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Amendments to FSANZ Application Handbook

All applications to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code are required to include certain minimum information as detailed in the FSANZ Act and in any guidelines issued by FSANZ. These guidelines have been consolidated into the FSANZ Application Handbook, which also contains information on assessment processes, cost recovery and confidentiality.  FSANZ is able to refuse to accept an application on the basis that it does not meet the information requirements set out in the Handbook.

FSANZ recently held a round of public consultation on a number of proposed amendments to the Handbook. The amendments affect both Part 3 (Mandatory requirements) and Parts 1 and 2 (information only) of the Handbook:

Part 3

• correction of typographical errors
• reduction in duplication of text
• clarification of the meaning of the text to further assist applicants in understanding what information is required
• clarification of information and data requirements related to the food additives, processing aids, natural toxicants and contaminants and novel foods guidelines. These amendments have been identified as a result of a recent review of information requirements which were contained in guidance documents and which should more appropriately be included in the Handbook in order to make them a legal requirement. 

Parts 1 and 2

Most of the amendments reflect the amendments to the FSANZ Regulations arising from the 2009 review of FSANZ’s cost recovery arrangements

• clarification of the purpose of the guidance documents for potential applicants
• correction of typographical errors
• updates to web addresses.
• addition of text to ensure that potential applicants consider implementation issues as part of their Application and discuss these with relevant food enforcement agencies before making an application. This may also assist in minimising the potential for delays based on implementation issues. 

The Explanatory Statement which includes a summary of the submissions received and how they were addressed, is available HERE.

The updated version of the Handbook (as at 1 July 2010) is available HERE.  The requirements in this new version will apply for all applications received by FSANZ from 1 July 2010 onwards.  Applications lodged with FSANZ prior to this date will need to meet the requirements in the August 2009 version of the Handbook.