26 August 2024
Purpose
This Industry Advice Notice (IAN) is to advise industry that consultation on Export Assurance Reform on options to reform export assurance for goods currently not prescribed is closing on 6 September 2024.
Summary of changes and key points
- The department is closing consultation on options for the reform of the regulatory arrangements for non-prescribed goods on 6 September.
Background
The Australian Government is working to modernise and improve its export assurance framework. This will address three key issues affecting the export of non-prescribed goods. These issues have been validated through consultations with industry and include:
- Importing countries require more assurances – Australian exporters operate within a landscape of ever-changing importing country requirements, which are increasing in number and complexity. For certain NPGs, importing countries now expect a higher level of government oversight than our export legislation requires.
- Cost recovery is not appropriately attributed to where the costs originate – The current legislative framework creates a single charge point with a certificate. It does not reflect the time and cost to the department of undertaking administrative activities and providing services to assure trading partners. This single charge point also imposes the full cost of the assurance system onto the applicant for a certificate, rather than charging at points throughout the supply chain for services provided.
- Unsustainable administrative processes – The process used for exporting NPG products has become complicated and unsustainable alongside the growth of NPG industries. Reform is needed to put a new system in place that can handle the size of NPG industries and the importing country requirements now and in the future.
The department has consulted with industry on issues affecting the export of non-prescribed goods in March-May 2023, and on options to solve the problem in April 2024.
As part of the consultation process, the department has formed an Industry Reform Committee to include representation from major industries who will contribute to the design of the reform.
Public consultations will close on 6 September 2024. For more information and full details visit the department’s website.
Contact information
Please email the Export Assurance Reform team if you have any questions.
Joffrid Mackett
Assistant Secretary
Residues and Food Branch
Exports and Veterinary Services Division