G/SPS/N/AUS/433/Add.8  
31 March 2021  
(21-2655) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication, received on 26 March 2021, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Australia . 
 
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Agricultural Export Legislation - Commencement of Australia's new agricultural export legislation  
The Australian Government is introducing a new legal framework for Australia's agricultural exports.  
The new export legislation commences on 28 March 2021 at 3am Australian Eastern Daylight Time 
and consists of the:  
· Export Control Act 2020  (the Act) which sets out the overarching legal framework for the 
regulation of exported goods including food and agricultural products from Australia.  
· Export Control Rules 2021 (the Rules) which are the legislative instruments that set out the 
operational requirements that must be met to export specific goods from Australia (eg meat). 
The Rules must be read in conjunction with the Act.  
The new legislation streamlines and consolidates the existing export -related requirements included 
in more than 20 Acts and 40 pieces of delegated legislation. The benefits of the new legislation include 
that it will:  
· be more relevant, responsive and efficient for exporters, farmers and other primary producers  
· provide strong regulation, while removing d uplication and ensuring consistency across 
commodities where possible  
· clarify and simplify regulatory requirements, such as those that relate to authorised officers.  
It will also continue to ensure:  
· exported goods meet importing country requirements  
· compliance with government and relevant industry standards  
· traceability through the exports supply chain where required  
· the integrity of goods and the accuracy of applied trade descriptions and official marks.  
The department has consulted at l ength with its stakeholders, including trading partners to ensure 
the improved legal framework is clear and fit for purpose - supporting growth and innovation, while 
maintaining the standards our trading partners expect.  
There is no change to Australia's c ommitment to meet the importing requirements of our trading 
partners, and the improved legislation will continue to meet Australia's international obligations, 
including those under the SPS agreement.  
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environmen t's website is being updated for the 
commencement of the new legislation. From 28 March 2021, our Improved Agricultural Export 
Legislation web page will include the latest information on Australia's new agricultural export 
legislation, including links to t he Export Control Act 2020 , the Export Control Rules 2021 and 
supporting information sheets.  
Please review this information and refer any questions about the new legislation to the Australian 
Government via the Australian SPS Notification Authority.  G/SPS/N/AUS/433/Add.8  
 
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  This addendum concerns a:  
[ ] Modification of final date for comments  
[X] Notification of adoption, publication or entry into force of regulation  
[ ] Modification of content and/or scope of previously notified draft regulation  
[ ] Withdrawal of proposed regulation  
[ ] Change in proposed date of adoption, publication or date of entry into force  
[ ] Other:  
Comment period: (If the addendum extends the scope of the previously notified measure 
in terms of products and/or potentially affected Members, a new deadline for receipt of 
comments should be provided, normally of at least 60 calendar days. Under other 
circumstances, such as extension of originally announced final date for comments, the 
comment period provided in the addendum ma y vary.)  
[X] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the addendum to the notification and/or 
(dd/mm/yy) : 30 May 2021  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X]  National Notification Authority, 
[ ] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other 
body:  
The Australian SPS Notification Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra   ACT  2601 
Australia  
Fax:  +(61 2) 6272 3678  
E-mail:  sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au  
Text(s) available from: [X]  National Notification Authority, [  ] National Enquiry Point. 
Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:  
The Australian SPS Notification Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra   ACT  2601 
Australia  
Fax:  +(61 2) 6272 3 678 
E-mail:  sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au  
 
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