ILO Sectoral codes of practice are reference tools setting out principles that can be reflected in the design and implementation of policies, strategies, programmes, legislation, administrative measures and social dialogue mechanisms in particular economic sectors or clusters of sectors. Sectoral codes of practice are adopted by Meetings of Experts comprising governments, employers and workers. They can be implemented progressively to take into account different national settings, cultures, and social, economic, environmental and political contexts. Sectoral codes of practice draw their principles from the ILO’s international labour standards (Conventions and Recommendations) and other sources, including Declarations, codes of conduct and other policy guidance adopted and endorsed by the International Labour Conference or the ILO Governing Body. They also draw on other international agreements and policy in the sector concerned, as well as on relevant trends and developments in regional and national law and practice. Sectoral codes of practice focus on the issues that are priorities for governments, employers and workers, and that are unique to particular economic sectors and industries. While international labour standards normally deal with more general principles of labour law and practice, Sectoral codes of practice specify the principles and processes that could be implemented to promote decent work in particular workplaces or contexts. They benefit from the expertise of practitioners in the relevant sectors to capture good industry practices and innovations. Sectoral codes of practice are not legally binding. They are not subject to ratification or supervisory mechanisms established under the ILO’s international labour standards. Sectoral codes of practice can therefore be aspirational in scope and expand on principles laid down in international labour standards and other international agreements and policy, all the while recognizing that they can be adapted to different national systems and circumstances. As such, ILO standards and other tools or guidance adopted and endorsed by the International Labour Conference and/or the Governing Body form the foundation on which Sectoral codes of practice build further. It is therefore understood that Sectoral codes of practice are based on the full principles, rights, and obligations set out in international labour standards, and nothing set out in these codes of practice should be understood as lowering such standards.