The World Health Organization has recognized the importance of the HACCP system for prevention of foodborne diseases for over 20 years and has played an important role its development, harmonization and implementation. One of the highlights in the history of the HACCP system was in 1993 when the Codex Guidelines for the Application of the HACCP system were adopted by the FAOWHO Codex Aimentarius Commission. The Codex Code on General Principles of Food Hygiene has also been revised and presently it includes recommendations for the application of the Codex HACCP Guidelines. In due course, all relevant codes of hygienic practice will need to be revised to include the 14ACCP system The work of Codex, i.e. through its standards, guidelines and recommendations (including the Guidelines for the Application of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point system), has played an important role in facilitating international trade and has influenced national health legislation for the protection of consumers. However, since the successful conclusion of the GATT Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in April 1994 and the establishment of the World Trade Organization Wto)in 1995, the work of Codex plays an even greater role in matters related to health and trade The reason is that in the WTOs Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the work of Codex is recognized as the reference or yard stick for national requirements in food safety. This implies that Members of the WTo involved in food trade need to take the work of the codex alimentarius into consideration, and adapt their national legislation to the provisions provided by the Codex Alimentarius. In future, they could be required to furnish justification for food import restrictions based on national legislation that are stricter than Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations The Codex Guidelines for the Application of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system published in 1993 have been revised and the revised text entitled Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point(HACCP) system and Guidelines for its Application was adopted by he Codex Alimentarius Commission in June 1997 in the document Codex Alimentarius Commission. Report of the Twenty-Second Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Geneva, June 1997 Some of the major changes are Definitions and terminology: Some of the definitions and terminologies have been changed or new definitions are provided for terms such as audit, deviation, validation, to enhance comprehension of the text and avoid misunderstanding in interpretation of the principles. The term Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point has been changed to Hazard Analysis nerd Critical Control Point to facilitate its translation into other languages Separation of the HACCP system Principles from the Guidelines. This change has been introduced to underline the fact that the principles of the HACCP system set the basis for the minimum requirements for mandatory application of the HACCP system, while the Guidelines are general guidance, adherence to which is voluntary, considering that details in the application may vary depending on the circumstances of the food operation This separation provides greater flexibility in the use of the document, and facilitates the integration of the HACCP principles in the regulatory structureThe World Health Organization has recognized the importance of the HACCP system for prevention of foodborne diseases for over 20 years and has played an important role its development, harmonization and implementation. One of the highlights in the history of the HACCP system was in 1993 when the Codex Guidelines for the Application of the HACCP system were adopted by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Codex Code on General Principles of Food Hygiene has also been revised and presently it includes recommendations for the application of the Codex HACCP Guidelines. In due course, all relevant codes of hygienic practice will need to be revised to include the 14ACCP system. The work of Codex, i.e. through its standards, guidelines and recommendations (including the Guidelines for the Application of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point system), has played an important role in facilitating international trade and has influenced national health legislation for the protection of consumers. However, since the successful conclusion of the GATT Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in April 1994, and the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, the work of Codex plays an even greater role in matters related to health and trade. The reason is that in the WTO's Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the work of Codex is recognized as the reference or `yard stick' for national requirements in food safety. This implies that Members of the WTO involved in food trade need to take the work of the Codex Alimentarius into consideration, and adapt their national legislation to the provisions provided by the Codex Alimentarius. In future, they could be required to furnish justification for food import restrictions based on national legislation that are stricter than Codex standards, guidelines and recommendations. The Codex Guidelines for the Application of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system published in 1993 have been revised and the revised text entitled Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system and Guidelines for its Application was adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in June 1997 in the document “Codex Alimentarius Commission. Report of the Twenty-Second Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Geneva, June 1997”. Some of the major changes are: Definitions and terminology: Some of the definitions and terminologies have been changed or new definitions are provided for terms such as audit, deviation, validation, to enhance comprehension of the text and avoid misunderstanding in interpretation of the principles. The term Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point has been changed to Hazard Analysis nerd Critical Control Point to facilitate its translation into other languages. Separation of the HACCP system Principles from the Guidelines. This change has been introduced to underline the fact that the principles of the HACCP system set the basis for the minimum requirements for mandatory application of the HACCP system, while the Guidelines are general guidance, adherence to which is voluntary, considering that details in the application may vary depending on the circumstances of the food operation. This separation provides greater .flexibility in the use of the document, and facilitates the integration of the HACCP principles in the regulatory structure