ACCC tightening country of origin labels

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is advising businesses to check their country of origin labels to ensure they comply with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

“Businesses should review any claims on their product labelling or advertising which suggests that the product was ‘made in’ a particular country,” ACCC Deputy Chair Dr Michael Schaper said.

Any imported ingredients or components must undergo a fundamental change in nature, identity or essential character to be able to safely claim that a product was made in a particular country. Minor processing that only changes the form or appearance of imported goods will no longer be sufficient to justify a ‘made in’ statement.

Failure to label products correctly may expose a business to penalties of up to $1.1 million. In addition to the general ACL, businesses involved in the retail supply of food will also be bound by the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard from 1 July 2018.

By July 2018, labels on most food products that are made in Australia will have to clearly show the percentage of Australian-grown or -produced ingredients.