The principles below guide those involved in the consultative process on provision of scientific advice:

1. There is a need for a formal, harmonized, well-coordinated and flexible framework for the provision of scientific advice, which includes risk assessment
2. Consideration should be given to approaches that will strengthen the process of providing scientific advice to Codex and FAO and WHO member countries with regard to quality, independence, integrity, transparency, timeliness, efficiency, flexibility and sustainability
3. All types of scientific advice and mechanisms through which it is developed should be considered
4. The provision of scientific advice by FAO/WHO includes two main end users - Codex and FAO/WHO member countries, and both should be addressed in the consultative process
5. When proposing improvements to the existing processes for the provision of scientific advice, consideration should be given to the recommendations made by the 'Codex Evaluation', as well as to other potential possibilities and approaches
6. Efforts should be made to ensure participation of the relevant stakeholders within the process and to facilitate widespread acceptance of the outcome
7. The consultative process should be performed in an independent and transparent manner
8. Consideration should be given to improvements made to date in the provision of the scientific advice, as well as in the evaluation of committees such as JMPR
9. Ongoing improvements to existing bodies/Committees should continue and not be delayed until after the present consultative process
10. Responsibilities of both organizations should be clearly defined to make best use of resources available and to avoid duplication of efforts
11. Procedures should be simplified to the maximum extent possible

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