NetCode
Network for Global Monitoring and Support for Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and Subsequent relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions (NetCode)
Vision
The vision of the Network for Global Monitoring and Support for Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions (NetCode) is a world in which all sectors of society are protected from the inappropriate and unethical marketing of breast-milk substitutes and other products covered by the scope of the International Code and relevant WHA resolutions.
Goal
The goals of NetCode is to strengthen Member States’ and civil society capacity to monitor the International Code and relevant WHA resolutions; and to facilitate the development, monitoring and enforcement of national Code legislation by Member States, by bringing together a group of committed actors to support these processes.
Objectives
- Guide the adaptation and development of a monitoring framework, protocols and training materials for monitoring of the International Code and relevant WHA resolutions, and the formulation, monitoring and enforcement of national Code legislation;
- Facilitate the further development and strengthening of Member States and civil society capacity for monitoring of the International Code and relevant WHA resolutions, and the formulation, monitoring and enforcement of national Code legislation;
- Facilitate the continued strengthening of national Code-legislation monitoring and enforcement by Member States; and,
- Provide input to WHO’s Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Actions (GINA) on policies and actions taken on national Code legislation, monitoring, and enforcement.
Breastfeeding infant
For more information please contact:
Dr Larry Grummer-Strawn
Email: grummerstrawnl@who.int
NetCode toolkit for ongoing monitoring and periodic assessment of the Code
The Network for Global Monitoring and Support for Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and Subsequent relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions (NetCode) has developed this toolkit to reinvigorate and reinforce ongoing monitoring and periodic assessment of the Code and national laws by providing protocols, guidance, and tools.
For the Code to be effective in protecting breastfeeding it is of vital importance that governments monitor adherence to the Code and, when violations are detected, impose sanctions as permitted by national legislation. To perform this function, they need practical and concrete guidelines and tools. To this end, NetCode has developed a toolkit comprised of two protocols.
Findings and results from implementation of either protocol can be used to advocate for the strengthening of existing legislative and regulatory frameworks. They can also be used to identify and make public information on manufacturers, distributors, retail outlets and health care facilities that fail to comply with the Code and national laws.
This toolkit is intended to evolve over time and new tools will be added, so visit the site regularly for the latest updates and additions.
This relates to the setting up of an ongoing government-run monitoring system, ideally integrated into existing regulatory and enforcement systems, to continuously monitor adherence to the Code in a systematic and sustainable way so as to take immediate enforcement action. The specific objectives of the ongoing monitoring system are to:
- detect violations of the national laws and/or the Code;
- document and report such violations;
- investigate and validate whether the reported activities are indeed violations;
- activate an enforcement mechanism that would stop such violations and deter future violations; and
- hold manufacturers, distributors, retail outlets, the health-care system and health-care workers to account for their breeches of national laws and/or the Code.
Netcode toolkit: monitoring the marketing of breast-milk substitutes: protocol for...
This relates to conduct of a periodic assessment (every 3 to 5 years) to quantify the level of compliance with national laws and the Code, and identify gaps and issues that will need to be addressed through policy and legislative measures, programming and investments. The specific objectives of the periodic assessment are to:
- assess quantitatively the level of compliance with the provisions of the Code and national measures;
- assess trends and changes in compliance over time;
- identify priority areas for Code implementation and enforcement work; and
- reveal gaps and limitations of national laws.
NetCode toolkit: monitoring the marketing of breast-milk substitutes: protocol for...
How to choose which protocol to use
The two protocols in this toolkit, while complementary, are designed to be used independently. While they can both be used at the same time, it is more likely that countries will decide initially to implement one or the other. Which one to initially implement will differ from country to country, depending on their specific context, resources and need for information.
Implementation of ongoing monitoring has the advantage that it can lead to immediate results, if violations are identified, verified and enforcement action taken. It also requires active government involvement at the onset as, by default, it must be embedded within existing systems related to the control and regulation of customs, food, and advertising laws, among others. When government officials are involved in data collection they are more empowered to act when violations are identified and verified. In many countries, food and health inspectors are able to take immediate action, such as removal of a product or promotional material when observing a violation. Setting up ongoing monitoring will entail an investment of time and resources at the onset in order to get the system up and running; however, it has the advantage of being sustainable once it becomes part of a government’s core function. Another advantage is that ongoing monitoring may improve compliance with the Code and national laws by manufacturers, distributors and the health sector as they become aware of its existence. For countries that are just adopting national laws, it is good practice to plan and set up an ongoing monitoring system as part of the initial implementation of the legislation. |
Implementation of periodic assessment has the advantage of providing quantitative estimates of violations so as to get an overall picture of the situation with respect to Code compliance. This snapshot of compliance—or lack of compliance—with the Code can be used to advocate national authorities for strengthening Code laws and enforcement and/or budgets to strengthen ongoing monitoring. In addition, by using consistent methods, periodic assessments enable trends in Code compliance to be tracked over time. Periodic assessments can be useful to establish a baseline at the time of new laws being introduced. Periodic assessments typically require the presence of an academic institution or non-governmental organization with experience in conducting field assessments. Use of the periodic assessment protocol is likely to be particularly useful when a country does not have national legislation, as the report generated can be used to advocate for a Code law.
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Events
Publication
Marketing of breast-milk substitutes: national implementation of the international code, status report...
This report provides updated information on the status of implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (BMS) and...
Marketing of breast-milk substitutes: national implementation of the international code, status report...
This report provides updated information on the status of implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent relevant...
The international code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes: frequently asked questions
Many people who have heard about the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes have expressed interest in knowing more about it. The...
This report provides updated information on the status of implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant...
International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes
The World Health Organization and UNICEF have for many years emphasized the importance of maintaining the practice of breastfeeding, and of reviving the...
Document
Monitoring the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes
Protocol for the assessment and monitoring of "The Code" and relevant national measures
Additional documents
Country implementation of the international code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes: status report...
Globally, breastfeeding has the potential to prevent about 800 000 deaths among children under five each year if all children 0–23 months were optimally...
The International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes: summary of action taken by WHO member...
Since the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in 1981, the Director-General of WHO has reported every two years...
The international code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes: survey of national legislation and other...
Since the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in 1981, Member States of the World Health Organization have responded...
The International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes: synthesis of reports on action taken...
On 21 May 1981, by resolution WHA34.22, the Thirty-fourth World Health Assembly adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitute in...