When the Container Deposit Scheme was introduced in New South Wales in December 2017, there was a two-year transition period allowed for making necessary changes to barcodes, labels and can lids to comply with the legislation.
That transition period has now finished and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reminded suppliers that non-compliant labels will penalised.
The EPA said: “Substantial penalties may apply to container approval holders who supply beverages that do not meet the conditions of approval.
“Penalties may also apply to any supplier or retailer who supplies or attempts to supply an eligible container that does not bear the refund marking in accordance with the Regulation.”
The Independent Brewers Association (IBA) has advised its members as to how they can ensure that they adhere to the CDS labeling changes.
The IBA said: “The best option for those who are canning is to print the correct wording on the bottom of the can using your date printer if it can be done legibly. We have had this solution signed off by the head of compliance at the EPA. This solution has been confirmed to be acceptable as an interim solution by the major retailers.
“Over-labeling your packaging stock is costly but less-so than replacement of cans. Note that it is not necessary to cover the existing CDS wording on the can. Some outsourced packaging providers (eg: East Coast Canning) may be able to place labels to cover the existing wording for aesthetic purposes.
“For existing stock in retailers, the only real solution is over-labeling with a generic sticker. Download this PDF which can be printed on Avery L7651 stickers available at office supply stores.”
The IBA has also previously published its Beer Labeling Guidelines, which are available on the IBA website.