The Procedural Manual for Codex Bhutan is intended to guide the National Codex Contact Point (NCCP), NCC, sub-Committees and Codex (Bhutan) Secretariat to:

• Contribute towards strengthening Bhutan’s national food control systems.
• Effectively manage the works of Codex in Bhutan; and
• Actively participate in the elaboration of international food standards to play a meaningful role as a member of the CAC.

The Manual is useful for Chairs and Members of the NCC to understand their roles and responsibilities for smooth and successful conduct of the Committee meetings.. It will also be useful to the Leader and Members of delegation from Bhutan to effectively present Bhutan’s position to the electronic and physical meetings of CAC and it’s Committees.

The Manual consists of four sections:

• Section I details the Codex structures in Bhutan along with their key roles and responsibilities. Section II outlines working procedures for Codex Committees, towards efficient and smooth operation of National Codex Committee and Codex sub-committee (s) of Bhutan to:
  • formulate mandatory Food Standards (Technical Regulations) and
  • formulate national positions on Codex Works.
• Section III defines the procedure for selection of the Leader and Members of Bhutanese delegation for participation to Codex meetings.

The manual can be downloaded from here

The Codex Standards and Texts have been referenced in the Food Act of Bhutan 2005 as one of the key references for establishment of national Standards and Technical Regulations on food quality and safety. The structures that have crucial role to play in promoting Codex related works in Bhutan are as described below and as depicted in the Figure 01:

1. National Food Quality and Safety Commission (NFQSC): Highest decision-making body on food quality and safety.

1. Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA)
   1. Head of BAFRA is the National Codex Contact Point (NCCP)
   2. Bhutan (Codex) Secretariat is established in BAFRA to manage the works of Codex in Bhutan.

1. National Codex Committee (NCC): Comprises of national experts from relevant agencies to provide technical opinion on food safety, quality and standards.

1. Codex Sub-committee (s): Comprises of national technical experts to assist works of NCC and function as shadow committees to Codex Committees of CAC.

National Food Quality and Safety Commission (NFQSC) is the highest policy level decision making body responsible to maximize industry development, protect consumers, foster trade and improve food control in the Kingdom.

National Codex Committee is required to provide technical opinion and recommendations related to food safety to NFQSC for decision making.

NFQSC is responsible for reviewing and approving the work of the National Codex Committee regarding:

1. Development and acceptance of national Technical Regulations (mandatory food Standards) regarding food quality, food safety, ingredients, additives, adulterated food, weights and measures, laboratories and other technical issues.
2. Preparation of standards, rules and regulations, orders, and notices under the Food Act of Bhutan 2005.
3. Policy decisions related to all Codex activities and issues.

The composition of NFQSC, scheduling of its meetings shall be convened as per the provisions of the Food Act of Bhutan 2005.

Serve as the advisory body for Codex and other food control matters within the Kingdom As per the Food Act of Bhutan 2005, the NCC is comprised of the members from relevant departments appointed upon nomination by their respective agencies or organizations:

The alternative members from each representative agencies/organization shall be appointed to maintain the consistency and continuity in the absence of permanent members. Any other expert who is not a regular member of the NCC but competent to contribute to the subject under consideration because of his professional expertise, may also be requested to attend the meeting as an observer.

The NCC appoints Codex sub-Committee (s) to provide advice of a technical nature to NCC, the NFQSC and/or the Minister and to assist in the study or consideration of technical matters on subject matters of importance to Bhutan and related to the corresponding Codex Committees.

In the composition of the Codex Sub-Committee, one of the members of the NCC is included as the member. Specialized experts in the relevant field may be nominated as members of these Codex Sub-Committees. These lists of experts may be reviewed from time to time to ensure that they meet the ongoing requirements of the NCC.