Australia Moves to Strengthen Packaging Producer Responsibility

The Australian Government is drafting reforms to tighten the nation’s packaging framework, aiming to shift more responsibility onto producers. The existing co‑regulatory system, which combines government oversight with industry‑led stewardship through bodies such as the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), has missed national packaging targets, suffered from inconsistent reporting, and raised questions about accountability after products are sold. In parallel, a private senator’s bill proposes a national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging, signalling a broader move toward stronger producer obligations.

These initiatives seek to address the limitations of the current system and ensure that businesses placing packaging on the market bear greater responsibility for its end‑of‑life management.