Current Status of Integration of Coordination and Supervision of Food Safety Standards in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) free trade agreement and related policies have promoted the rapid development of trade, the ASEAN has given full play to its regional advantages in the field of edible agricultural products, and has become China’s largest trade partner. The increasing technical barriers to food trade in the ASEAN region show that there are great differences in its member countries’ standards and supervisory measures for their advantageous industries and products. At present, the ASEAN has initially established a food coordination and mutual recognition standard system, including food safety policies, coordination standards and technical specifications, in order to establish a unified regulatory framework of food safety standards and expand the influence of regional trade. Understanding the implementation of trade barrier measures and the current status of food safety standard coordination and supervision in the ASEAN is conducive to maintaining public safety, reducing trade costs, dealing with possible trade barriers, and further strengthening integrated cooperation between China and ASEAN in key areas such as standards and technical regulations.