The Australian Food and Grocery Industry Code of Conduct (The Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes—Food and Grocery) Regulation 2015), is a legally enforceable, voluntary prescribed code under the Australian Competition and Consumer Act.
Signatories to the code include Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, and AboutLife Natural Marketplace. Each organisation supplies a member to the Code Compliance Panel.
The Code aims to deliver more contractual certainty in trading relations between suppliers and supermarkets, encourage the better sharing of risk, and reduce inappropriate use of market power across the value chain.
The Code sets out clear obligations to ensure key elements of Grocery Supply Agreements are discussed and agreed up front. It does not seek to impose overly restrictive rules on commercial negotiations, but rather provides commercial flexibility within a set framework of requirements and controls on behaviour.
An important component of the Code is the dispute resolution provisions. A number of options will be available for suppliers’ including; a retailer’s complaints process; mediation/arbitration; legal avenues; or ACCC.
Access the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct on the ACCC website.
Raising issues
Companies that wish to raise an issue or provide information on a potential Code infringement can contact the Australian Food and Grocery Council by downloading a form here and returning via email to code@afgc.org.au , post to AFGC, Level 2, 2-4 Brisbane Ave, Barton ACT 2600, fax on 02 6273 1477, or contact AFGC on 02 6273 1466
New Zealand Exporters to Australia
New Zealand companies exporting to Australia can access an online course on the Australian Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, under a special arrangement between FGC and Australasian retail marketing and strategy company NextGen.
A working knowledge of the Code is vital for New Zealand companies selling into Australia. The Code introduces a new regime for fair dealing in the industry, and has the potential to improve trading relationships between retailers and suppliers, including New Zealand suppliers.
The course supports suppliers’ understanding of the Code obligations, legal requirements, and teaches them how to get maximum benefit from it. It’s the same course used by Australian companies, and completion will mean suppliers become accredited practitioners of the Code.
The material is interactive and contains a high proportion of video instruction. There is a certification process that includes completion of quizzes throughout the modules and a final test.
The course contains 12 modules, which are to be completed in sequence. Total time to complete the modules, including the assessment, is 4-5 hours and this can be completed at your own pace and in multiple sessions. Each participant will receive a course book and case study book that will be used to complete the programme. This is the same material provided in NextGen’s classroom sessions.
Tutoring, online or by email, is also available, along with phone-based support.
Technical Requirements
PC/laptop: The course uses Moodle, an industry standard for educational training, which is browser-based, so participants need just a computer and some quiet space to concentrate.
Tablet: Those on the go can download the Moodle App to a tablet or iPad (from the App Store), which enables them to download individual modules to complete anywhere.
Signing Up
To sign up, click here and follow the link to the registration page. NextGen will contact you to confirm your NZFGC membership and preferred payment method. Once you have completed sign-up and payment, a course pack with instructions and your log-in details will be couriered to you. You have six months from that time to complete the programme.
NZFGC member rate: A$290
Non-member rate: A$365
NZFGC members who prefer face-to-face training can contact Kira Mikelatos at NZFGC. Depending on the number of participants, NextGen could organise a session in New Zealand.
Contact: For further information at any time, you can email Mike Rudman at NextGen.