Problems relating to Trade and Investment on Australia

19. Industrial standards, approval of safety standards
Issue	Issue details	Requests	Reference

(1) Introduction of Individual State's Own Independent Safety Standards And Rules

- It seems the move has subsided to promulgate individual STATES' own regulations by their own standards, such as Victoria state's decision for introduction of compulsory safety device, or speed control device draft regulation and New South Wales draft regulation for standardisation of alternative fuel standard. Hereafter, it is requested that the federal government under its initiative will advance harmonisation of the Australian regulations with "The European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road (ADR)." The absence in harmonisation in standards will likely compel car manufacturers to develop individual "state" exclusive diversity of car designs with the resulting delays in new model introduction and the increased costs to the end users.

- It is requested that federal government, hereafter at its initiative:
-- strengthens the framework in which to deliberate on standards and specifications with the view to eliminate any chances of individual states from advancing their own standards and regulations, and
-- aggressively advance harmonisation of Australian regulations with European ADR.

(2) Aggravated Profitability due to Introduction of National Product Stewardship Legislation

- Beginning 1 July 2012, all manufacturers and importers of television receivers are required to contribute to the recycling of television receivers. This requirement will serve as a new element of aggravating their profitable operation.

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