The INC participated in the 80th Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards, in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 18-19, 2025.
UNECE’s role in setting international agricultural quality standards is essential to the functioning of the global food trade. The INC is committed to actively supporting UNECE’s work to review and strengthen these standards.
During the meeting, the INC provided an update on its key activities, including the launch of the Sustainability Certification program, which aims to become an industry benchmark for sustainability. The INC also emphasized the need to review the UNECE quality standards for macadamias in upcoming sessions.
Regarding Quality Standards for Dry and Dried Produce, revisions to the standards for in-shell walnuts and prunes were adopted. In addition, minor modifications to the standard layout for other products and the alignment of older versions (2022) were endorsed.
Building on the INC’s survey on climate change impacts and grower resilience, discussions were held on how changing conditions affect product quality attributes. Additional exchanges focused on digitalization and food loss and waste.
The meeting concluded with the approval of a program of work for the coming year, which will prioritize keeping the standards updated, strengthening capacity building, and advancing sustainable food systems and resource efficiency.
Meeting documents are available online at https://unece.org/info/events/event/trade/wp7/wp7-80th-2025