Legal
The purpose and scope of the IHR (2005) are very broad, focusing upon almost all serious public health risks that might spread across international borders. To this end, the IHR (2005) contain rights and obligations for States Parties (and functions for WHO) concerning national and international surveillance; assessment and public health response; health measures applied by States Parties to international travellers, aircraft, ships, motor vehicles and goods; public health at international ports, airports and ground crossings (together referred to as “points of entry”); and many other subjects. In light of the expansive definitions of "disease", "event", "public health risk" and other relevant terms in the IHR (2005), the coverage of the Regulations includes much more than a list of specific infectious diseases. Accordingly, the IHR (2005) cover a wide range of public health risks of potential international concern, whether biological, chemical or radionuclear in origin or source, and whether potentially transmitted by persons, goods, food, animals, vectors or the environment.
An adequate legal framework to support and enable all of the varied IHR (2005) State Party activities is needed in each State. For these reasons, States Parties to the IHR (2005) should consider assessing their relevant existing legislation to determine whether they may be appropriate for revision in order to facilitate full and efficient implementation of the Regulations.
WHO Guidance for the use of Annex 2 of the International Health Regulations (2005) - Decision instrument for the assessment and notification of events that may constitute a public
health emergency of international concern>
Publication date: 2010
Source: WHO
English
IHR Monitoring framework: checklist and indicators for monitoring progress in the development of IHR core capacities in State Parties and Summary of Processes Used in the Development of the IHR Monitoring Framework and Indicators
Publication date: 2010
Source: WHO
Checklist English
Process English
Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) - Draft plan for the first review of the functioning of the International Health Regulations (2005) in relation to pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - 126th Executive Board Information Document
Publication date: 2010
Source: WHO
Arabic
Chinese
English
French
Russian
Spanish
A brief introduction to implementation in national legislation
Publication date: 2009
Source: WHO
Chinese
English
French
Russian
Spanish
This document provides a brief introduction to legislative implementation of the IHR (2005) to assist States Parties in initiating such processes.
IHR (2005): Toolkit for implementation in national legislation: Questions and answers, legislative reference and assessment tool and examples of national legislation -- full document
Publication date: 2009
Source: WHO
English
This toolkit provides detailed guidance on the implementation of IHR requirements in national legislation.
IHR (2005): Toolkit for implementation in national legislation: Questions and answers, legislative reference and assessment tool and examples of national legislation -- by part
Publication date: 2009
Source: WHO
Cover_and_Contents.pdf
Users_Guide.pdf
Part_I_Questions_and_Answers.pdf
Part II_Legislative_assessment_and_potential_follow-up.pdf
Part_II_The_legislative_reference_and_assessment_tool.doc
Table_III_Selected_Key_Definitions_in_the_IHR_(2005).pdf
Part_III_Compilation_of_examples_of_national_legislation.pdf
Appendix_Selected_secondary_sources.pdf
Toolkit for implementation in national legislation: The National IHR Focal Point (NFP)
Publication date: 2009
Source: WHO
English
This toolkit provides detailed guidance on the implementation of NFP-related IHR requirements in national legislation.
National IHR Focal Point Guide: The designation or establishment of National IHR Focal Points
Publication date: 2006
Source: WHO
Arabic
Chinese
English
French
Russian
Spanish
International Health Regulations (2005). Second edition
Publication date: 2008
Source: WHO
Arabic
Chinese
English
French
Russian
Spanish
Report by the Director-General to the 124th Executive Board
Publication date: December 2008
Source: WHO
Arabic
Chinese
English
French
Russian
Spanish
World Health Assembly Resolution 61.2 Implementation of the IHR (2005)
Publication date: May 2008
Source: WHO
English
French
Russian
Spanish
State Parties reports to the 61st World Health Assembly
Explanatory letter and Annex - Proposed reporting format
Publication date: February 2008
Source: WHO
Arabic1
Arabic2
English1
English2
French1
French2
Russian2
Spanish1
Spanish2
Report by the Secretariat to the 61st World Health Assembly
Publication date: April 2008 and Corrigendum
Source: WHO
Arabic1
Arabic2
Chinese1
Chinese2
English1
English2
French1
French2
Russian1
Russian2
Spanish1
Spanish2
State Parties to the IHR (2005)
Publication date: 2008 (updated)
Source: WHO
English
French
Russian
World Health Assembly Resolution 54.14 - Global health security: epidemic alert and response
Publication date: 2001
Source: WHO
Arabic
Chinese
English
French
Russian
Spanish
IHR (1969) (No longer in force)
Publication date: 1983
Source: WHO
Arabic
English
French
Russian
Spanish