Sustainability Update – 13 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.   Plastic bans across AU/NZ Summary table updated: See the latest update to our summary table of all single-use plastic regulations in Australia and New Zealand: https://www.nationalretail.org.au/policy-advocacy/action-on-single-use-plastics/ Need a quick update...

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ACT bans more single-use plastics by 1 July

The ACT Government has yesterday announced it is proceeding with a ban on more single-use plastic items by the...

The ACT Government has yesterday announced it is proceeding with a ban on more single-use plastic items by the end of the month. From 1 July this year, the following items will be banned in the ACT: plastic microbeads in rinse-off personal care, cosmetic and cleaning products, loose fill packaging...

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ACCC guidance for businesses on conducting a product safety recall

If a product is a risk to safety, or it does not comply with a mandatory standard or product...

If a product is a risk to safety, or it does not comply with a mandatory standard or product ban, your business may need to recall it. The ACCC has today published updated practical guidance and tools for businesses on when and how a product safety recall should occur. The guidance...

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Cost of organics regulation outweighs benefits (FED)

The Australian Government has decided not to impose further regulations on the organics industry after two separate cost-benefit analyses...

The Australian Government has decided not to impose further regulations on the organics industry after two separate cost-benefit analyses (CBA) found the costs would outweigh the benefits. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry Murray Watt said that he had examined the proposed domestic regulatory framework and considered a range of...

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Have your say: NT single-use plastics ban

The Northern Territory Government has released its single-use plastics discussion paper and is calling for industry input and submissions. The...

The Northern Territory Government has released its single-use plastics discussion paper and is calling for industry input and submissions. The following items are being considered for phase-out: Plastic bags (heavy weight) Plastic straws Plastic utensils and stirrers Plastic bowls and plates Expanded polystyrene (EPS) consumer food containers EPS consumer goods...

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2023 Easter and Anzac Day and Non-Exempt Trading Hour Restrictions

The National Retail Association (NRA) has updated our Easter and Anzac Day Public holidays and Non-Exempt Trading Hour Restrictions...

The National Retail Association (NRA) has updated our Easter and Anzac Day Public holidays and Non-Exempt Trading Hour Restrictions factsheet. Our factsheet details a complete summary for each State and Territory, including changes that have recently been made in Western Australia and South Australia and whether you are entitled to...

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Stay up to date with the latest sustainability movements

The National Retail Association (NRA) Policy team actively work across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their...

The National Retail Association (NRA) Policy team actively work across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their supply chains. 1. Single-Use Plastics Summary table: See the latest update to our summary table of all single-use plastic regulations in Australia and New Zealand: https://www.nationalretail.org.au/policy-advocacy/action-on-single use-plastics/    2. Plastic bans across AU/NZ: Need...

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WA passes more plastic bans

On Friday 24 February, the WA Government passed regulations to phase-out more single-use plastic items, including coffee cups and...

On Friday 24 February, the WA Government passed regulations to phase-out more single-use plastic items, including coffee cups and containers, over the next 3 years. The National Retail Association delivered a comprehensive engagement program in WA in 2022 to assist with the Stage 1 ban, visiting over 4300 retailers, providing...

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UK greenwashing guidance and learnings for Australian retailers

Consumers are placing greater importance on the social and environmental credentials of their purchases. The ACCC has heard growing...

Consumers are placing greater importance on the social and environmental credentials of their purchases. The ACCC has heard growing concerns that some businesses are falsely promoting environmental or green credentials to capitalise on these consumer preferences – termed ‘greenwashing.’ Consumers are often unable to determine the accuracy of a product’s...

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A new way of packaging that connects businesses together

The National Retail Association, Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, Australian Institute of Packaging, and the Australian food and Grocery Council...

The National Retail Association, Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, Australian Institute of Packaging, and the Australian food and Grocery Council are working in collaboration on the Federal Government's Australasian Recycling Label (ARL). In May 2023, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) will be launching a new packaging platform on the ARL Marketplace:...

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New mandatory safety standard for non-refillable helium cylinders – what you need to know

The Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services the Hon. Stephen Jones MP has introduced a new mandatory safety...

The Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services the Hon. Stephen Jones MP has introduced a new mandatory safety standard for non-refillable helium cylinders. The new safety standard seeks to reduce harm from deliberate misuse. The Consumer Goods (Non-refillable Helium Cylinders) Safety Standard comes into effect on 16 April 2023. What the industry needs...

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Victorian retailers prepare with 2 weeks until plastics ban

The Victorian Government is implementing a single-use plastic ban across Victoria on February 1. Single-use plastic drinking straws and stirrers,...

The Victorian Government is implementing a single-use plastic ban across Victoria on February 1. Single-use plastic drinking straws and stirrers, single-use plastic cutlery, single-use plastic plates, single-use plastic cotton buds and food service items and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene will be banned. The National Retail Association were engaged to...

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Are you a packaging or labelling business?

ARE YOU A PACKAGING OR LABELLING BUSINESS? This opportunity might be for you! Calling all packaging and labelling manufacturers, distributors...

ARE YOU A PACKAGING OR LABELLING BUSINESS? This opportunity might be for you! Calling all packaging and labelling manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. In May 2023, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) will be launching a new packaging platform on the ARL Marketplace. Its purpose is to provide a simple sourcing solution...

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NRA calls for more collaboration to improve modern slavery outcomes

Businesses operating in Australia with a turnover of $100 million or more are required under the Modern Slavery Act...

Businesses operating in Australia with a turnover of $100 million or more are required under the Modern Slavery Act to tackle modern slavery in their operations and supply chain, submitting an annual statement to outline their progress. Recently the Federal Government called for submissions as part of a review of...

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Queenslanders encouraged to have say on spirit, wine bottle refunds

Queenslanders are being asked to serve up their views on expanding the Palaszczuk Government’s popular Containers for Change program...

Queenslanders are being asked to serve up their views on expanding the Palaszczuk Government’s popular Containers for Change program to include glass wine and spirit bottles. An online survey and discussion paper have been launched asking Queenslanders and industry to have their say on growing the recycling scheme which puts...

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Applications for the 2023 PIDA Awards are now open!

Entries are now open for the 2023 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards which are coordinated by the...

Entries are now open for the 2023 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards which are coordinated by the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP). The PIDA Awards are designed to recognise companies and individuals across 15 categories who are making a significant difference in their field in Australia and...

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