A Workshop on Review and Development of Guidelines on ASEAN Common Food Control Requirements (ACFCRs) was held on 14 – 15 July 2014 at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, to review the existing ACFCRs published in 2006 and the proposed new draft Guidelines. Representatives of ASEAN Member States food regulators and food standards agencies attended the workshop. Among the initiatives include the development of harmonised food control requirements for ASEAN. These harmonised requirements provide a basis for Member States to establish compatible domestic regulations that will enable respective regulatory agencies to have mutual confidence in the food control systems implemented with regard to ensuring the safety of food and providing for fair trade practices.

Some recommendations to the previous ACFCRs Guidelines and the final new draft Guidelines were developed at the workshop. The proposed Guidelines will be closely aligned to Codex Alimentarius Commission standards and will assist PFPWG in its work for establishing a mutual recognition arrangement (MRA) in prepared foodstuffs sector. This MRA is designed to enable Member States to accept food control inspections and certifications system in order to remove technical barrier to trade.