The course series “Effective participation in Codex work” is designed to improve understanding and awareness of Codex Alimentarius and develop sustainable national capacities to engage in and benefit from Codex work.
The course series consists of the following four courses:
This first course explains why Codex exists and why it is important. It provides a brief history of the establishment of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and introduces its mandate and legal basis, as well as the initial steps for becoming involved.
The second course guides the learner on how to establish a national Codex programme and make it function well. It further explain on how to engage effectively in Codex at international level.
Science and risk analysis in Codex
The third course provides information on the scientific basis and the application of risk analysis in Codex and explains how FAO/WHO scientific advice is used in the development of Codex standards. It also describes the interactions between FAO/WHO expert bodies and relevant Codex Committees and explains why and how countries can contribute to the provision of scientific advice.
Codex collaboration at regional level
The fourth course gives an overview of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committees, and describes the roles, functions and responsibilities of Coordinators (often referred to as “regional coordinators”) and Members of the region. It will be particularly useful to policy-makers and national officials involved in food control and Codex work.
For more information, please contact: codex@fao.org
The objectives of this eLearning course are to give participants:
- A good understanding on the risks posed by the consumption of bivalve molluscs
- The legislation that is intended to provide the basis for control of those risks
- The practical application of those controls
Features
365 days access
- Average duration: 7 hours
Online
- 4 Units
- Self-Paced
- Multimedia
Available in:
- English
- Other languages
How to Register
- You can apply using the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System.
- If you are a staff member working in EU Institutions, please use the link to the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System above and ensure you select "EU institutions and Agencies" in the field "Group that represents you the best" in your profile.
- For any other enquiries please send a message to HADEA-BTSF-ACADEMY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu and the BTSF ACADEMY Team will be glad to assist you.
This eLearning course is aimed at allowing participants to improve their knowledge and skills in:
- EU legislation and relevant international standards.
- Background and principles of HACCP.
- HACCP methodology, development of HACCP plans and document management.
- Implementation and validation of HACCP plans.
- Information on the different materials used in Food Contact Materials.
- Audit principles and management, to verify implementation of HACCP systems and compliance with food and feed requirements.
Features
365 days access
- Average dedication: 8 hours
Online
- 5 Units
- Self-Paced
- Multimedia
Available in:
- English
- Other languages
How to Register
- You can apply using the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System.
- If you are a staff member working in EU Institutions, please use the link to the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System above and ensure you select "EU institutions and Agencies" in the field "Group that represents you the best" in your profile.
- For any other enquiries please send a message to HADEA-BTSF-ACADEMY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu and the BTSF ACADEMY Team will be glad to assist you.
The eLearning module aims to give a basic understanding of EU legislation on Food Improvement Agents (FIAs), in particular:
- How food additives, food flavourings and food enzymes are regulated in the EU.
- What are the requirements for their authorisation in the EU (Common Authorisation Procedure).
- What are the requirements for food business operators using FIAs in the EU.
- What should be verified by the competent authorities when confirming compliance with relevant legislation.
- To provide information about the current re-evaluation programme on food additives and flavourings.
Features
365 days access
- Average duration: 6 hours
Online
- 4 Units
- Self-Paced
- Multimedia
Available in:
- English
- Other languages
How to Register
- You can apply using the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System.
- If you are a staff member working in EU Institutions, please use the link to the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System above and ensure you select "EU institutions and Agencies" in the field "Group that represents you the best" in your profile.
- For any other enquiries please send a message to HADEA-BTSF-ACADEMY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu and the BTSF ACADEMY Team will be glad to assist you.
This eLearning course is aimed at allowing participants to improve their knowledge and skills in:
- The legislative requirements for fishery products and live bivalve molluscs throughout the production and distribution chain, including primary production.
- The requirements for vessels and on-land establishments.
- The tasks of the competent authorities.
- The tasks and responsibilities of food business operators in order to meet the legislative requirements for fishery products and live bivalve molluscs.
Features
365 days access
- Average dedication: 8 hours
Online
- 6 Units
- Self-Paced
- Multimedia
Available in:
- English
- German
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Other languages
How to Register
- You can apply using the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System.
- If you are a staff member working in EU Institutions, please use the link to the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System above and ensure you select "EU institutions and Agencies" in the field "Group that represents you the best" in your profile.
- For any other enquiries please send a message to HADEA-BTSF-ACADEMY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu and the BTSF ACADEMY Team will be glad to assist you.
The eLearning module aims to improve the knowledge and skills of official control staff on specific investigations techniques used to identify agri-food fraud and to differentiate it from involuntary non-compliance.
The specific objectives of the training are:
- To improve basic knowledge of agri-food fraud and agri-food fraud qualifying criteria.
- To present good practices, tools and procedures relating to investigation techniques helping to detect fraud in e-commerce linked with the agri-food sector.
- To help disseminate best practices on e-commerce surveillance.
- To complement existing BTSF training courses on e-commerce agri-food fraud investigation techniques.
Features
365 days access
- Average duration: 6 hours
Online
- 4 Units
- Self-Paced
- Multimedia
Available in:
- English
- Other languages
How to Register
- If you are an government official, you can apply using the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System.
- If you are a staff member working in EU Institutions contact HADEA-BTSF-ACADEMY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu to request registration.
- For any other enquiries please send a message to HADEA-BTSF-ACADEMY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu and the BTSF ACADEMY Team will be glad to assist you.
The eLearning module aims to improve the knowledge and skills of official control staff on specific investigations techniques used to identify agri-food fraud and to differentiate it from involuntary non-compliance.
The specific objectives of the training are:
- To improve basic knowledge of food fraud and food fraud qualifying criteria.
- To present good practices, tools and procedures relating to investigation techniques helping to detect fraud in the agri-food sector.
- To help disseminate best practices.
- To complement existing BTSF training courses on agri-food fraud investigation techniques.
Features
365 days access
- Average duration: 6 hours
Online
- 5 Units
- Self-Paced
- Multimedia
Available in:
- English
- Other languages
How to Register
- If you are an government official, you can apply using the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System.
- If you are a staff member working in EU Institutions contact HADEA-BTSF-ACADEMY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu to request registration.
- For any other enquiries please send a message to HADEA-BTSF-ACADEMY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu and the BTSF ACADEMY Team will be glad to assist you.
Food Contact Materials rules - eLearning Information
This eLearning course is aimed at allowing participants to improve their knowledge and skills in:
- EU legislation on Food Contact Materials with special focus on the changes adopted in the last few years.
- Setting up of national control plans for Food Contact Materials.
- Check-list used by the inspectors.
- Information on the different materials used in Food Contact Materials.
- How to inspect/check declaration of compliances and supporting documentation to the declaration of compliance.
Features
365 days access
- Average dedication: 8 hours
Online
- 5 Units
- Self-Paced
- Multimedia
Available in:
- English
- Other languages
How to Register
- You can apply using the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System.
- If you are a staff member working in EU Institutions, please use the link to the BTSF ACADEMY Training Management System above and ensure you select "EU institutions and Agencies" in the field "Group that represents you the best" in your profile.
- For any other enquiries please send a message to HADEA-BTSF-ACADEMY-SUPPORT@ec.europa.eu and the BTSF ACADEMY Team will be glad to assist you.
The overall objective of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on BTSF non-EU Sub-regional WS on CODEX Alimentarius is to strengthen the capacity of Member countries to participate actively in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its subsidiary bodies.
- Enhancing the understanding of the participants on the international trading system in agri-food products (WTO, SPS) and the role of international standard-setting bodies, with particular focus on the work of Codex.
- Strengthening the capacity of countries to participate actively in the development and implementation of standards by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) and its subsidiary bodies.
- Explaining the organization, management and procedures of Codex bodies.
- Supporting the establishment in participating countries of a strong, solid and sustainable national capacity to engage in Codex.
- Supporting the use and relevance of Codex standards, guidelines and codes of practice by countries in the region as an essential component of a science- and rule-based food safety system.
The course addresses the following topics:
- History and objectives of the Codex Alimentarius
- Organisation of the Codex Aliemntarius
- Elaboration and promotion of Codex standards
- Application of risk analysis
- Effective participation to the Codex meetings
- Proper use of Codex resources
- Specific Codex Committees such as the CCPR, CCCF, CCFA, etc.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- This Training Programme has been designed primarily for Codex Alimentarius member countries National Contact Points.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 01/10/2025 | 03/10/2025 | Nairobi | Kenya |
| 2 | 05/2026 | 05/2026 | Montevideo | Uruguay |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on Production and trade of bivalve molluscs within and into the EU are to give participants:
- a good understanding of the risks posed by the consumption of bivalve molluscs
- the legislation that is intended to provide the basis for control of those risks
- the practical application of those controls
The course addresses the following topics:
- the requirements, practical application and challenges in classifying and monitoring production areas.
- the required treatment of bivalve molluscs.
- certification requirements in relation to movements within and into the EU.
- the general rules and controls applying to food business operators.
- the application of good practices to the application of the legislation.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Staff from competent authorities in EU Member States and selected non-EU countries.
- Officials who are, primarily, field inspectors implementing official controls of bivalves molluscs from classified production areas and control activities in the bivalves molluscs production chain.
- Officials who are at headquarters’ level involved in planning official controls and development of monitoring programme of bivalve molluscs from classified production areas and control and monitoring activities in the bivalves molluscs production chain.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 08/09/2025 | 12/09/2025 | Rennes | France |
| 2 | 13/04/2026 | 17/04/2026 | Vigo | Spain |
| 3 | 18/05/2026 | 22/05/2026 | Thessaloniki | Greece |
| 4 | 14/09/2026 | 18/09/2026 | Venice | Italy |
| 5 | DD/11/2026 | DD/11/2026 | Online | Online |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training course on STM PROGRAMME on Listeria monocytogenes are:
- Explanation of EU legal framework for shelf-life studies;
- Analysis of Guidance documents on shelf-life studies- International European standards developed;
- Importance of determining a shelf-life -Prerequisite before starting shelf-life studies;
- Classification of RTE foods based on their physicochemical characteristics;
- Consideration of intrabatch/interbatch variability;
- Predictive microbiological modelling and software, database, case scenario and examples;
- Durability studies for Lm shelf-life verification;
- Challenge tests for shelf-life determination and use of the growth potential, of the maximum growth rate of Lm in RTE foods.
- Use of case studies and workshop exercises, based on specific Irish products / situations.
The course addresses the following topics:
- Listeria monocytogenes and RTE foods
- Explanation of EU legal framework for shelf-life studies
- Overview of studies in Annex II of Regulation 2073/2005
- Overview of relevant European guidance documents and ISO standards related to shelf-life studies
- Prerequisite before starting shelf-life studies
- Challenge tests to determine the growth of L. monocytogenes and growth rate with CT report to review Standard EN ISO 20976-1 Protocol + EURL Lm TGD
- Evaluation of a challenge test report
- Presentation of available predictive microbiology models and software for L. monocytogenes
- Use of Predictive Microbiology models and software to assess:
- Case study: Use of ComBase software to reduce salt concentration
- Case study 2: Use of FSSP software to set shelf life for new products
- Case study 3: Use of Sym’Previus software to consider product variability
- Evaluation of a Predictive Microbiology Report
- Surface sampling: horizontal methods for surface sampling
- Case study – L. monocytogenes environmental contamination in a RTE factory
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Competent Authorities Staff.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17/10/2023 | 19/10/2023 | Grange | Ireland |
| 2 | 31/10/2023 | 02/11/2023 | Grange | Ireland |
| 3 | 23/06/2025 | 26/06/2025 | Antequera | Spain |
| 4 | 30/09/2025 | 03/10/2025 | Zaragoza | Spain |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training course on STM PROGRAMME on Food Hygiene and Flexibility are:
- Raise awareness and improve understanding of flexibility provisions of the Hygiene Package;
- Highlight how provisions are not always used completely and not in the proper manner;
- Promote exchange of experience in order to increase the level of expertise and harmonization in the approach to flexibility;
- Ensure a better use of flexibility provisions
- Disseminate best practices for official controls when flexibility is applied;
- Raise awareness on notification procedures and importance of their adoption;
- Use of case studies and workshop exercises, based on specific Irish products/ situations.
The course addresses the following topics:
- Flexibility through the Hygiene Regulations: general overview and concept. Legal bases, flexibility provisions included in the FHP, EC guidance documents
- DG Sante findings in relation to the application of flexibility provisions of the Hygiene Package
- Activities excluded from the scope of the hygiene Regulations
- Direct supply from small producers to consumers: the situation in Ireland
- Flexibility for small businesses in relation to building, lay out and equipment
- Flexibility for small businesses: focus on the meat sector
- Flexibility for small businesses: focus on the dairy sector and on food of non animal origin sectors
- Flexibility with regard to the implementation of procedures based on the HACCP principles
- Flexibility and HACCP based procedures: the Irish situation
- Flexibility with regard to Regulation (EC) nº 2073/2005 and the Irish situation
- Flexibility provisions pursuant to Article 7 of Regulation (EC) nº 2074/2005, foods with traditional characteristics
- Flexibility measures to enable the continued use of traditional methods: scope and practical examples
- Flexibility measures to accommodate the needs of food businesses situated in regions subject to special geographic constraints
- Flexibility measures and documentation in individual establishments
- National measures and notification process
- Analysis of the notifications in the TRIS database and examples from the last notifications
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Irish Competent Authorities
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/10/2023 | 12/10/2023 | Grange | Ireland |
| 2 | 14/11/2023 | 16/11/2023 | Grange | Ireland |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training course on Supporting effective participation in CODEX activities for EU Member States are:
- to provide the European Union (EU) Member States (MS) with high-level training supporting effective participation in CODEX activities.
- Strengthen the capacity of EU Member States (MS) to participate actively in Codex Alimentarius work
- Enable MS delegates to actively contribute to Codex work by improving their understanding of Codex: procedures and organisation (Commission, Executive Committee, Subsidiary bodies, Electronic Working Groups);
- Enhance MS delegates’ understanding of EU coordination, EU objectives, and vision on Codex;
- Enhance negotiation skills in a multilateral environment through practical examples;
- Increase the impact of the EU and its Member States on the development of Codex standards.
The course addresses the following topics:
- EU Membership in Codex
- EU internal coordination procedures for effective work in Codex
- Negotiation techniques at international level
- Simulation of a Codex Committee session
- Organisation and procedures or Codex Alimentarius.
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
Participants must be officials from Member States who attend or will attend sessions of Codex Committees
While the workshop will have dedicated sessions on the work of the Codex Committee for Pesticide Residues (CCPR), the Codex Committee for Contaminants in Food (CCCF), or the Codex Committee for Fats and Oils (CCFO), delegates attending other Codex committees are also invited to participate.
Participant must:Have participated in a meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission or a Codex subsidiary body or will soon participate in meetings of a Codex Committee.
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16/10/2023 | 18/10/2023 | Brussels | Belgium |
BTSF Training Programme on Auditing general hygiene requirements and control procedures based on the HACCP principles developed by FBOs
This Course will allow participants to improve their knowledge and practical skills in:
- EU legislation and relevant international standards.
- Background and principles of HACCP and HACCP methodology, development of HACCP plans and document management.
- HACCP methodology, development of HACCP plans and document management.
- The students will learn the Implementation and validation of HACCP plans as well theInformation on the different materials used in Food Contact Materials.
- Finally they will able to audit principles and management, to verify implementation of HACCP systems and compliance with food and feed requirements.
- Topic 1. HACCP overview
- Topic 2. Prerequisites programmes
- Topic 3. HACCP method and plan
- Topic 4. The audit process
- Topic 5. Guides and flexibility
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- Staff of competent authorities performing planning and control activities in the food sector (preferably at central level)
- Field inspectors involved in official control activities in food establishments
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TS01 | 07/11/2022 | 11/11/2022 | Prague | Czech Republic |
| TS02 | 12/12/2022 | 16/12/2022 | Athens | Greece |
| TS03 | 30/01/2023 | 03/02/2023 | Lisbon | Portugal |
| TS04 | 27/02/2023 | 03/03/2023 | Athens | Greece |
| TS05 | 27/03/2023 | 31/03/2023 | Lyon | France |
| TS06 | 15/05/2023 | 19/05/2023 | Prague | Czech Republic |
| TS07 | 19/06/2023 | 23/06/2023 | Riga | Latvia |
| TS08 | 11/09/2023 | 15/09/2023 | Riga | Latvia |
| TS09 | 16/10/2023 | 20/10/2023 | Riga | Latvia |
| TS10 | 13/11/2023 | 17/11/2023 | Prague | Czech Republic |
| TS11 | 11/12/2023 | 15/12/2023 | Lisbon | Portugal |
| TS12 | 29/01/2024 | 02/02/2024 | Athens | Greece |
| TS13 | 26/02/2024 | 01/03/2024 | Lisbon | Portugal |
BTSF Training course on Course 1: EU regulations and guidelines applicable to the control of contaminants
The objectives of Course 1: EU regulations and guidelines applicable to the control of contaminants are:
- Harmonising the understanding of EU requirements for the controls on contaminants
- Improving the general knowledge on contaminants, their sources and existing EU guidelines for their prevention
- Promoting exchanges and cooperation within EU
Please verify compliance with the following selection criteria before applying:
- Competent Authority staff responsible for the control of contaminants in feed and food
- basic knowledge of the area is sufficient to take part in the course
- have preferably not attended CTM Phase 1 (2017-2018) training for the same course
- have relevant educational background and professional experience
- commit to disseminate the obtained knowledge among stakeholders in their home country
- have a good working level of English
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VC01 | 12/04/2021 | 16/04/2021 | n/a | n/a |
| VC03 | 10/05/2021 | 14/05/2021 | n/a | n/a |
| VC04 | 31/05/2021 | 04/06/2021 | n/a | n/a |
| VC05 | 07/06/2021 | 11/06/2021 | n/a | n/a |
| VC06 | 28/06/2021 | 02/07/2021 | n/a | n/a |
| VC08 | 04/10/2021 | 08/10/2021 | n/a | n/a |
| VC09 | 25/10/2021 | 29/10/2021 | n/a | n/a |
| VC11 | 06/12/2021 | 10/12/2021 | n/a | n/a |
| VC13 | 31/01/2022 | 04/02/2022 | n/a | n/a |
| VC14 | 07/03/2022 | 11/03/2022 | n/a | n/a |
| VC17 | 30/05/2022 | 03/06/2022 | n/a | n/a |