O bjectives of the Consultation

International H ealth Regulations Page 3

4. REVISIO N PRO CESS O F IH R AND IM PLICATIO NS:

Key changes for real time needs

4.1 Need for IH R

Serious and unusual disease events are inevitable. W ith Globalization, the problem in one location has increasingly become a challenge beyond geographic borders. An agreed code of conduct protects against the spread of serious risks to public health and the unnecessary or excessive use of restrictions in traffic or trade for public health purposes.

4.2 The Expectation

The revised IH R maintains the best of the current IH R to make it more relevant to emergencies faced today. It envisages a more flexible approach to deal with different types of Public H ealth Emergencies of International Concern PH EIC and the need for varied levels of response and aims to achieve a balance between urgency of action and transparency of the process of notification. It is a “ package” of rules, guides, resources, programmes and activities that work together. W hile it may not meet the expectations of everyone, it is a much better compromise than the status quo.

4.3 Legal Basis of IH R

The revision of IH R and its adoption by M ember countries is based on legal provisions as stipulated in two important Articles. Article 21 of the W H O Constitution states that “ The H ealth Assembly shall have the authority to adopt regulations concerning sanitary and quarantine requirements and other procedures designed to prevent the international spread of disease” . Article 22 provides: “ Regulations adopted pursuant to Article 21 shall come into force for all M embers after due notice has been given of their adoption by the H ealth Assembly except for such M embers as may notify the Director-General of rejection or reservations within the period stated in the notice” .

4.4 Revision Process

The IH R revision Secretariat at W H O H Q coordinates the process, including drafting and dissemination, incorporation of comments into the document and support to regional and national consultations. The process of revision