G/TBT/N/AUS/139  
15 March 2022  
(22-2293) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  AUSTRALIA   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:  Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if dif ferent from above:   
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade email: tbt.enquiry@dfat.gov.au  
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Organic 
products  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Domestic 
organic regulation framework: Consultation regulation impact statement (30 page(s), in 
English)  
6. Description of content:  The Australian Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, 
Water and the Environment (DAWE) is undertaking a public consultation process on 
potential improvements to Australia's d omestic organic regulatory framework. As part of 
this process, DAWE has released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) 
available at https://haveyoursay.awe.gov.au/organics . The RIS examines  possible policy 
problems with the current system, as well as potential regulatory and non -regulatory 
options for reform.  
One of the regulatory options identified in the document is the introduction of a mandatory 
domestic organics standard which would app ly to products sold as organic in Australia, 
including imports.  
The exact nature of regulation as it applies to imports would be advised at a later date, 
pending consultation outcomes and further consideration by the Australian government.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Objective  The purpose of the consultation process is to seek comments on 
how Australia regulates organic products domestically and can support industry growth 
and consumer c onfidence. Rationale  DAWE has received feedback that Australia's 
domestic regulatory organic framework may no longer be fit for purpose, and intends to 
gather evidence on this to inform government consideration around possible changes.; 
Consumer informatio n, labelling; Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer 
protection  G/TBT/N/AUS/139  
 
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  8. Relevant documents:   
 Domestic organic regulation framework: Consultation regulation impact statement.  
9. Proposed date of adoption:  To be advised  
Proposed date of entry into force:  To be advised  
10. Final date for comments:  60 days from notification  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
https://haveyoursay.awe.gov.au/organics  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2022/TBT/AUS/22_2240_00_e.pdf