Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Codex News, 14 July 2016
The Codex Online Commenting System (OCS) is an innovative tool that will revolutionise the way Codex develops standards. Moving from a paper based system to an online platform will encourage greater global participation in the work of standard setting and faster, simpler solutions for forumlating Codex texts and building consensus on the standards themselves.
The platform was launched at the 39th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, held in Rome from 27 June to 1 July 2016 where delegates had the opportunity to experiment with the system and talk to the team of experts who will run technical support from within the Codex Secretariat.
Project leader Mirko Montuori said: "we are extremely pleased with the repsonse to the OCS so far, especially from host country secretariats who will be key users of the system."
Global access
The Codex Secretariat is now working on implementing the OCS globally. User accounts have already been created for Codex Contact Points and observers, and training material is being distributed and translated.
Training
To facilitate implementation, the Codex Secretariat will be holding training workhsops on the OCS at all upcoming FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committee meetings beginning in Vanuatu on September 19th, and is also planning to provide additional face-to-face or virtual training sessions on demand.
The target for using the new system will be greater participation especially from developing countries and a more efficient, more inclusive platform for international standard development.
