New regulations for the export of organic products take effect from 3 am (AEDT) on 28 March 2021.

The Rules maintain the level of, and approach to, regulatory control and oversight in the Export Control (Organic Produce Certification) Orders and other existing regulations under the Export Control Act 1982. The Rules provide additional clarification to organic export requirements, while bringing consistency across export arrangements. Key changes include:

1. the ‘organic produce certificate’ becomes the ‘organic goods certificate’
2. organic export certification for organic cosmetic goods will not be required unless the certification is required by an importing country
3. ‘approved certifying organisations’ will become ‘approved certifying bodies’—this is a change in name only
4. the department’s policy documents governing the operations of approved certifying bodies will be updated to reflect the new legislation

Contact the Department of Agriculture through OrganicExports@awe.gov.au if you have any queries.

An information summary from the Department of Agriculture, titled Draft Organic Rules Consultation Presentation for Industry, was referred to during an information session held on 31 July 2020. The excellent summary provides background to the legislation changes, with specific reference to how they affect the organic industry.

The summary is available from our website library at link.

Visit the Department’s Improved Agricultural Export Legislation website, which includes the latest information on Australia’s new agricultural export legislation.

The new rules which give effect to the Export Control Act 2020 have now been provided by the Department for review by the industry.

Commodity rules

Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021
Export Control (Eggs and Egg Products) Rules 2021
Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021
Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) Rules 2021
Export Control (Milk and Milk Products) Rules 2021
Export Control (Miscellaneous) Rules 2021
Export Control (Organic Goods) Rules 2021
Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Rules 2021
Export Control (Poultry Meat and Poultry Meat Products) Rules 2021
Export Control (Rabbit and Ratite Meat and Rabbit and Ratite Meat Products) Rules 2021
Export Control (Wild Game Meat and Wild Game Meat Products) Rules 2021
Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) Rules 2021

Cost Recovery Framework

Export Charges (Imposition—General) Regulations 2021
Export Charges (Imposition—Customs) Regulations 2021
Export Control (Fees and Payments) Rules 2021

Contact the Department of Agriculture through exportlegislation@agriculture.gov.au if you have any queries or phone 1800 502 437.

Alternatively, contact secretary@organicindustries.com.au or phone 0448 439334.

Become a member of the independent peak body which represents the interests of all certified organic operators in government forums and industry initiatives.

There are two types of membership—Full Membership for certified organic operators and Associate Membership for others. Membership is only $10.

Foundation Memberships are also available for a limited time for only $250.

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