Information for applicants
Application inquiries must be directed to the Standards Management Officer by email to standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au or telephone: +61 2 6271 2280.
Applicants are strongly advised to consult with FSANZ prior to submitting an application to ensure that the application contains all the necessary information relevant to the proposed variation to the Code. This can be done via teleconference, video link or at a face-to-face meeting. Please contact the Standards Management Officer to make arrangements.
Applicants must ensure that their applications meet any requirements laid out in the relevant guidelines set out in Part 3 of the Application Handbook.
Publication of applications
Under the Information Publication Scheme all applications and submissions received after 1 May 2011 (with the exception of any material that is confidential) will be published on the FSANZ website. FSANZ will also progressively publish other applications (with the exception of any material that is confidential) received before 1 May 2011 where there is a strong public interest.
Applications will be published when we publicly notify FSANZ’s decision on completion of the Administrative Assessment. Supporting documents for applications will be released with the first assessment report.
Information requirements for an application
Applications must contain the information specified in the relevant parts of Part 3 of the Application Handbook.
For further details regarding the use of Part 3, please refer to Section 1.4 – Navigating the Application Handbook.
For further details in relation to the data quality, please refer to Section 3.1.5 – Information to support the Application.
Fees
FSANZ does not charge a fee for the assessment of an application unless either:
- FSANZ determines that an applicant has an exclusive capturable commercial benefit (ECCB); or
- an applicant wishes work to start on the assessment immediately, rather than according to the anticipated timeframes established as part of the Administrative Assessment.
See Part 2.1.4 of the Application Handbook for further information.
Community involvement and consultation during the assessment process
Community involvement is a vital part of the standards development process. Public consultation is a two-way process. To consult effectively, we need to provide stakeholders with the necessary information about the processes and issues pertinent to each application and proposal. Our Community Involvement Policy and Protocol sets out our commitment to involving the community in its processes.
Statutory timeframes
The FSANZ Act and the associated Regulation require FSANZ to make its decisions relating to applications within stipulated periods of time, depending on the Procedure into which an application has been placed. See Part 2 of the Application Handbook.
Useful links
Consultation opportunities on amendments to the Application Handbook
FSANZ’s cost recovery arrangements
Statutory Declaration (PDF 13 KB)
Additional guidance documents for applications