NABERS Energy

NABERS is a national government program that rates the operational performance of buildings on a 6-star rating scale. It provides...

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...

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ACCC guidance for businesses on conducting a product safety recall

If a product is a risk to safety, or it does not comply with a mandatory standard or product...

If a product is a risk to safety, or it does not comply with a mandatory standard or product ban, your business may need to recall it. The ACCC has today published updated practical guidance and tools for businesses on when and how a product safety recall should occur. The guidance...

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Cost of organics regulation outweighs benefits (FED)

The Australian Government has decided not to impose further regulations on the organics industry after two separate cost-benefit analyses...

The Australian Government has decided not to impose further regulations on the organics industry after two separate cost-benefit analyses (CBA) found the costs would outweigh the benefits. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry Murray Watt said that he had examined the proposed domestic regulatory framework and considered a range of...

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Have your say: NT single-use plastics ban

The Northern Territory Government has released its single-use plastics discussion paper and is calling for industry input and submissions. The...

The Northern Territory Government has released its single-use plastics discussion paper and is calling for industry input and submissions. The following items are being considered for phase-out: Plastic bags (heavy weight) Plastic straws Plastic utensils and stirrers Plastic bowls and plates Expanded polystyrene (EPS) consumer food containers EPS consumer goods...

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Stay up to date with the latest sustainability movements

The National Retail Association (NRA) Policy team actively work across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their...

The National Retail Association (NRA) Policy team actively work across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their supply chains. 1. Single-Use Plastics Summary table: 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/    2. Plastic bans across AU/NZ: Need...

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WA passes more plastic bans

On Friday 24 February, the WA Government passed regulations to phase-out more single-use plastic items, including coffee cups and...

On Friday 24 February, the WA Government passed regulations to phase-out more single-use plastic items, including coffee cups and containers, over the next 3 years. The National Retail Association delivered a comprehensive engagement program in WA in 2022 to assist with the Stage 1 ban, visiting over 4300 retailers, providing...

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UK greenwashing guidance and learnings for Australian retailers

Consumers are placing greater importance on the social and environmental credentials of their purchases. The ACCC has heard growing...

Consumers are placing greater importance on the social and environmental credentials of their purchases. The ACCC has heard growing concerns that some businesses are falsely promoting environmental or green credentials to capitalise on these consumer preferences – termed ‘greenwashing.’ Consumers are often unable to determine the accuracy of a product’s...

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A new way of packaging that connects businesses together

The National Retail Association, Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, Australian Institute of Packaging, and the Australian food and Grocery Council...

The National Retail Association, Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, Australian Institute of Packaging, and the Australian food and Grocery Council are working in collaboration on the Federal Government's Australasian Recycling Label (ARL). In May 2023, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) will be launching a new packaging platform on the ARL Marketplace:...

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Victorian retailers prepare with 2 weeks until plastics ban

The Victorian Government is implementing a single-use plastic ban across Victoria on February 1. Single-use plastic drinking straws and stirrers,...

The Victorian Government is implementing a single-use plastic ban across Victoria on February 1. Single-use plastic drinking straws and stirrers, single-use plastic cutlery, single-use plastic plates, single-use plastic cotton buds and food service items and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene will be banned. The National Retail Association were engaged to...

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Are you a packaging or labelling business?

ARE YOU A PACKAGING OR LABELLING BUSINESS? This opportunity might be for you! Calling all packaging and labelling manufacturers, distributors...

ARE YOU A PACKAGING OR LABELLING BUSINESS? This opportunity might be for you! Calling all packaging and labelling manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. In May 2023, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) will be launching a new packaging platform on the ARL Marketplace. Its purpose is to provide a simple sourcing solution...

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Applications for the 2023 PIDA Awards are now open!

Entries are now open for the 2023 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards which are coordinated by the...

Entries are now open for the 2023 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards which are coordinated by the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP). The PIDA Awards are designed to recognise companies and individuals across 15 categories who are making a significant difference in their field in Australia and...

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Retailers welcome state review of container refund scheme

The National Retail Association has welcomed the Queensland Government’s review of the Containers for Change initiative to increase the...

The National Retail Association has welcomed the Queensland Government’s review of the Containers for Change initiative to increase the types of containers that are eligible for the successful 10-cent refund scheme. NRA Director of Policy David Stout said expanding the scope to include wine and spirit bottles will make recycling...

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Thousands of businesses phase-out single-use plastics

The National Retail Association today applauds New South Wales businesses for taking the single-use plastic ban in their stride. From...

The National Retail Association today applauds New South Wales businesses for taking the single-use plastic ban in their stride. From 1 November, the NSW Government is banning single-use items including: Plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, unlidded bowls, and cotton buds Food ware and cups made from expanded polystyrene Rinse-off personal...

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Look out for counterfeit cash this Christmas season

Retailers have reported a recent rise in the frequency and quality of counterfeit banknotes. Overall, counterfeiting is at its lowest...

Retailers have reported a recent rise in the frequency and quality of counterfeit banknotes. Overall, counterfeiting is at its lowest level in a decade. This decline is due to fewer transactions being made with cash, COVID-19 lockdowns, the rollout of a new banknote series with upgraded security features, and ongoing...

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Free support for Victorian retailers phasing out single-use plastics

Regional business owners in Victoria will have access to free, in-person advice about the Victorian Government’s single-use plastics ban,...

Regional business owners in Victoria will have access to free, in-person advice about the Victorian Government’s single-use plastics ban, when experts from the National Retail Association visit over 3000 retailers between October and December. Problematic single-use plastics will be banned from sale or supply in Victoria from 1 February 2023. The ban...

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Tranche 1 of Aotearoa New Zealand Plastic Phase-Outs now in effect

Retailers operating in New Zealand should be aware that certain hard-to-recycle packaging and single-use plastic products are now banned. From...

Retailers operating in New Zealand should be aware that certain hard-to-recycle packaging and single-use plastic products are now banned. From 1 October 2022, it is illegal to provide, sell or manufacture the following plastic products in Aotearoa New Zealand: Single-use plastic drink stirrers (all plastic types) Definition: A single-use plastic drink stirrer is any...

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