Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is inviting feedback to help inform consideration of an annual common commencement date for future FSANZ-initiated food labelling changes.
An annual common commencement date could provide greater planning certainty for food businesses by allowing labelling changes to be implemented at the same time each year, reducing label redesign costs and minimising operational disruption.
If adopted, FSANZ would continue to assess public health and safety considerations on a case-by-case basis and would retain the flexibility to implement changes outside the annual commencement date where appropriate.
Any annual common commencement date would apply only to future FSANZ-initiated labelling changes. It would not affect implementation timeframes for decisions that have already been made, or changes required by other government agencies with responsibility for food labelling.
FSANZ is seeking views on the potential benefits and risks of this approach, including the preferred commencement date and practical implementation considerations.
To have your say, visit the FSANZ Consultation Hub. Submissions close at 11.59pm (AEST) 18 August 2026.
What happens to my feedback?
FSANZ will consider all feedback received through this submission process before deciding whether to adopt an annual common commencement date.
More information
- How to make a submission
- Read the call for information document: Call for information: Common commencement date for labelling changes
- Labelling
Media contact
- 0401 714 265 (Australia)
- media@foodstandards.gov.au