Standing recommendations

The standing recommendations are issued by the Director-General of the World Health Organization in accordance with provisions of Articles 1, 16 to 18, and 50 to 53 of the International Health Regulations (2005).

Standing recommendations are defined as “non-binding advice issued by WHO for specific ongoing public health risks pursuant to Article 16 regarding appropriate health measures for routine or periodic application needed to prevent or reduce the international spread of disease and minimize interference with international traffic.”

The Director-General has the authority to issue standing recommendations when considering that these are necessary and appropriate to address a specific public health risk, and in accordance with the criteria enumerated in Article 17 of the IHR. The Director-General has also the authority of  modifying or terminating standing recommendations.

Prior to issuing, modifying, or terminating standing recommendations, the Director-General shall convene a Review Committee to advise in that respect.

Standing recommendations, together with the report of the relevant Review Committee shall be communicated to States Parties and submitted by the Director-General to the subsequent Health Assembly for its consideration.