Articles

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In 2020 the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) engaged Deloitte Access Economics to undertake an independent study on competition in managed funds. This study examines the structure, conduct and performance of the managed funds industry. It seeks to understand the effectiveness of competition within the industry and to identify indicators of market power or…

Read More Competition in managed funds Interim Report seeks comment and submissions by industry

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The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code has been amended to introduce new requirements for the labelling of allergens in food. The changes will make allergen information on food labels clearer and more consistent for consumers by requiring simple, plain English allergen declarations in a specific format and location on food labels. The key features…

Read More New requirements for labelling of allergens on packaged foods

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Customers needing life support equipment – such as kidney dialysis machines – will find it easier and cheaper to shop around for better energy deals under a new rule announced by the Australian Energy Market Commission. This is an AEMC media release, originally published on the 25th February, 2021. The change to the National Energy…

Read More New rule helps life support customers switch and save on energy plans

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Women are widely under-represented in developing the standards that affect so many areas of our lives, from the products we consume every day to the technologies needed to address a wide range of sustainability challenges. Many of these standards do not adequately address how women and men may be affected differently, for example ill-fitting personal protective…

Read More Women in standards development – International Women’s Day 2021 March 8 “Choose to challenge”

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In his annual address to Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA), ACCC Chair Rod Sims announced the ACCC’s compliance and enforcement priorities for 2021. This annual review of ACCC priorities for the next 12 months has become a vital component of the ACCC’s strategic approach to compliance and enforcement work and its delivery, as well…

Read More ACCC 2021 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities Announced

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Australia’s Energy Star Rating scheme provides consumers with useful information about the relative energy efficiency of a product. The more stars a product gets, the more energy efficient it is compared to other models of the same size or capacity. The energy star rating of an appliance is determined by its energy consumption, using the relevant Australian Standard for measuring energy consumption…

Read More Public comment invited on updates of the energy efficiency labelling requirements for dishwashers and dryers

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Electric vehicles (that use minimal to no fuel) are becoming more popular and Australian consumers need to feel confident electric transportation will meet the challenges facing the Australian landscape, such as the size of our county or capability of our electricity grid.  According to the Australian Electric Vehicle Market Study Report Electric Vehicles (EVs) are expected to…

Read More Why an electric vehicle?

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A report on the sale of add-on general insurance products by the independent committee monitoring the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice (the Code) outlines the extent to which  and how Code subscribing insurance brokers provide add-on insurance products to their clients. This is an Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee media release The Insurance Brokers Code…

Read More Most brokers handling insurance add-ons well, but there is room for improvement: Report

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Not all cyber security risks can be addressed by governments and industry — individuals should also take steps to protect themselves. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how much Australians interact and work online, trusting the internet for healthcare, working from home, education, entertainment and online shopping. Protecting you and your family online is about more than avoiding…

Read More Cyber security — your responsibility

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The COVID-19 epidemic has raised concerns around supply chains and the need for more innovation. So how can organisations be innovative enough in order to deal with an increasingly uncertain world? Standards Australia has recently published three AS ISO standards on  Innovation management — about guidance, vocabulary, and tools and methods for innovative partnerships. A Consumers Federation…

Read More Innovate or perish —Standards Australia publishes standards on innovation management

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Under certain circumstances, open flued gas space heaters pose a risk of releasing unhealthy and sometimes lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide into buildings. Malfunctioning, poorly or infrequently serviced open flued gas space heaters in residential settings have resulted in the deaths of three Victorians since 2010. Your views are being sought on the Regulatory Impact…

Read More Phase out of open flued gas space heaters — have your say