20 March 2020
[118-20]
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).
For information about progress on all current applications and proposals, including anticipated consultation opportunities, see the FSANZ Food Standards Development Work Plan.
Other matters
Call for requests: 2020 Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) harmonisation requests [Australia only]
FSANZ considers changes to MRLs in the Code to harmonise with MRLs established either by codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) or nationally by a regulatory authority in a recognised jurisdiction where the food commodity is produced. These changes are considered through a FSANZ MRL harmonisation proposal, which is usually undertaken annually.
The call for MRL harmonisation requests is now open for 2020 for all stakeholders and interested persons.
Commencing this year, FSANZ will be considering whether MRLs adopted by codex Alimentarius Commission at the preceding meeting (CAC, 2019) should be automatically considered for inclusion in the MRL harmonisation proposal. This means stakeholders would not be required to submit a harmonisation request for a codex MRL(s) adopted in 2019. Please note, requests for harmonisation with codex MRLs that were adopted by the CAC prior to 2019 would still need to be submitted.
Guidance material to assist with the preparation of MRL harmonisation requests is available on the FSANZ website and through the Guide for submitting MRL harmonisation requests (3rd edition, April 2018).
Requests must be lodged with FSANZ by 6pm (Canberra time) Friday 15 May 2020.
Completed harmonisation requests or queries can be sent to the MRL Team at MRL.Contact@foodstandards.gov.au. FSANZ will acknowledge all requests received in writing within 10 business days. Please contact us if you do receive an acknowledgement.
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 is available from our maximum residue limits page.
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 amendments to Schedule 20 on the Federal Register of Legislation. For further information go to the Register.
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. Applications will be published when we publicly notify FSANZ's decision after an Administrative Assessment has been completed and the application has been accepted. Submissions will be published as soon as possible after the end of the public comment period. Where large numbers of documents are involved, FSANZ will make these available on CD, rather than on the website.
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.
To make a submission or ask about submissions email submissions@foodstandards.gov.au.
Visit our contact us page if you have general questions about our work.
Food Regulation Secretariat
In accordance with the Food Regulation Agreement, the Australian Government Department of Health is responsible for providing secretariat services to the Legislative Governance Forum on Food Regulation, the Food Regulation Standing Committee and the Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation.
The Food Regulation Secretariat sends information updates to stakeholders on a regular basis. If you would like to receive these updates (this is separate and in addition to updates from FSANZ), register your details via the Food Regulation website.
Alternatively, the Food Regulation Secretariat can be contacted on:
Phone: +61 2 6289 5128
Fax: +61 2 6289 5100
Postal Address:
Food Regulation Secretariat
MDP 802, GPO Box 9848
CANBERRA ACT 2601