(March 2020)
The Food Standards Code can be changed through an application or a proposal. Proposals are prepared by FSANZ.
Anyone can apply to change the Code. However, before you make an application you should determine whether the food product you want to supply complies with existing requirements.
You can contact us for pre-application
assistance before submitting an application. Read more about pre-application assistance.
Applications must meet the requirements in Part 3 of the Application Handbook. For application or proposal enquiries email standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au.
Maximum residue limit (MRL) variations, MRL harmonisation requests and enquiries should be sent to MRL.Contact@foodstandards.gov.au.
Publication of applications
All applications and submissions are published on our website, where possible. Supporting documents for applications will be released with the first assessment report. Large documents may be unavailable due to file size restrictions. If the information isn’t accessible by you online you can request a CD by emailing standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au
Fees
We don’t charge a fee for assessing an application unless:
we determine that an applicant has an exclusive capturable commercial benefit (ECCB) or
an applicant wants work to start on the assessment immediately, rather than according to the anticipated timeframes established as part of the Administrative Assessment.
See Part 2 of the Application Handbook for further information.
Consultation
FSANZ consults publicly on all applications and proposals to change the Code and welcomes feedback from the community. The scope of consultation varies depending on the extent of changes being proposed and the effects of those changes on different sectors of the community.
Our processes are open, accountable and consultative. Comments are invited to obtain stakeholder feedback on the effects of any regulatory options. Issues raised in public submissions are evaluated and addressed in our assessment reports.
We base our decisions on the best available scientific evidence and are committed to ensuring sufficient evidence is collected, including from outside experts if necessary. In some situations the best available scientific evidence is irrefutable. In others, there might be conflicting scientific views, a lack of evidence or some uncertainty in the science. Where the evidence is in dispute, we will ensure that we set out the reasons for our decisions.
You can read more about the risk analysis process in Risk Analysis in Food Regulation
Statutory timeframes
We are required under our legislation to finalise applications within stipulated periods of time, depending on the type of procedure. Part 2 of the Application Handbook has more information about the different types of procedures and time limits.
More information
