Published responses
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Overview
The Australian Government is focused on improving productivity and encouraging innovation in the Australian economy. It has undertaken a deregulation agenda focused on eliminating inefficient and unnecessary regulations on businesses, individuals and the community.
The National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009 Part 4 defines how measurements related to packaging are controlled. It describes how the name, address and measurement mark should be displayed, what expressions are prohibited on the package and details whether the product matches the weight marking.
The regulations are based on uniform trade measurement legislation developed by the states and territories in the early 1990s, and have not been the subject of a comprehensive review since that time.
Why your views matter
This review seeks business and community feedback on the following broad questions:
1. Can the regulations be simplified?
2. Could the exemptions to the regulations be expanded (or reduced)?
3. Should a principles based approach be adopted for the regulations overseeing the measurement mark?
In this review, the Department is keen to understand the costs to business and the community of complying with the regulations outlined in Part 4 of the National Trade Measurement Regulations. Evidence supporting a proposed change, or maintaining the status quo, will guide the review process.
For example, the regulations offer little flexibility in the way that the measurement mark is presented on a package. Businesses that import non-compliant products currently have to re-sticker and re-label products that can cost time, money and resources for undefined benefits to the community. The Department is seeking to understand the costs or benefits to business and consumers if the regulations were moved to a principled approach, similar to other Australian labelling regulations.
If you wish to provide input to this review process please answer the questions in this online survey. In addition, you may wish to provide a submission which can be uploaded at the end of the survey.
Providing your input in the survey format will assist in collating and analysing your submissions.
If it is not possible for you to complete the online survey, you may also email submissions to: PackagingReview@industry.gov.au
Your response will be provided to the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, which will collate the results for informing the development of options to reform Part 4 of the National Trade Measurement Regulations.
Submissions may be published online or quoted at the discretion of the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. Please indicate in the Packaging Review of the NMI regulations section whether your submission includes confidential information, is not for publication or your name is not to be published with your submission.
Your name and email address is requested in case we have questions about your response. If provided, your email may be used to inform you of further developments in the review process including further opportunities to provide feedback.
All responses will be published on the consultation website unless you specify otherwise.
Important note: It is important to be aware that confidential submissions may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information law.
What happens next
Thank you for your interest in the review of the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009, Part 4: Packaging. This consultation is now closed. The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science is now assessing submissions and will consider possible reform actions in due course. Further updates on the review can be found at the department's Packaging Review website
Download All Published Responses
Download all submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.
Related
Review of the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009, Part 4: Packaging 354.6 KB (Office Word 2007 XML document)