Changes to food labelling laws

Australian Made’s reminder about new country of origin food labelling laws

From July 1, 2016, the Australian Government incorporated the Australia Made Campaign Ltd’s (AMCL) Australian Made, Australian Grown (AMAG) kangaroo logo into a new country of origin label, which, on July 1, 2018, became mandatory for most Australian food products sold in Australia.

Businesses had two years (from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018) to comply with the new requirements. Any labels applied to food products after this date will need to comply with new country of origin labelling requirements.

Australian food products sold domestically are no longer able to use the AMAG certification trade mark as a standalone country of origin symbol.

Since July 1, 2016, Australian Made has not issued new licences for food products to use the logo as a country of origin certification trade mark in Australia. 

Australia Made continued to renew existing licences during the two-year transition period until businesses adopted the new labels.

It is important to note that the new labelling requirements are not mandated for exported food products. Businesses wishing to use the AMAG logo on exported food have the option of using the new labels or using the logo under a licence with Australia Made.

The Australian Government is funding the ACCC to manage compliance of the new country of origin labels for food products.

The Australian Made Campaign will continue to administer and promote the Australian Made, Australian Grown logo as a voluntary country of origin certification trade mark for all other types of products, exported food (where applicable), and for use as a marketing tool in a corporate capacity.

The process for obtaining a licence to use the logo from AMCL will remain the same.

More information

For more information on AMCL’s voluntary certification scheme for all products except food sold in Australia, visit www.australianmade.com.au/for-business.

For more information on the Australian Government’s new mandatory country-of-origin labels, visit www.industry.gov.au/cool, www.foodlabels.industry.gov.au. Businesses should also visit www.business.gov.au/foodlabels.

Download Food Labelling Brochure