International partners
The FSVO works with international organisations to develop standards for food safety and plant and animal protection. The cooperation strengthens health protection and supports safe and fair global trade.
Cooperation with international partners
The ‘Three Sisters’ are three international organisations that play a key role in standard-setting for food safety and plant and animal protection within the World Trade Organization (WTO). While the Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE) fall under the FSVO’s competence, the FOAG is responsible for the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
Together, these three organisations support the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), thereby making a key contribution to safe and fair global trade.
The Codex Alimentarius (Latin for ‘Food Code’) is a collection of international standards, guidelines and codes of practice on food, which was jointly established in 1963 by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Its goals are to protect consumer health, ensure fair practices in the international food trade and facilitate international trade.
Importance and impact of the Codex standards
The Codex standards are developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) and its subsidiary bodies. As of 2026, the Commission has 188 member countries and since 2003 one member organisation (the European Union).
The Codex standards form a central basis for the harmonisation of national food regulations. However, they only become legally binding once member countries incorporate them into their national legislation through the proper legislative procedure. In Switzerland, the Codex standards serve as a reference in the drafting of food law.
Since its establishment, the Codex Alimentarius has decisively influenced the quality and safety of global food supply and greatly facilitated international food trade. The Codex standards are also crucial to the WTO as both the SPS Agreement and the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) directly refer to them.
Switzerland’s interests and participation in the Codex
For Switzerland, the Codex Alimentarius is important, particularly in light of the international nature of the food trade. Production, industry and trade in the agriculture and food sector have a great interest in ensuring that technical regulations do not hinder trade with third countries. At the same time, the Codex provides an international platform for consumer concerns with a focus on health protection. Other goals involve providing information and protecting consumers from being misled.
Switzerland is actively involved in the work of most of the Codex committees. It submits written statements and, depending on the topic, sends delegations to the meetings of the most important committees. As the competent authority for food safety and food legislation, the FSVO is responsible for overall management and serves as the contact point for the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
More information:
The World Organisation for Animal Health is an international body based in Paris that works to improve animal health and welfare worldwide. It was set up in 1924 in response to a major rinderpest outbreak in Europe under the name Office International des Epizooties (OIE).
The FSVO serves as Switzerland’s official representative (delegate) at the WOAH.
Importance and impact of the WOAH
The 183 current member countries (as of 2026) are required to report animal diseases detected in their territories to the WOAH in a timely manner. By processing these reports and compiling them on its website, the WOAH promotes global transparency and trust building in the area of animal diseases. It also contributes to the early detection of diseases that can be transmitted to humans or of a deliberate release of pathogens.
The WOAH develops standards that provide the framework for member countries to prevent the introduction of animal diseases through the international trade of animals and animal products without creating unjustified barriers to trade. Since 1995, these standards have been recognised by the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the international reference for animal health. They are developed by internationally renowned scientists in selected specialist commissions and working groups, and are adopted by the World Assembly of Delegates.
The organisation compiles and analyses the latest research findings related to animal disease control on an ongoing basis. Drawing on this, it publishes recommendations and guidelines and offers technical support to help the national authorities in member nations implement them.
Switzerland’s interests and involvement in the WOAH
As one of the founding nations of the OIE, Switzerland has supported the organisation’s goals and values for over a hundred years: transparency, international cooperation, scientific backing and safe trade.
Swiss faculties have been appointed by the WOAH as reference laboratories for three different animal diseases. Swiss scientists participate in WOAH working groups and are involved in improving and updating standards.
More information: WOAH – World Organisation for Animal Health
The WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) is intended to ensure that member states’ protective measures do not unnecessarily hinder international trade.
In this context, the FSVO reviews SPS notifications affecting the trade of animals and animal products and raises concerns if unjustified trade barriers are announced. Switzerland is one of the 166 members (as of 2026).
More information:
WTO – World Trade Organization
SPS-Abkommen: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (auf Englisch)
The goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to ensure the best possible health for all. Switzerland is one of the 194 member states (as of 2025). The FSVO represents Switzerland in various WHO bodies.
The FAO works to achieve food security for all and to make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food. Switzerland is one of the 193 member nations (as of 2026). The FSVO represents Switzerland in various FAO bodies.
More information: FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations