New single-use plastic bans introduced September 1 in QLD, SA, and WA

Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have implemented their latest rounds of plastic bans on September 1. Queensland, South Australia,...

Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have implemented their latest rounds of plastic bans on September 1. Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia will implement their latest rounds of plastic bans today, and the National Retail Association is encouraging retailers and their suppliers to check that they understand the new...

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The Scope of ESG

Most of us appreciate that ESG (Environmental Social Governance) covers a wide range of issues, but we’d be hard-pressed...

Most of us appreciate that ESG (Environmental Social Governance) covers a wide range of issues, but we’d be hard-pressed to provide details of how it all comes together, particularly in the context of formal government policy and regulatory interventions. Whilst Australia doesn’t have an agreed ESG framework there are...

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Official Container Deposit Scheme Regulations | Stage 2

The first CDS Amendment Regulations were made law by Governor-In-Council on 8 August 2023, and they have now been...

The first CDS Amendment Regulations were made law by Governor-In-Council on 8 August 2023, and they have now been published on the Legislation Vic Website found here. Here is a brief summary of the changes: Regulation 4 amends definitions: in the definition of "donation partner" wording has changed to better...

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National Packaging Targets with APCO

The 2025 National Packaging Targets apply to all packaging that is made, used, and sold in Australia and the...

The 2025 National Packaging Targets apply to all packaging that is made, used, and sold in Australia and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is charged by the Australian government to facilitate the delivery of the 2025 targets. Recently, APCO CEO, Chris Foley, and Packaging Technologist, Ian Hayes, joined our...

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Plastic bans – free info sessions

The National Retail Association’s Policy team actively works across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their supply...

The National Retail Association’s Policy team actively works across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their supply chains. We work directly with multiple governments to deliver state-wide education programs to assist businesses impacted by sustainability policy such as single-use plastic bans. To support businesses impacted by single-use plastic...

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The First Supplier Registration and Contracting System is now live.

  If you are a manufacturer, distributor, importer, contract bottler, or retailer supplying beverage containers into/within Victoria, you may be...

  If you are a manufacturer, distributor, importer, contract bottler, or retailer supplying beverage containers into/within Victoria, you may be considered a First Supplier. In Victoria, if you are a First Supplier according to the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 (VIC), you have a legal obligation to participate...

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Australian Fashion Council: Seamless progress update

Seamless, the National Product Stewardship Scheme, has a primary goal of revolutionising the clothing industry in Australia, encompassing the...

Seamless, the National Product Stewardship Scheme, has a primary goal of revolutionising the clothing industry in Australia, encompassing the entire process from production to usage and recycling, with the aim of achieving clothing circularity by 2030. On 20 July 2023, the inaugural meeting of the Seamless Transition Advisory Group (TAG)...

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New Check Locally logo for soft plastics

The Australasian Recycling Label's (ARL) are pleased to provide an update regarding the ARL's, newest Check Locally logo, including...

The Australasian Recycling Label's (ARL) are pleased to provide an update regarding the ARL's, newest Check Locally logo, including the steps brand owners need to take in order to be eligible for a new label. Following the collapse of REDcycle, brand owners are required to update any soft plastics labelling...

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Call to consult retailers on net-zero policy talks

The National Retail Association has welcomed new sector-specific climate plans announced by Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris...

The National Retail Association has welcomed new sector-specific climate plans announced by Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen yesterday but urged the Albanese Government to consult across the industry. The Minister announced the development of plans specific to electricity and energy, industry, the built environment, agriculture and land,...

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APCO Update, new Soft Plastics labelling option

In case you missed the June APCO Update Webinar. Please find a summary of key topics in the webinar...

In case you missed the June APCO Update Webinar. Please find a summary of key topics in the webinar below and a Soft Plastics FAQ. New Check Locally label provides advice to consumers The webinar highlighted the introduction of a new label for soft plastics under the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL)....

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National Retail Association brings an academic lens to retail crime

The National Retail Association has welcomed esteemed professor at the Griffith Criminology Institute, Professor Michael Townsley, as a Retail...

The National Retail Association has welcomed esteemed professor at the Griffith Criminology Institute, Professor Michael Townsley, as a Retail Crime Consultant. The National Retail Association continues to expand its offerings in the retail crime sphere with this appointment, bringing issues of youth crime, aggression, underreporting, and emerging crime trends to...

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National Retail Association calls for a ban on car seat head straps

The National Retail Association is calling for a ban on a relatively new child restraint aftermarket accessory – car...

The National Retail Association is calling for a ban on a relatively new child restraint aftermarket accessory – car seat head straps. We are convinced by expert assessment that the use of these products with young children can lead to serious lifelong injuries or death. Australian Standard 1754 for child restraint...

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Sustainability Update – 27 June 2023

The National Retail Association’s Policy team actively works across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their supply...

The National Retail Association’s Policy team actively works across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their supply chains. NABERS Energy NABERS is a national government program that rates the operational performance of buildings on a 6-star rating scale. It provides a simple, reliable, and comparable sustainability measurement. Over the last...

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Strong signals a strengthened Modern Slavery Act is on the way

Prepared by National Retail Association ESG Consultant, Dr Geoffrey Annison Of all the issues included in the scope of ESG...

Prepared by National Retail Association ESG Consultant, Dr Geoffrey Annison Of all the issues included in the scope of ESG (Environment, Social, Governance), modern slavery is without a doubt the most confronting for businesses. According to the 2022 International Labour Organization (ILO) Global Estimates of Modern Slavery report, 50 million persons...

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Retail workers and business owners deserve better protection from violence

The National Retail Association has expressed disappointment with the meagre sentence handed to the first person convicted under laws...

The National Retail Association has expressed disappointment with the meagre sentence handed to the first person convicted under laws supposedly designed to protect retail workers from violence. National Retail Association's Director – Policy, David Stout, said retail business owners and their employees had been watching the case closely, hoping to...

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ACCC Announces 2023-24 Product Safety Priorities

Every year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) identifies key areas to minimise and raise awareness of the...

Every year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) identifies key areas to minimise and raise awareness of the risks posed by unsafe consumer goods. Last week, ACCC announced the 2023-24 Product Safety Priorities  1. Young children’s product safety Compliance, enforcement, and education initiatives, focusing on consumer products, such as sleep aids,...

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