G/TBT/N/AUS/100  
 
7 December 2015  
(15-6452)  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: 
The Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science 
Portfolio Strategic Policy Division 
Telephone: +61 2 6276 1085 Facsimile: +61 2 6213 7615 
E-mail: originlabelling@industry.gov.au   
Website: https://consult.industry.gov.au/cool-taskforce/cool   
Name and address (including telephon e and fax numbers, email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above : 
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 applic able, otherwise national tariff heading. 
ICS numbers may be provided in  addition, wher e applicable): Foods sold in Australia 
(imported and domestically produced): HS Chapters 2-22, inclusive 
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  
 Country of Origin Labelling – Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (English, 
63 pages) 
 Country of Origin Labelling – Consultation Draft Information Standard for Food 
(English, 32 pages) 
 Country of Origin Labelling – Draft Information Standard Explanatory and Discussion 
Paper (English, 11 pages) 
 Country of Origin Labelling – Exposure Draft Bill – Australian Consumer Law Safe 
Harbour Defences (English, 11 pages) 
 Country of Origin Labelling – Draft Safe Harbour Defence Changes Explanatory and 
Discussion Paper (English, 13 pages) 
 Country of Origin Labelling – Proposed changes to the Australian Made, Australian 
Grown Certification Trade Mark Code  of Practice (English, 2 pages) 
 Country Of Origin Labelling For Food – FAQ for International Trading Partners 
(English, 2 pages)  
6. Description of content: The Australian Government is proposing changes to existing 
requirements for country of origin labelling for food to respond to consumer calls for 
clearer and more consistent information on product labels.  
Under the proposed changes, domestic and imported foods will continue to be required to 
make a true country of origin statement to reflect where the product was produced, made 
or grown. 
The main proposed change for 'priority foods' is  that the country of origin statement will be 
placed in a box, so it can be found by consumers more easily. Informed by consumer G/TBT/N/AUS/100 
 
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  research, this requirement would apply to foods for which consumers most highly value 
origin information. These foods (referred to as 'priority foods') will be defined by excluding the following food categories: seasonings; conf ectionery; biscuits and snack foods; bottled 
water; soft drinks and sports drinks; and alcoholic beverages. 
Additionally, all food, domestic and imported, would be subject to new rules that clarify 
when 'made in' and 'packed in' statements can be used. 
Foods that are currently exempt from country of origin labelling requirements—for 
example, food (including seafood) offered for immediate consumption in restaurants, canteens, hospitals etc—will continue to be exempt. 
The proposed changes are subject to agreement by the Australian government and state 
and territory governments. 
To assist trading partners and importers the proposals include the following 
considerations: 
 a transition period commencing mid-2016 prior to entry into force (to be determined 
through consultation). 
 development of free guidance materials for trading partners to help them comply with 
the new requirements. 
 access to a telephone hotline and a free dedicated enquiry email address will be 
available in the Australian Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. 
Information about the proposed changes and the consultation documents can be found in 
the consultation package available on the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science website: https://consult.industry.gov.au/cool-taskforce/cool  
The package contains several important documents that trading partners are encouraged 
to read carefully. There is a Regulation Impact Statement which examines issues including 
the advantages and disadvantages of the prop osed reforms and the potential cost impost 
on consumers, businesses and government. The Information Standard outlines the 
proposed new labelling rules. The discussion papers outline proposed changes to 
legislation. 
Australia welcomes feedback from trading partners on the proposed changes to Australia's 
country of origin labelling framework. 
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable: Consumer information 
8. Relevant documents: As per section 5 above 
9. Proposed date of adoption: Proposed to commence mid-2016, with a transition period to 
be determined through consultation 
Proposed date of entry into force: Proposed to commence mid-2016, with a transition 
period to be determined through consultation   
10. Final date for comments: 60 days from date of notification 
11. Texts available from: Nati onal enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:  
The Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science 
Portfolio Strategic Policy Division 
Telephone: +61 2 6276 1085 Facsimile: +61 2 6213 7615 
E-mail: originlabelling@industry.gov.au   
Website: https://consult.industry.gov.au/cool-taskforce/cool