MPI is the lead agency for Codex
New Zealand has been a member of Codex since its formation in 1963, and attaches great importance to its work. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is New Zealand’s lead agency for working with Codex. It is responsible for managing New Zealand's input and participation.
New Zealand participation in Codex
New Zealand government objectives
New Zealand is a trading nation, so has a strong interest in ensuring that Codex:
- develops standards and related texts that are risk-based and founded on robust science
- is efficient, and responsive to the needs of its members
- works to reduce technical barriers to trade, and facilitates market access through the development of international standards with a wide application.
New Zealand’s strategic objectives
New Zealand's input and participation in the work of Codex are guided by our strategic objectives to:
- influence standards relevant to New Zealand’s food safety, human health protection, nutrition, and trade interests by actively participating in Codex
- ensure New Zealand’s regulatory systems are informed by and aligned with Codex
- promote a strong Codex system and advocate for global uptake and use of Codex standards, guidelines, and recommendations.
We direct New Zealand’s limited resources towards the committees and work areas with the greatest importance to our food safety and trade.
New Zealand’s Strategic Objectives in Codex 2022–2026 [PDF, 2.2 MB]
Other standard-setting bodies
Codex is one of 3 international standard-setting bodies that are important to New Zealand.
