Stay up to date with the latest sustainability movements

The National Retail Association (NRA) Policy team actively work across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their...

The National Retail Association (NRA) Policy team actively work across multiple sustainability and environmental regulations impacting retailers and their supply chains. 1. Single-Use Plastics Summary table: See the latest update to our summary table of all single-use plastic regulations in Australia and New Zealand: https://www.nationalretail.org.au/policy-advocacy/action-on-single use-plastics/    2. Plastic bans across AU/NZ: Need...

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WA passes more plastic bans

On Friday 24 February, the WA Government passed regulations to phase-out more single-use plastic items, including coffee cups and...

On Friday 24 February, the WA Government passed regulations to phase-out more single-use plastic items, including coffee cups and containers, over the next 3 years. The National Retail Association delivered a comprehensive engagement program in WA in 2022 to assist with the Stage 1 ban, visiting over 4300 retailers, providing...

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UK greenwashing guidance and learnings for Australian retailers

Consumers are placing greater importance on the social and environmental credentials of their purchases. The ACCC has heard growing...

Consumers are placing greater importance on the social and environmental credentials of their purchases. The ACCC has heard growing concerns that some businesses are falsely promoting environmental or green credentials to capitalise on these consumer preferences – termed ‘greenwashing.’ Consumers are often unable to determine the accuracy of a product’s...

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A new way of packaging that connects businesses together

The National Retail Association, Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, Australian Institute of Packaging, and the Australian food and Grocery Council...

The National Retail Association, Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, Australian Institute of Packaging, and the Australian food and Grocery Council are working in collaboration on the Federal Government's Australasian Recycling Label (ARL). In May 2023, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) will be launching a new packaging platform on the ARL Marketplace:...

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New mandatory safety standard for non-refillable helium cylinders – what you need to know

The Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services the Hon. Stephen Jones MP has introduced a new mandatory safety...

The Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services the Hon. Stephen Jones MP has introduced a new mandatory safety standard for non-refillable helium cylinders. The new safety standard seeks to reduce harm from deliberate misuse. The Consumer Goods (Non-refillable Helium Cylinders) Safety Standard comes into effect on 16 April 2023. What the industry needs...

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Victorian retailers prepare with 2 weeks until plastics ban

The Victorian Government is implementing a single-use plastic ban across Victoria on February 1. Single-use plastic drinking straws and stirrers,...

The Victorian Government is implementing a single-use plastic ban across Victoria on February 1. Single-use plastic drinking straws and stirrers, single-use plastic cutlery, single-use plastic plates, single-use plastic cotton buds and food service items and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene will be banned. The National Retail Association were engaged to...

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Are you a packaging or labelling business?

ARE YOU A PACKAGING OR LABELLING BUSINESS? This opportunity might be for you! Calling all packaging and labelling manufacturers, distributors...

ARE YOU A PACKAGING OR LABELLING BUSINESS? This opportunity might be for you! Calling all packaging and labelling manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. In May 2023, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) will be launching a new packaging platform on the ARL Marketplace. Its purpose is to provide a simple sourcing solution...

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NRA calls for more collaboration to improve modern slavery outcomes

Businesses operating in Australia with a turnover of $100 million or more are required under the Modern Slavery Act...

Businesses operating in Australia with a turnover of $100 million or more are required under the Modern Slavery Act to tackle modern slavery in their operations and supply chain, submitting an annual statement to outline their progress. Recently the Federal Government called for submissions as part of a review of...

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Queenslanders encouraged to have say on spirit, wine bottle refunds

Queenslanders are being asked to serve up their views on expanding the Palaszczuk Government’s popular Containers for Change program...

Queenslanders are being asked to serve up their views on expanding the Palaszczuk Government’s popular Containers for Change program to include glass wine and spirit bottles. An online survey and discussion paper have been launched asking Queenslanders and industry to have their say on growing the recycling scheme which puts...

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Applications for the 2023 PIDA Awards are now open!

Entries are now open for the 2023 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards which are coordinated by the...

Entries are now open for the 2023 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards which are coordinated by the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP). The PIDA Awards are designed to recognise companies and individuals across 15 categories who are making a significant difference in their field in Australia and...

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Australia Post reveals Christmas parcel deadlines

The most wonderful time of the year is not far now! Besides bringing warmth, peace, and joy to households across...

The most wonderful time of the year is not far now! Besides bringing warmth, peace, and joy to households across the globe, Australia Post reveals a "Plan ahead' move by issuing parcel posting deadlines for when gifts need to be sent so they are delivered around the country before Christmas. It...

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NRA shares retailer views on IR Bill with Senate Inquiry

Following our strong criticisms of the truncated consultation process for the Federal Government’s “Secure Jobs, Better Pay” Bill, the...

Following our strong criticisms of the truncated consultation process for the Federal Government’s “Secure Jobs, Better Pay” Bill, the National Retail Association was pleased to leverage our significant workplace relations expertise to reflect the views of the industry in its comprehensive submission to the Senate Inquiry last week. A...

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Perth retailers rejoice with 33 additional trading hours this Christmas

General retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area can rejoice this Christmas with 33 extra trading hours available to boost sales. Between...

General retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area can rejoice this Christmas with 33 extra trading hours available to boost sales. Between Saturday 10 December 2022 and 2 January 2023, general retail shops can choose to open 8am to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. From Monday 19 December until Christmas Eve,...

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Retailers welcome state review of container refund scheme

The National Retail Association has welcomed the Queensland Government’s review of the Containers for Change initiative to increase the...

The National Retail Association has welcomed the Queensland Government’s review of the Containers for Change initiative to increase the types of containers that are eligible for the successful 10-cent refund scheme. NRA Director of Policy David Stout said expanding the scope to include wine and spirit bottles will make recycling...

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Recapping the 2022 Federal Budget panel discussion and the implications for the retail industry

On Thursday, November 3, we held our post-budget analysis webinar in conjunction with BDO, Retail Doctor Group and the Chair...

On Thursday, November 3, we held our post-budget analysis webinar in conjunction with BDO, Retail Doctor Group and the Chair of the NRA Board. Our industry expert panel, Salim Biskri, Brian Walker, Tim Schaafsma, and Lindsay Carroll, lead a very insightful and engaging discussion on the outcomes of the budget for retailers and how retailers can...

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Thousands of businesses phase-out single-use plastics

The National Retail Association today applauds New South Wales businesses for taking the single-use plastic ban in their stride. From...

The National Retail Association today applauds New South Wales businesses for taking the single-use plastic ban in their stride. From 1 November, the NSW Government is banning single-use items including: Plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, unlidded bowls, and cotton buds Food ware and cups made from expanded polystyrene Rinse-off personal...

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