This paper describes how the development of texts on regulatory deference by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) addresses relevant recommendations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and supports Member countries of CAC in their negotiation and implementation of equivalence agreements. We consider the role and function of CAC within a rules-based multilateral framework, particularly in relation to the development and implementation of equivalence concepts. We then consider whether, through use of equivalence agreements, trade facilitation outcomes have been realised. Our hypothesis is that international standards on regulatory deference promote fair but aspirational standards and support fair practices in the trade of safe food – both vital outcomes for global food security and the achievement of many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We test this hypothesis against the framework provided by decisions of the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee. We argue that the equivalence concepts and guidelines developed by CAC are appropriate but underutilised tools available for Member countries to strike a balance between their right to regulate to protect human, animal or plant life and health and to fulfil legitimate objectives whilst meeting their WTO obligations to avoid measures that constitute unnecessary barriers to trade.

本文介绍了食品法典委员会 (CAC) 制定监管遵从文本的过程如何响应世界贸易组织 (WTO) 的相关建议，并支持 CAC 成员国谈判和实施等效协议。我们在基于规则的多边框架内考虑 CAC 的作用和功能，特别是在等效概念的制定和实施方面。然后我们考虑通过使用等值协议是否实现了贸易便利化成果。我们的假设是，遵守监管的国际标准促进公平但理想的标准，并支持安全食品贸易的公平做法——这两者都是全球粮食安全的重要成果，也是实现许多联合国可持续发展目标的重要成果。我们根据世贸组织卫生和植物检疫委员会的决定提供的框架来检验这一假设。我们认为，CAC 制定的等效概念和指南是适当但未得到充分利用的工具，可供成员国在其监管权利之间取得平衡，以保护人类、动物或植物生命和健康，并实现合法目标，同时履行其 WTO 义务：避免采取构成不必要贸易壁垒的措施。