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 10 years, NABERS customers have saved an average of 30-40% on their energy.
To support Australia’s transition to a net-zero built environment, NABERS is expanding its program to service the retail sector (this includes simple retail, big box, department stores, service shopfronts, and active appliance stores).
NABERS ratings for retail stores will help accurately measure, understand, and communicate the site’s energy and water performance while identifying areas for cost savings and future improvements.
To build the rating tool, NABERS collects operational data from retail stores, diverse in type, size, climate zone, operational hours, and owner/tenant sites to create a benchmark for the sector.
To find out more, contact: Suruchi Pathak (Expansion Lead) at (02) 82751542 or nabers@environment.nsw.gov.au
National Packaging Targets
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.
The Sustainable Packaging Guidelines document includes the National Packaging Targets information and advice on packaging. We highly recommend referring to this document when sourcing or preparing any new packaging formats.
The National Packaging Targets comprise four targets, including:
- 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging. The Recycled Content Guide can be found here.
- 50% of average recycled content include in packaging. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section on APCO’s website for clarification on the average recycled content measurements.
- 70% of plastic is recycled or composted. We recommend the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) program to assess your packaging and provide advice to your customers on where to place the packaging.
- The phase-out of problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic packaging. The action plan provides more information on plastic packaging.
You can contact the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) directly. APCO members are provided assistance and resources to navigate packaging and it is worth noting that under the NEPM Act, there may be requirements for you to report to State and Territory Governments or APCO on your packaging formats. Please see the attached link to understand if you may have any requirements.
The best contact for APCO is apco@apco.org.au and for Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) inquiries, the best email address is arl@apco.org.au
Single-use plastics
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 across all jurisdictions? Join us for our monthly online session. Recommended for national/international businesses. First Friday of every month. Register here >
Register here
Australasian Recycling Label (ARL)
The Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) is an easy-to-understand labelling system for consumers and is placed on packaging. The logos inform consumers on where to place the contents of the packaging. Nearly 250,000 products have the ARL on pack in Australia. This program is supported by the Federal Government and won the United Nations best practice award for consumer education programs.
Businesses will need to join the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and undertake a packaging assessment. The PREP tool image shows you what factors are used to assess if packaging needs to be conditionally recycled, recycled or placed in the bin.
This year, a new packaging platform – the ARL Marketplace – will be launched: arlmarketplace.org.au
The purpose of the ARL Marketplace is to provide a simple sourcing solution that connects businesses with packaging formats that are ready to label with the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL).
We are running free weekly info sessions to help small and medium businesses to get the ARL on their packaging to help consumers recycle better. The sessions provide a brief overview of the ARL program, how the ARL benefits businesses and consumers, discuss the process, barriers, and address any questions they may have.
Register here
Retail Crime
In South Australia, the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 protects retail workers. It is an offence to attack retail workers and the punishment is the same as assaulting a police officer or emergency worker. In New South Wales, similar laws will be enacted shortly through the introduction of the Assault on Retail Workers Bill 2023.
The National Retail Association are working with the retail and industry sector, police and justice, and union representatives to push for these laws across State and Territories. We will keep you up to date as this progresses.
We urge retailers to increase the reporting of these incidents to police across the country, to better protect retail workers.
If you would like to share any insights or your experience, please reach out to us at policy@nationalretail.org.au