Aims
The aims of this activity are to:
- identify key areas that would most benefit from improved consistency of regulatory approaches across jurisdictions
- develop options to improve consistency in the identified areas.
Leads
On behalf of the Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC) the leads for this activity are the:
- New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries
- Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Authorisation
At their November 2019 meeting, the ministers agreed to reform the food regulation system.
At their December 2021 meeting, they agreed to key actions to progress reform efforts, including actions to:
- improve jurisdictional consistency
- deliver a clear purpose and objectives for the system to support strategic direction setting.
Status
The objectives of this activity have been achieved with the identification and implementation of a new system statement and regulator commitments. Together these documents provide a shared vision and common best-practice principles to guide enhanced jurisdictional consistency. These documents build on existing jurisdictional committees and networks that continue to promote information sharing and consistency, such as the FRSC, Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation (ISFR), and their working groups.
Completed work
A consultation on consistency of food regulatory approaches closed in December 2020. The consultation sought stakeholder advice on:
- areas of inconsistency in food regulatory approaches
- the impact these have on businesses and regulatory outcomes.
We also commissioned the following resources:
- Ensuring consistency across Australia and New Zealand’s bi-national food regulatory system
- Key areas of inconsistency in food regulation
These independent reports do not represent the views of FRSC members.
Related information
This is part of the activities to reform the food regulation system.
View all the activities to maintain a strong and agile food regulation system.