State and federal ministers have agreed to adopt a recommendation by the NSW Government to develop a national information standard on egg labelling, NSW Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello announced today. The move was prompted by a CHOICE report that showed labelling requirements and free range egg standards differ widely between states and territories, causing confusion amongst consumers.
Mr Dominello welcomed the agreement to pursue an enforceable national definition for free-range eggs, reached during a meeting of consumer affairs ministers in Melbourne.
“I am pleased to announce that a consensus has been reached by the states and territories along with the Commonwealth to prepare a national standard on egg labelling,” Mr Dominello said.
“This is a significant win for consumers and producers and I thank my counterparts for demonstrating leadership on what has been a difficult issue.
“Growing uncertainty about the definition of free-range has meant many consumers have lost confidence in the existing regulation of egg labelling.
“The average Australian consumes 220 eggs a year, so when it comes to buying this staple product we want consumers to have confidence they are getting what they pay for. This new standard will also provide greater clarity for egg producers.”
John Coward from Egg Farmers of Australia welcomed the announcement, “We support a national approach to egg labelling to help ensure consumer confidence in the eggs they buy as well as clarity and certainty for farmers.”
Under the Australian Consumer Law, a national information standard is designed to ensure consumers can make informed decisions about what they are purchasing.
Other national information standards in place include ingredient labelling on cosmetics and toiletries and care labels for clothing and textiles.
Under the ACL, the maximum penalties for supplying goods and services that do not comply with information standards are $1.1 million for a body corporate and $220,000 for an individual.