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The OECD is the main reference for the certification and standardisation of certain agricultural commodities and inputs. The work of the Organisation in this area involves both Member and non-Member economies and focuses on the creation of common criteria in order to facilitate international trade. Participating countries are Members of the OECD, the United Nations or the WTO.
About 60 governments have established voluntary international rules in respect of varietal seed identification, forest reproductive material classification, fruit and vegetable quality standards and control procedures, and tractor performance and safety assessment. These codes provide passports for international trade.
The codes and standards can be employed by the users and traders of these products through National Authorities. The relevant industries implement these rules. Depending on countries, various schemes exist from direct enforcement to accreditation procedures.
National Authorities review implementation, propose amendments to the Rules and decide on admission of new applicant countries. Regular updates take account of technological change, new regulatory approaches and emerging policy issues. A number of international organisations - governmental or not - are observers in the elaboration of the Rules, which are validated by OECD Council Decisions.
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