies and consultants. Other special features of the document include correlation and correspondence tables of ISO/DIS 9001:2000 with the current version of ISO 9001, and a summary of key enhancements.

In line with ISO's wish to accompany the introduction of the revised ISO 9000 standards with the best possible service to users, the organisation is encouraging widespread dissemination of the Transition Planning Guidance and FAQ's. To this end, ISO Central Secretariat and ISO/TC 176/SC 2 have agreed that ISO member bodies and other organisations may use these documents, on the following conditions: