Labelling
Labels are used by businesses to convey information about products, to promote features of products that may be attractive to the consumer, or to describe contents that the consumer can't see.
The Trade Practices Act (TPA) contains a general prohibition against conduct that misleads or deceives or is likely to mislead or deceive. It also contains specific prohibitions against making certain false and misleading representations, including on labels.
In some circumstances, the law requires that labels be used to give information to consumers, such as:
- the mandatory consumer product information standards under the Trade Practices Act
- industry specific regulations, such as the Food Standards Code
- labels required by Customs for some imported products under the Commerce (Trade Descriptions) Act.
Country of origin labelling
The TPA prohibits businesses from making false or misleading claims concerning the place of origin of goods. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) country of origin webpage tells you how to go about obtaining your country of origin labelling and the regulations governing the Australian Made logo.
What to do...
- Read more about trade descriptions and labelling on imports on the Customs Commerce markings page.
- Read the Customs fact sheet on labelling requirements for exported goods (PDF, 0.03MB).
- Read more about labelling of products on the ACCC's website.
- Read the Biodegradable, degradable and recyclable claims on plastic bags (PDF, 0.35MB) publication, available on the ACCC website.
- Contact the ACCC small business helpline on 1300 302 021.
