A proposal for new work to develop a new international standard that applies to microbial omega-3 oils was approved to move forward by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). The new standard would apply to a variety of algae-derived EPA and DHA oils.

The proposal, which the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED) worked on for over a year, is intended to establish a global standard for microbial omega-3 oils to ensure free trade around the world.

The original proposal was discussed in the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils earlier this year and the approval last month by the CAC was the next step in the process of adopting a standard.

The approval also means that work will continue within an electronic working group (EWG) set up earlier this year, led by the United States as chair and China as co-chair. The first draft of the standard is anticipated to be presented at the 29^th session of the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO29) in 2026.