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COMMITTEE GUIDELINES
11-20-02
COMMITTEE ISSUES
Committee chairs, members and investigators should use the following criteria to determine if an issue or a proposed/suggested change needs to be addressed by this Association. The criteria are applicable to all AAFCO investigators and the following committees: Collaborative Check Sample, Communications, Environmental Issues, Feed Labeling, Feed Manufacturing, Ingredient Definitions, Inspection and Sampling, Laboratory Methods and Services, Long Range Planning, Model Bill & Regulations, Pet Food, Program Audit and States-Industry Relations. At this time, the other Association committees do not address issues or changes impacted by these criteria. Committees not listed should use the following criteria if presented with an issue or change, as appropriate. Task forces and working groups are charged by the Board or the President.
Does the issue or change:
1. Provide protection for the consumer and the regulated industry.
2. Safeguard the health of humans or animals.
3. Provide a structure for orderly commerce.
An issue or proposed change should meet at least one of the three criteria to be considered by a committee/investigator. Committee chairs and their members determine whether an issue or proposed change meet the criteria. Committee chairs may seek guidance from the AAFCO Committee Coordinator (President-Elect) for issues that do not meet any of the above criteria prior to becoming a committee/investigator project.
All proposals submitted by a petitioner for issues or changes to be addressed by a committee/investigator should be presented with a justification stating:
- The benefit of the proposal to humans and animals;
- The benefit of the proposal to the consumer;
- The benefit of the proposal to the regulated industry; and
- The benefit of the proposal to the regulators.
An amendment to the AAFCO Model Bill and Regulation should only be made when it improves the clarity, design or intent of the statute or regulation, addresses a change in technology or enhances any of the three main criteria.
Committee resources are not intended to address industry competitive based marketing concerns.
COMMITTEE ETHICS
The following policy is applicable to all AAFCO members when acting on behalf of the Association. Committee chairs, members and investigators should not accept gifts, meals, beverages, trips, tickets for events, etc. from any individual, company or association when representing or acting on behalf of this Association. The policy also applies to the Board of Directors, Officers, and Employees of this Association. This policy does not apply to incidental beverages or meals at industry functions/meetings where AAFCO members are requested participants or speakers. This policy does not apply to industry functions/meetings or receptions when the individual is representing his/her own organization. Participation in those situations should be conducted under the ethical criteria and standards established by that member’s organization. AAFCO members may contact the AAFCO Board of Directors if they have questions regarding the applicability of this policy.
COMMITTEE SPOKESPERSON
Each committee, sub-committee, task force or working group should identify a spokesperson to handle inquiries from industry, media and the public. AAFCO investigators are the spokesperson for their particular area of expertise. While the spokesperson may not always be the chair of that group, the person should be an AAFCO member. This individual is responsible for all inquiries and the release of committee work.
DRAFT COMMITTEE WORK
All committee work that is not completed should be marked with the word, “draft”. Draft committee work is releasable only with the permission of the spokesperson of the applicable group. Members, advisors and other individuals assigned to participate in this Association’s functions are permitted to share committee work within their own organizations with the understanding that “draft” committee work may not be released without the permission of the committee spokesperson.
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