Source: BusinessNZ
BusinessNZ welcomes today’s announcement by the Ministers for Regulation and Commerce and Consumer Affairs of a long-overdue review of New Zealand’s product labelling system.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the move has the potential to reduce unnecessary compliance costs for business and expand product choice for consumers.
“For years, businesses have raised concerns about the fragmented, outdated and overly prescriptive nature of current labelling rules, many of which are unique to New Zealand. These rules create cost and complexity without delivering additional benefit to consumers.
“Many imported products must be repackaged specifically for the New Zealand market. Others never make it to our shelves at all because the cost of bespoke production runs for our small population is simply uneconomic. That means fewer choices for Kiwi consumers.
“We hope the review’s Terms of Reference will be ambitious and wide-ranging. Labelling is not just about what’s printed on a sticker – it’s about the entire packaging system. Bespoke New Zealand-only requirements, such as mandatory pack sizes or unique wording, often force manufacturers into inefficient short production runs that raise per-unit costs and restrict market entry.
“Businesses frequently cite excessive requirements for physical labels that lead to cluttered, unreadable packaging – while the current system offers little support for digital solutions like QR codes or digital product passports.
“A review is timely. Other countries are modernising their systems to enhance traceability, sustainability, and access to product information. New Zealand should not fall behind.”
BusinessNZ supports moves to:
– Further align with key trading partners like Australia
– Increase mutual recognition of trusted international labelling standards and systems
– Enable digital labelling options where appropriate
– Streamline regulation and reduce agency duplication
– Make the system more responsive to technology and change
“We look forward to contributing to this important review. Getting it right means better outcomes for consumers, exporters, small businesses, and the wider economy,” Mrs Rich said.
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
