Competent Authorities should use the standards in the Aquatic Code to develop measures for prevention, early detection, internal reporting, notification and control of pathogenic agents in aquatic animals (amphibians, crustaceans, fish and molluscs) and preventing their spread via international trade in aquatic animals and aquatic animal products, while avoiding unjustified sanitary barriers to trade. The standards in the Aquatic Code have been formally adopted by the World Assembly of OIE Delegates, which constitutes the organisation’s highest decision-making body. Given the formal recognition of OIE standards, recommendations and guidelines in the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the Aquatic Code is also a key part of the WTO legal framework for international trade.