In 2022 the Codex Secretariat began work on reviewing the formatting and layout of Codex texts to ensure consistency, to meet FAO and international publishing standards and to enhance readability. A digital object identifier (DOI) has also been added to standards as they are published, providing a unique reference that can support tracking and citation of each text. The project is part of the Codex Secretariat’s contribution to the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

At the 42nd session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) which took place from 13-16 June 2023 in Budapest, Hungary, the Codex Guideline on measurement uncertainty, adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 2022 was presented in the new layout.

Petra Gowik from the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety in Germany was one of the experts who led the work on the revision of the text which involved extensive changes.

“This revision provides better readability, taking into account new scientific developments. Measurement Uncertainty (MU) is a complex subject not always completely understood so having guidance is helpful. MU belongs to every measurement result and having a way how to estimate it is required in ISO 17025 when a laboratory is accredited,” she said.

Learn more

Download the new version of the Codex Guideline on measurement uncertainty (CXG54-2004).

ISO/IEC 17025 - General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.

Photo credit ©FAO/Codex

(left to right) Betrand Colson, Steffen Uhlig, Attila Nagy, Chairperson CCMAS, Petra Gowik, Gerd Fricke