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This Notification Circular includes notices that are required to be given to the public, submitters and appropriate government agencies, under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act).
Details on the gazettal notification from the notice below were published on 19 July 2023.
For information about progress on all current applications and proposals, including anticipated consultation opportunities, see the FSANZ Fod Standards Work Plan.
Amendment No. 220
Amendment No. 220 to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code was published by FSANZ on 19 July 2023 (FSC 160). It included amendments resulting from the following proposal
Further information is available on the FSANZ Gazette web page.
Call for Requests: 2023 Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) harmonisation [Australia only]
The call for requests for the 2023 MRL harmonisation proposal is now open.
FSANZ invites requests by 6pm (Canberra time) 22 September 2023.
Completed MRL harmonisation requests or inquiries can be sent to MRL.Contact@foodstandards.gov.au.
A FSANZ MRL Team member will acknowledge all requests received via email within 7 business days. Please contact us if you do not receive an acknowledgement.
MRL Guidance document and request template update
The FSANZ MRL harmonisation proposal provides the opportunity for stakeholders to request harmonisation of MRLs in Schedule 20, with established international standards. This includes MRLs adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) or by the authorised regulatory authority in the country where a food commodity is cultivated or grown.
Guidance material to assist with the preparation of MRL harmonisation requests is available on the FSANZ website, through the updated Guide to submitting requests for MRL harmonisation proposals (4th edition, June 2023). FSANZ requests that the MRL and associated information is provided in the updated harmonisation request template.
Changes to the guideline include new requirements for consideration of new agricultural and veterinary chemicals not currently listed in Schedule 20 that may have antimicrobial properties. This new requirement is part the Australian Governments approach to addressing antimicrobial resistance, as part of the global One Health initiative.
A reminder to stakeholders that in 2020, FSANZ began aligning with Codex MRLs adopted at the annual CAC meeting. Stakeholders are no longer required to submit harmonisation requests for a Codex MRL adopted since the 2019 CAC meeting. Requests for harmonisation with Codex MRLs that were adopted prior to 2019 will still need to be submitted.
Information Publication Scheme - Important information for applicants and submitters
Under the Information Publication Scheme, all applications to change the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, as well as submissions on applications and proposals, will be published on our website.
We will not publish any material provided in-confidence. Application documents will be published when we call for submissions. Where large numbers of documents are involved, FSANZ will make these available on request, rather than publishing on the website. Submissions are published as soon as possible after the end of the public comment period.
Amendment to Schedule 20 - Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) [Australia only]
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has notified FSANZ of applications or variations to the APVMA MRL Standard that the APVMA considers will likely result in variations to Schedule 20 if they are granted.
More information on these notifications can be obtained at Maximum residue limits - variations
Calls for public comment - Proposed variations to Schedule 20
The APVMA has called for public comment on a number of proposed variations to Schedule 20. Information can be found on the APVMA website.
Gazettal of amendments to Schedule 20
The APVMA has registered a number of amendments to Schedule 20 on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. For further information, go to the Federal Register.
Contact us
If you wish to be advised of developments with any of the matters listed above or require more information about anything in this circular, email standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au.
If you have general questions about our work you can also write to us at:
| The Information Officer | The Office Administrator |
| Food Standards Australia New Zealand | Food Standards Australia New Zealand |
| PO Box 5423 | PO Box 10559 |
| Kingston ACT 2604 | WELLINGTON 6140 |
| AUSTRALIA | NEW ZEALAND |
| Tel +61 2 6271 2241 | Tel +64 4 978 5630 |
| Email: information@foodstandards.gov.au | Email: information@foodstandards.gov.au |
Food Regulation Secretariat
In accordance with the Food Regulation Agreement, the Australian Government Department of Health is responsible for providing secretariat services to the Food Ministers' Meeting, the Food Regulation Standing Committee and the Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation.Visit the Food Regulation website or email the Food Regulation Secretariat for more information foodregulationsecretariat@health.gov.au