The Morrison government has announced the use of stopgap regulation to reinstate Australia’s complementary medicines industry's right to access the ‘Made in Australia’ logo. 

The Industry, Science and Technology Minister Karen Andrews announced the interim plans until legislation to change consumer laws can pass federal Parliament. 

The $5 billion dollar industry has been impacted since mid-2018 when reviews to Australian Made licensees commenced for medicines manufactured locally, affecting around 200 license holders. 

The change to Country of Origin laws inadvertently created a contradiction to the sector where a product is deemed to be manufactured in Australia under one law (regulated by the TGA), but not Australian Made under consumer law. 

The CMA called on the Government to expedite a regulation update to ensure advanced manufacturing of health products could continue in Australia. 

The announcement this week means that complementary medicines manufactured in Australian facilities regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, can once again qualify to use the Made in Australia logo. 

CMA has strongly advocated for this decision, a decision which means that once again, Australian businesses can take advantage of access to new and bigger markets, including through free-trade agreements with China, Japan, Korea and Indonesia. 

Carl Gibson, Chief Executive of Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA), revealed that CMA continues to work collaboratively with stakeholders throughout the reforms with the Government and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), but swift implementation of the regulation amendment must be delivered. 

“We welcome this interim measure which provides Australian manufacturers, industry and consumers with a sensible and practical resolution. The ability to use Made in Australia claims for complementary medicines manufactured in Australia to the highest standards in the world, has become a significant competitive advantage for Australian companies. Because of their reputation for quality and safety, our products are recognised and sought after globally. We should be proud that consumers around the world look to and trust these Australian credentials." 

This world-class reputation has resulted in Australia overtaking the United States to become the number one exporter of nutrition and health food products into China[1]. 

“I urge the Government to continue to support our industry’s remarkable export success by ensuring Australian-based manufacturers can continue to use ‘Made in Australia,’ for their Australian made products," ends Carl Gibson. 

Media Interviews Contact: CMA, Ravinder Lilly Ravinder.lilly@cmaustralia.org.au 

[1] Import of Nutraceutical and Health foods into China in 2018, CCCHMPIE, March 2019.