Product labelling regulatory review – Terms of Reference published

The Ministry for Regulation has published the terms of reference for its Product Labelling Review. 

The Terms of Reference were developed after consultation with businesses and industry groups to understand product labelling pain points across a range of product types.

Product labels list ingredients, expiry dates, and safety warnings on an item – they are essential for keeping customers safe and informed. 

The labelling system has become bloated with more than 30 overlapping, confusing, costly, and often outdated rules that make it harder for Kiwi companies to compete and innovate.

Deputy Chief Executive Paul Delahunty says talking to businesses revealed just how complicated the system is.

“We’ve been told of over-the-counter medicines produced in Australia having to be relabelled for sale in New Zealand – the medicine is safe and able to be used here – but the box had to be relabelled before it could go on the shelf.

“We heard of cases where a supermarket can bake bread instore and sell it without a label, but if it sends a loaf to another of its stores to sell, it needs full labels with packing information.

“Even something as simple as olives in brine are not immune.  Olives imported from Europe and the US must be relabelled because while the nutrition information is accurate – the format doesn’t match New Zealand’s prescribed layout.” 

The review will look at opportunities to:

• cut compliance costs for businesses
• encourage innovation in how product information is shared
• better align New Zealand’s rules with international trading partners.

The review will look to remove product labelling barriers to improve supermarket competition.  

Review findings and recommendations will be delivered to Ministers to consider at the end of the year.

Find out more, including the Terms of Reference and Summary of Engagement Report