International codes of conduct

International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, United Nations Pood and Agriculture Organization, New York, 1985 amended to include provisions for "Prior Informed Consent," 1990. 

The WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES), set up in 1960, is the only international programme that promotes and coordinates the testing and evaluation of pesticides intended for public health use. The International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides (2) constitutes the framework for WHOPES in promoting the safe handling and use, efficacy, cost-effective application and quality control of pesticide products/formulations for public health use. WHOPES develops specifications for pesticides and application equipment for use in international trade and quality control. 

These activities have enabled WHOPES to plan for the expansion of the Scheme to include the testing and evaluation of a greater variety of pesticides. In recent years, WHOPES has also vigorously promoted the use of WHO specifications for public health pesticides in accordance with the International Code of Conduct on Distribution and Use of Pesticides. Examples of such efforts include the development and wide distribution of guidelines for the purchase of pesticides for public health use, provision of access to WHO specifications for pesticides and their test methods on the Internet, and an increase in the number of WHO collaborating centres for quality control of pesticides (currently three). 

Follow the World Bank in adopting policies in line, with the. f AO International Code, of Conduct on the. Distribution and Use of Pesticides, by denying finance, for the. use. of formulated products that fall into WI lO classes la and Ib, or formulations of products in Class II, if (a) the. country lacks restrictions on their distribution and use or (b) they are likely to be. used by, or be. accessible to, lay personnel, farmers, or others without training, equipment, and facilities to handle, store, and apply these products properly. 

FAO International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides The 1985 International Code of Conduct, amended in 1989, was developed to address the use of pesticides in developing countries until the countries have established regulatory infrastructures for pesticides. The Code sets forth responsibilities and establishes voluntary standards of conduct for public and private entities engaged in or affecting the distribution and use of pesticides. The Code specifically addresses Labeling, packaging, storage and disposal of pesticides. 

It also contains some information on the regulatory framework in these countries. There is some information about Mexico, but the self-regulatory code could not be found. In addition there are some overarching international codes of conduct, such as the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) code, the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). 

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