SON & Codex Alimentarius Presentation PDF

SAP 401: PHARMACY LAWS AND ETHICS (2 UNITS) 1 STANDARDS ORGANIZATION OF NIGERIA (SON) 2  Established by SON Act No. 56 of 1971 The body corporate, has the sole responsibility for National Policy on Metrology, Standar...

SAP 401: PHARMACY LAWS AND ETHICS (2 UNITS) 1 STANDARDS ORGANIZATION OF NIGERIA (SON) 2  Established by SON Act No. 56 of 1971 The body corporate, has the sole responsibility for National Policy on Metrology, Standards, Testing and Quality Control (MSTQ) That is, it is concerned with the responsibility of standardizing and regulating the quality of all products in Nigeria SON is the custodian of all product, process and metrology Standards in Nigeria SON is governed by standards council, however the day-to- day running of the organization rests on the director 3 general/chief executive  A member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) An active member of African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSO) Member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission An intending member of the World Standards Services Network (WSSN) and International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) An intending member of Southern African Development Co- operation in Measurement Traceability and Legal Metrology (SADCMET and SADCMEL) Fully participates in the programmes & activities of int’l bodies & 4 appropriate UN agencies, in particular UNIDO and UNICEF  Aims and objectives Preparation of standards relating to products, measurements, materials, processes and services, amongst others Their promotion at the national, regional and international levels Certification of products Assistance in the production of quality goods and services Improvement of measurement accuracy and the 5 circulation of information relating to standards  Standards Council of Nigeria (SCN) – SON’s governing body Policy makers, supervises the administration & financial management of SON SCN consists of – A chairman One representative from each of the Federal Ministry of - agriculture & rural development; defence; trade & investment; finance; works; Health; science & technology One representative from each of the following fields of activity- university education & research; chambers of commerce, industry & mines; engineering & engineering consultancy services; processing & manufacturing; construction industry; employers’ association; and consumers’ association One person not employed in the public service, a person of unquestionable integrity 6 The director-general  The president, on the recommendation of the Minister, shall appoint the Chairman and all the members of the council Each member serves for a term of 4 years, maximum of 2 terms A member ceases to hold office if he – Becomes of unsound mind Becomes bankrupt or makes a compromise with creditors Convicted of felony or any offence involving dishonesty Guilty of serious misconduct in relation to his duties Professionally disqualified or suspended from practicing his profession A member may resign his appointment by writing The president may, at any time remove any member of the council if he is of the opinion that is not in the national/organization’s interest A member appointed to any vacant position resulting from the above shall only 7 complete the term of the predecessor Functions of the Council a. To advise the federal government generally on the national policy on standards, standards specifications, quality control and metrology; b. To designate, establish and approve standards in respect of metrology, materials, commodities, structures and processes for the certification of products in commerce and industry throughout Nigeria; c. To provide the necessary measures for quality control of raw materials and products in conformity with the standard specification; d. To determine the overall policy of the organization, in particular with regard to the financial, operational, and administrative programmes of the organization and to ensure the implementation of the said policy; and e. To carry out other functions imposed on it under this act or any other written law 8 Functions & duties of the organization a. Organize tests and do everything necessary to ensure compliance with standards designated and approved by the council b. Undertake investigations into the quality of facilities, systems, services, materials & product, whether imported or manufactured in Nigeria c. Evaluate quality assurance activities, including certification of systems, products and laboratories throughout Nigeria d. Ensure reference standards for calibration & verification of measures and measuring instruments e. Compile an inventory of products in Nigeria requiring 9 standardization f. Compile Nigerian industrial standards specifications g. To develop methods for testing of materials, supplies and equipment including items purchased for use of departments of the government of the federation or a state and private establishments h. Establish an import and export product surveillance, certification and conformity assessment scheme i. Establish a mandatory conformity assessment programme for locally manufactured products in Nigeria j. Undertake registration of all manufactured products distributed, marketed and consumed throughout Nigeria 10 k. Undertake preparation & distribution of standard samples NB: The organization shall assemble, maintain & extend a collection of books and publications and such other matters as it considers appropriate for a standard library For all comparisons, tests or investigations performed by the organization, except those performed for the government of the federation or a state, or such other public bodies or institutions as may be approved by the council, a fee sufficient in each case to compensate for the entire cost of the service rendered shall be charged 11 by the organization  For adequate & effective discharge of duties, SON is structured into various directorates, departments and units The directorates are: 1. Standards 2. Quality Assurance 3. Laboratory 4. Metrology 5. Technical Services 6. Human Resources 7. Finance and Supplies 12 8. Legal Staff of the organization Director-General (appointed by the president) chief executive and accounting officer Hold office for a term of 4 years (max. 2 terms) Responsibilities include – a. Advising the council on the formulation, implementation and review of national policies & programmes pertaining to standardization, quality control of products, science of measurements, and metrology b. Coordinating the activities of the directors c. Initiating the investigations to be conducted by the organization d. Representing the organization at national & international levels in all matters relating to standardization, quality control and metrology 13 e. Enforcing standards and discharging the powers and duties of the organization  Directors (appointed by Council) The number of directors to be appointed shall be determined by the council Their duties are determined by the DG Secretary of the organization Such other staff as may be required to assist the Director-General in the performance of the duties of the organization NB: The appointment, remunerations, and other conditions of service (promotions & disciplinary control) of the directors and other staff of the organization shall be determined by the Council after consultation with the Federal Civil Service Commission All persons employed in the organization shall be entitled to pensions, gratuities, and other retirement benefits 14 READ UP Financial provision Nigerian Industrial Standards Evasion of fees, levies etc 15 Power to enter premises The DG, other officer/employee or any other person authorized by the DG – May stop & search any vehicle which he believes may contain any article/product/material/goods that is in contravention of this ACT Shall have the right of access at reasonable time to any premises where an industrial or commercial undertaking is being carried on, and may use reasonable force, if needed, to gain entry May seize and detain, not exceeding 90 days without leave of court, any article/product/material/goods which he reasonably 16 believes is in contravention of this Act  May, by notice in writing served on any person carrying on an industrial or commercial undertaking, require that person to furnish information on such matters as may be specified Any article, item, product or material seized shall be kept or stored in such a place as the DG may direct Any person required to furnish returns(information) shall, within any period specified in such notice, comply with directives contained therein For the purpose of carrying out duties under this Act, every officer of the organization shall have the powers, rights, privileges and protection equivalent to that of a police officer 17 Offences If any person require to furnish returns fails to furnish returns as required under this Act, he commits an offence If a person, in purported compliance with a requirement to furnish returns, knowingly or recklessly makes any statement in the return which is false, he commits an offence A person who willfully obstructs, interferes with, assaults or resists any officer or employee of the organization in the execution of his duty or who aids, invites, induces or abets any other person to obstruct, interfere with, assault or resist any officer or employee commits an offence Where an offence under this Act which has been committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or 18 connivance of, or to be attributed to any neglect on the part of, any director, manger, secretary or any other official of the body corporate, or WHO/FAO CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION 19 Introduction Centuries ago, food was mainly produced, sold and consumed locally International food trade has existed for thousands of years Over the last century, the amount of food traded internationally has grown exponentially, and a quantity and variety of food never before possible travels the globe today Codex alimentarius is all about safe, good food for 20 everyone -everywhere Codex alimentarius A Latin word meaning “food law or code” It is a collection of internationally adopted food standards and related texts presented in a uniform manner It comprises of a series of general and specific food standards, guidelines, recommendation and codes of practice, formulated and adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) 21 Purpose of the Codex Alimentarius These food standards and related texts aim at: Protecting consumers health Ensuring fair practices in the food trade The publication of the Codex Alimentarius is intended to guide and promote the elaboration and establishment of definitions and requirements for foods to assist in their harmonization and in doing so to facilitate international trade. 22 Scope of the Codex Alimentarius The Codex Alimentarius includes: Standards for all the principle foods, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, for distribution to the consumer Materials for further processing into foods Provisions in respect of food hygiene, food additives, residues of pesticides and veterinary 23 drugs, contaminants, labelling and presentation, Nature of Codex Standards Codex standards and related texts are not a substitute for, or alternative to national legislation Every country’s laws and administrative procedures contain provisions with which it is essential to comply Codex standards and related texts contain requirements for food aimed at ensuring for the consumer a safe, wholesome food product free from adulteration, correctly labelled and presented A Codex standard for any food or foods should be drawn up in accordance with the Format for Codex Commodity Standards and contain, as appropriate, the sections listed 24 therein Revision of Codex Standards The CAC and its subsidiary bodies are committed to revision as necessary of Codex standards and related texts to ensure that they are consistent with and reflect current scientific knowledge and other relevant information When required, a standard or related text shall be revised or removed in accordance with the Procedures for the Elaboration of Codex Standards and Related Texts Each member of the CAC is responsible for identifying, and presenting to the appropriate committee, any new scientific and other relevant information which may warrant revision of any25 existing Codex standards or related texts. Read 1. Definitions for the purposes of the Codex Alimentarius (pages 23-26) 26 Procedure for the Elaboration of Codex Standards and Related Text CAC approves new work based on a Project Document and the recommendation of the Executive Committee Codex Secretariat arranges for the preparation of a proposed draft standard. Where applicable, the secretariat distributes the recommendation from the relevant risk assessment body The proposed draft text is circulated by the Codex Secretariat to Codex members and observers to comment Received comments are sent by the Codex Secretariat to the body assigned the work for consideration. The proposed draft standard is amended 27  The proposed draft standard is submitted to the Executive committee for critical review and to the Commission for adoption The draft text is circulated by the Codes Secretariat to Codex members and observers for another round of comments The body assigned the work considers the comments and amends the draft standard The draft standard is submitted to the Executive Committee for critical review and forwarded to the Commission for adoption as a codex standard. It is then published on the 28 Codex website Scientific Risk Assessment Bodies They advise on maximum limits for food additives, pesticide residue, and pathogen and on other scientific issues regarding food safety They include: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) Joint FAO/WHO Meetings on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Nutrition (JEMNU) Joint FAO/WHO Meetings on Microbiological Risk 29 Assessment (JEMRA) Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) Established in 1963 It is the principal body of the joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme An inter-governmental body Open to all Member nations and Associate Members of FAO and/or WHO Currently has 189 members 188 member countries 1 member organization (The European Union) Secretariat is located in Rome Nigeria joined the CAC in 1969 30 Objectives Protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in food trade Promote coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations Determining priorities and initiating and guiding the preparation of draft standards through and with the aid of appropriate organizations Finalizing standards and publishing them in a Codex Alimentarius either as regional or worldwide standards, together with int’l standards already finalized by other bodies Amending published standards 31 Officers Consists of the following – Chairperson (election; max. 2 years) 3 Vice-chairpersons (election; max. 2 years) Secretary (appointed by the DGs of FAO & WHO from the staff of their organizations) Such other officials (appointed by the DGs of FAO & WHO, as may be necessary to assist the officers & the secretary in performing all duties that the work 32 of the commission may require) Coordinators Coordinators from among the Members of the Commission for any of the geographic locations or any group of countries may be appointed by the Commission Appointment of the coordinators shall be made exclusively on the proposal of a majority of the Members of the Commission which constitutes the region or group of countries concerned Functions of the coordinators – Appoint the Chairperson of the Coordinating Committee Assist and coordinate the work of the Codex Committees Assist the Executive Committee and the Commission, as required, by 33 advising them of the view of countries and recognized regional inter- Executive Committee Consists of – Chairperson Vice-chairpersons Coordinators 7 other members elected by the Commission, one each coming from the following geographic locations: Africa; Asia; Europe; Latin America & the Carribean; Near East; North America and South-West Pacific Not more than one delegate from any one country shall be a member of the executive committee Chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Commission shall be respectively the Chair and Vice-chair of the Executive Committee Sessions of the Executive Committee may be convened as often as necessary 34 by the DGs of FAO & WHO Functions of the Executive Committee May make proposals to the Commission regarding general orientation, strategic planning, and programmimg of the work of the commission Study special problems Assist in the management of the Commission’s programme of standards development Consider specific matters referred to it by the DGs of FAO & WHO Estimate the expenditure for the Commission’s proposed programme of work May establish such sub-committees from among its members as it may deem necessary to enable it exercise its function as effectively 35 as possible Sessions The Commission shall hold one principle session each year at the headquarters of either FAO or WHO (additional sessions shall be held as deemed fit by the DGs of FAO & WHO after consultation, with the Chairperson of the Executive Committee) Place of the session is determined by the DGs of FAO & WHO after consultation, where appropriate, with the authorities of the host country Notice of the date and place of each session of the Commission shall be communicated to all Members at least 2 months before the session 36  Meeting of the Commission shall be held in public, unless the Commission decides otherwise Majority of the Members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of making recommendations for amendments to the statutes of the Commission and of adopting amendments of, or additions to, the present rules For all other purposes, majority of Members shall constitute a quorum, provided they are not