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China, India and Russia are already among the 26 countries which adhere to the OECD’s Tractor Codes. Extending safety and environmental standards to countries throughout Latin America, Africa and Asia is being pursued through OECD partnerships with a number of UN and other international organisations.

“With more than 50 million tractors around the world, over a billion workers in the agriculture sector and billions of tons of food produced each year, OECD Tractor Codes play a crucial role enhancing labour safety, improving the environment and contributing to global food security,” said Sandro Liberatori, Chair of the annual meeting on Tractor Codes.



Around 30 OECD testing stations worldwide have assessed more than 3000 tractor models since the first Code was established in 1959.  The Tractor Codes main objectives are to:

•    enhance operatory safety via adequate testing of tractor protective structures (one in two fatal workplace accidents in the world take place in agriculture);
•    improve environmental safety by encouraging fuel efficiency and reducing engine emissions;     
•    guarantee food security and facilitate trade.

The annual Tractor Codes meeting gives machinery experts, government officials, and business and farmers’ representatives the opportunity to ensure that technical aspects of the tests are adapted to the latest developments and conditions. Discussions also cover effective implementation of the codes and communication and cooperation with all interested bodies.

Other international organisations working in partnership on the OECD Tractor Codes include UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations), the European Commission (EC) and UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific).

Background

The first Standard Code for the Official Testing of Agricultural Tractors was approved on 21st April 1959, by the Council of the OEEC (Organisation for European Economic Co-operation) which became the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). This Code has since been extended to cover forestry tractors and other features of performance, safety and noise.

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