Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation

APCO sets out nine-point policy platform for Australian packaging reform

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation has released a Policy Platform proposing national settings for packaging design, labelling, recycled content and producer fees, to be delivered through the existing Covenant framework. The platform follows the Federal Government's decision not to introduce a new Commonwealth packaging scheme this term, and comes ahead of the 18 September Environment Ministers Meeting where nationally consistent action will be discussed.

Why this mattersA national EPR and labelling framework built on the existing Covenant would set compliance obligations and recycled-content demand signals for all brand owners selling into Australia.

• APCO's Policy Platform covers nine areas including governance, targets, producer fees, design standards and labelling
• Covenant participation has grown to more than 2400 brand owners
• The platform follows the Federal Government's decision not to introduce a new Commonwealth packaging scheme this term
• APCO supports mandatory use of the Australasian Recycling Label on consumer packaging
• APCO earlier this month joined the Australian Council of Recycling and Boomerang Alliance calling for nationally consistent EPR
• The Environment Ministers Meeting is scheduled for 18 September 2026

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