It’s emerging as a talking point in Australia due to a new bill introduced in South Australia that will seek to provide regulation around petfood labelling and marketing – something that has had no regulation in the Australian pet industry for a long time.
Australia Moves Toward Pet Food Regulation with Proposed South Australia Law
It’s emerging as a talking point in Australia due to a new bill introduced in South Australia that will seek to provide regulation around pet food labelling and marketing – something that has had no regulation in the Australian pet industry for a long time.
The Push for Safer, More Transparent Pet Food
Australia has a $6 billion pet food market and unsurprisingly does not have one set of legally binding national regulations around pet food production, safety or labelling. This may soon change if South Australia adopts its Pet Food (Marketing and Labelling) Act 2024 – a proposal presented by a lawmaker – Frank Pangallo.
“It’s incomprehensible Australia still has no pet food regulation,” Pangallo said, pointing to the history of contamination and poisoning of pet food that is known to have occurred. “This bill will do just that and put transparency and responsibility back on pet food.”
What the Bill Proposes
The legislation aims to make Australian Standard AS5812:2023 universal (at least in South Australia). AS5812:2023 is a document written by the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia (PFIAA), the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), and numerous others, which currently offers best practice (no more no less) voluntary advice on the safe manufacture and marketing of dog and cat food.
- Require pet food sold in South Australia to be labeled in accordance with AS5812:2023.
- Penalize misleading and/or non-compliant labeling and marketing.
- Require the maker or vendor to disclose relevant information regarding the product to readers.
Penalties for non-compliance
The conductivity violations, therefore, increases with the number of convictions:
- The fine for an offence is AU$20,000 (approximately US$13,600).
- The fine for a second offence is AU$40,000 (approximately US$27,200).
- The fine for a subsequent offence is AU$60,000 (approximately US$40,800).
Understanding Australia’s Pet Food Standard AS5812:2023
The AS5812 standard has been around since 2011. It has established:
- Nutritional adequacy
- Additives usage safety
- Hygiene requirements in manufacturing
- Comprehensive labeling for products
- Guidelines for claims made in marketing
As of 2023, the standard has been updated to a broader scope in terms of product contents disclosure and consumer labelled descriptions. However, as compliance is voluntary, the impact of the standard will be limited unless it is contained in legislation.
As an example, one limitation is that AS5812 is a copyrighted document that must be purchased to access, something which legislation could address.
Industry Momentum Beyond the Bill
Alongside Bill 244, there are several initiatives that are working on creating pathways for national change:
- PFIAA “Tick of Approval” Program (2024)—A voluntary labeling initiative to allow consumers to easily identify AS5812 compliant products. A logo will be on packaging and websites.
- Standard 4841:2006—A recently established standard in South Australia, which outlines hygienic practice to produce pet meat, another initiative developing to further tighten safety.
- PFIAA members, by representing more than 70 pet food brands, are regularly audited to comply with AS5812. For these members, any proposed legislation would reinforce conditions they have been following in practice.
A Step Toward National Change?
With bipartisan support and a timeframe in the Parliament for a third reading, the bill is most likely to pass. If it does pass, the bill will take effect two months after it is signed by the governor.
Pangallo believes it transcends mere improvements at the state level:
“By leading at a state level in South Australia, we can push higher standards across the country. Our pets, and the families that love them, deserve more.”
Why It Matters
Australia has 28.7 million companion animals, and the majority are dogs and cats, with:
- 40% of households having a dog
- 27% of households having a cat
Until now, though, pet food producers haven’t had to comply with legally enforceable standards. Advocates say, without regulation, consumer confidence is compromised, and pet health unnecessarily jeopardized.
Key Takeaways
- Australia doesn’t have any national regulatory framework around pet food, but South Australia could be the first.
- The Pet Food (Marketing and Labeling) Act 2024 is attempting to secure transparency and accuracy, but most importantly, safety.
- The Act references the AS5812:2023 standard, which was developed collaboratively by some of the leading veterinary, as well as pet food professionals.
- Industry groups, such as pet food labels, have been pre-emptively aligning to voluntary compliance pathways and tools like the PFIAA’s voluntary ‘Tick of Approval’ scheme.
- If the Pet Food (Marketing and Labeling) Act 2024 passes, this creates the opportunity to have standardised pet food legislation nationally in Australia.
Concerned about your pet food brand’s evolving obligations in Australia, or any other country with market developments?
Our regulatory team is well qualified to assist in understanding compliance with AS5812, labelling validation, and potential compliance for global standard certification requirements.
Contact Food Research Lab Today for the purpose of assuring you are ‘ready’ for future market demands.
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