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The current international system for controlling radioactivity in consumer products is governed by distinct guidance, e.g. the Codex Alimentarius for food (including bottled water) in international trade, IAEA safety standards for food and drinking water for use in an emergency, WHO guidelines for drinking water in existing exposure situations and IAEA safety standards for non-edible products for exemption purposes. There is a need for harmonization among the international standards for acceptable levels of radioactivity in products for public consumption in order to facilitate their application by regulatory bodies and their understanding by the public. National standards need to be in line with international standards, where this is feasible. Moreover, there is a need for criteria for dealing with the protracted presence of radionuclides on land. Guidance also needs to be developed for international trade to control of contaminated non-edible commodities. There is a need for transparency in the derivation and implementation of reference levels of activity in food and other commodities to facilitate understanding. The terminology used needs to be clarified. Moreover, existing guidelines do not fully address commodities assessed by measuring surface activity (there is a need for criteria in terms of Bq/cm2). A review is needed to identify any gaps in existing international standards and to identify the work necessary to achieve an international consensus on such standards.