Major Procedure

Assessment under the Major Procedure applies to:

(a)         an application for the development of a new food regulatory measure; and

(b)         an application for the variation of a food regulatory measure that:

(i)       involves such scientific or technical complexity that it is necessary to adopt this procedure in considering it; or

(ii)       involves such a significant change to the scope of the food regulatory measure that it is necessary to adopt this procedure in considering it.

An application for the development of, or a major variation to, a new food regulatory measure involving:

(a)     the development of a new Standard; or

(b)     a change to a labelling requirement affecting a wide range of foods; or

(c)     a change to a compositional requirement for a food affecting a wide range of foods; or

(d)     a change to a nutritive substance permissions affecting a wide range of foods; or

(e)     the granting a permission involving a pre-market safety assessment, with no similar previous assessments; or

(f)      any other matter of similar complexity.

This kind of application is likely to:

(a)     require the use of community meetings including public hearings; or

(b)     involve the development of a complete community communications strategy to address public concern; or

(c)     require the development and distribution of community education material; or

(d)     require representation at international forums; or

(e)     require extensive consultation with government agencies, industry, health professionals and consumer groups; or

(f)      require establishment of external working parties and advisory groups; or

(g)     require a comprehensive assessment of risk management requirements; or

(h)      involve any other matter of similar complexity.

A minimum of two rounds of public comment would be required and consultation might also require the establishment of external working parties or advisory groups to assist with the assessment.  

Key Procedural Steps

Step 1                   Acceptance of application

Step 2                   Notification to applicant & ‘Early Bird’ public notice

Step 3                  Assessment, notification to applicant and call for public submissions

Step 4                   Draft food regulatory measure developed

Step 5                   Notification to applicant and call for public submissions

Step 6                   Approval of draft food regulatory measure

Step 7                   Notification of approval of draft food regulatory measure to Ministerial Council

Step 8                   Gazettal following advice from Ministerial Council to not review the approval decision