The states have announced plans to expand their container deposit schemes (CDS) to broaden the range of beverage containers eligible for refund with South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas acknowledging it’s time to take the next step and show the dedication to making sure that they are having a positive environmental impact when they choose to recycle, which is most people, he acknowledged.

The changes are expected to align with the continued positive national efforts, improving consistency across states and providing greater clarity for producers, retailers, and recyclers. This expansion will likely cover additional packaging formats currently outside the 10c refund scope, further supporting recycling rates and reducing litter.

For businesses, this means upcoming adjustments to packaging compliance, labelling, and reporting obligations. Companies operating nationally will particularly benefit from the move towards greater uniformity, but should prepare early for potential changes to product registration, refund marking, and supply chain processes.

We’ll continue monitoring the regulatory details as they develop. If your business needs support with packaging compliance, container deposit registrations, or labelling updates, our team can help you stay compliant and ready for 2027.

This update provides an essential tool for understanding the nutritional profile of foods consumed in Australia today.

AUSNUT (Australian Food, Supplement and Nutrient Database) is a national database that contains detailed information on the nutrient content of thousands of Australian foods, beverages, and dietary supplements. It includes values for macronutrients, micronutrients, and other dietary components.

What’s New?

• Updated food composition data that reflects the current Australian food supply.
• Inclusion of both commonly consumed foods and newer products that reflect changes in the marketplace.
• Expanded detail to support food regulation, labelling, and compliance work.

Our team specialises in helping businesses navigate and apply resources like AUSNUT to support compliance, labelling accuracy, and product development. For businesses working in food regulation, we can support you to use the resource to:

• Support labelling compliance of nutrient declarations
• Benchmark your product’s nutrient profile against similar foods.
• Providing evidence for claims or compliance checks

Whether you need assistance in interpreting the data for nutrition information panels, validating product claims, or aligning with FSANZ requirements, we provide the expertise to ensure your products meet regulatory standards while staying competitive in the market.

The review found that many labels are covered with claims, referring to terms such as “natural,” “no added sugar,” or “supports growth and development,” which may not be fully supported by product formulation or permitted under the Food Standards Code. New research has shown that in the Australian and New Zealand market, there is a need for a reflection of the true nature of the products of whole fruit and vegetables.  

The findings point to a widening gap between marketing practices and regulatory requirements. In particular, nutrient content and health claims are tightly regulated in Australia, and companies making unsupported or misleading statements risk breaching the Australian Consumer Law, as well as standards enforced by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

For businesses in the infant food sector, this research serves as a timely reminder to carefully review labelling, marketing, and promotional materials to ensure all claims are evidence-based and compliant. Regulatory scrutiny in this space is expected to increase, and proactive compliance measures can help avoid reputational and legal risks.

If you need assistance with claim validation, label reviews, or compliance advice for infant food and broader packaged products, our team can help you navigate the rules with confidence

The energy statement will be mandated and include the below in the prescribed formatted table:

Previously, there was ambiguity in the Code regarding whether claims about sugar were permitted on alcoholic beverages. Standard 1.2.7 will be updated to clarify that nutrition content claims about sugar are permitted on alcoholic beverages, with claims about carbohydrates also allowed. Claims about specific sugars, such as fructose, and other components of carbohydrates are not permitted.

Standard Amendment:

Reports have shown that Australia’s average container return rate is around 68%, much lower than that of European countries, of 90%.

The CDS, which rewards consumers for returning used drink containers, has delivered results in reducing litter and increasing recycling rates since its introduction. However, many advocates believe that a 10c refund is no longer enough to incentivise real behaviour change. Industry leaders and groups have discussed that a higher refund value could increase recycling rates, reduce landfill, and drive real change in packaging sustainability.

Several state governments are reportedly reviewing the proposal, while the federal government has signalled support for stronger circular economy policies. Business groups and packaging suppliers are watching closely, aware that regulatory changes could demand packaging adaptation.

At MSAC, we ensure that packaging is compliant with Australia’s CDS and packaging regulations. Whether you’re a beverage brand or a packaging company, discuss with us today about the CDS refund for support.

The scheme will be run by Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia (SPSA) and aims to drive an increase in the collection and recycling of soft plastic packaging. Members of the scheme so far include Coles, Woolworths and ALDI, as well as food brands. 

This move marks an important step towards rebuilding consumer trust and industry confidence after the collapse of previous programs.

The focus of the scheme will be on building infrastructures, expanding in-store and kerbside collection of soft plastics for recycling, and diverting them from landfill.

The ACCC considers that the public environmental benefits outweigh any potential detriment to competition. It plans to grant authorisation for eight years and has included conditions, including reporting to ensure transparency.

We specialise in helping Australian food and beverage businesses navigate packaging compliance and meet the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) and Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) requirements. 

Contact us today to ensure your packaging is compliant and ready for upcoming implementations.

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is reforming packaging regulations through the implementation of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme. The initiative aims to address economic gaps in recycling and support Australia’s transition to a circular economy. 

A national consultation with stakeholders in early 2025 revealed the need for greater regulatory clarity, stronger governance, and industry-specific considerations. In response, APCO will continue using the current turnover-based charging system while further developing the EPR model. 

Feedback from the consultation highlighted the need for greater regulatory clarity, government efforts, and industry-specific considerations. The organisation emphasised its commitment to delivering an EPR model that works effectively and the necessity for additional time to ensure its success.  

The plan focuses on interventions to support recycling, aiming to deliver outcomes that are in addition to existing systems, such as kerbside recycling. This approach ensures that the intervention costs by APCO members are lower compared to brand owners in other countries, making it a more feasible model for Australia.  

With strong government backing and ongoing consultation, the EPR reform remains a key part of Australia’s broader strategy to transform packaging use and recycling. This is to ensure the final model is robust, practical, and aligned with both industry needs and environmental goals. But considering the EPR is already in application in other markets such as parts of the EU, we expect this to only be a delay, not a cancellation. 

With the EPR implementation still looming and the existing need to regularly complete your APCO reporting, how are you tracking and reporting your data? Are you still relying on multiple spreadsheets and never-ending manual reporting? At MSAC, we have created Addis®, an all-in-one solution to solve all your packaging challenges that has already been adopted by major industry players.  

Capture all your data in one safe place, automatically manage your claims and certificates, enable automatic volumetric calculation with all associated dashboards and reports, enable easy APCO reporting and track your progress towards your sustainability targets. Work with your suppliers and manage your data or let us handle all of it with our team of specialised packaging technologists. 

Get in touch with us to organise a demo or learn more: regulatory@msacsolutions.com 

Conducted in collaboration with End Food Waste Australia, the mixed-methods study found that clear, concise, and visually distinct date labels, combined with effective storage guidance, play a crucial role in reducing food waste. 

The research highlights significant gaps in consumer understanding of “Use By” and “Best Before” labels, particularly about food safety and consumer reliance on sensory cues. To address this, the study explored a range of design interventions, including the use of icons, traffic light coding, sensory testing prompts, text-based cues, QR codes, and freezing advice. 

Each labelling solution was evaluated for its barriers, implications, and the perspectives of key stakeholders. Consumers prioritised ease of use and waste reduction, while industry representatives focused on safety, regulatory compliance, and logistics. 

Based on the findings, the study recommends implementing: 

• Visual and colour-coded cues 

• Easy-to-interpret labelling formats 

• Consistent labelling standards across the industry 

• Flexible solutions tailored to different food categories 

In 2024, California passed a Bill (AB-660) to restrict the durability statements used on products to cut food waste in the state. This move standardised the labelling with only 2 options: “Best if used by” and “use by” to set clear standards for consumers. The movement towards clearer food labelling is expected to save 70,000 tonnes of food annually.  

To help improve food safety and reduce household food waste, it is being widely encouraged for manufacturers to assess their use-by and best-before dating, enhance their packaging and evaluate storage design strategies.  Evaluating and improving storage design strategies both in labelling and packaging, these combined efforts not only help reduce waste but also ensure food safety remains a top priority. 

The ACCC alleges that the companies engaged in greenwashing by falsely marketing their products with claims of “ocean plastic recycled” and “reef-friendly.” Despite these claims, the products reportedly are making incorrect claims with no substantial evidence.  

A step in the ACCC’s broader crackdown on misleading environmental claims in consumer products, the ACCC states that similar greenwashing claims could mislead environmentally conscious consumers and may lead to damage to marine ecosystems. 

The ACCC is pursuing the matters through the Federal Court, arguing the brands breached Australian Consumer Law by giving a false impression of environmental safety. The case may set a precedent for how environmental labels are regulated and enforced across a range of industries. 

If you’re unsure whether your claims meet current standards or simply want expert guidance, contact us today to discuss on regulatory@msacsolutions.com 

We offer tailored solutions, certification management software, and regulatory services to help you stay compliant, save time, and protect your business from costly fines due to unsubstantiated or misleading claims.