Compliance, Enforcement and Recalls
The APVMA encourages industry and the public to report the advertising and supply of unregistered and unapproved chemicals or the promotion of products inconsistent with approved labels. Current policy is that all reports are acknowledged upon receipt and prioritised for action on the basis of 'chemical risk'. Chemical risk is based on the potential or actual harm to the environment, human, plant or animal health, or trade with other countries.
Higher risk reports are pursued through an inquiry that may escalate to an investigation, with a view to prosecution or product recall. Those assessed as representing a low to medium, or continuing risk, are primarily dealt with through warnings and negotiation to achieve compliance.
Download the Compliance with the Law fact sheet (PDF, 315kb) | (RTF, 1.45Mb)
Compliance information sheets
The APVMA periodically produces information sheets for different industry sectors to help these sectors comply with their legal requirements for supplying and advertising agricultural and veterinary chemical products. A collection of these information sheets is available below:
- Important regulatory information for hydroponic retailers (PDF, 66kb) | (RTF, 170kb)
- Information for retailers of pet medicines and treatments (PDF, 40kb) | (RTF, 135kb)
- Monitoring visits and compliance with the Agvet Code (PDF, 66kb) | (RTF, 185kb)
- Supply of Hormonal Growth Promotants (HGPs) (PDF, 71kb) | (RTF, 44kb)
Compliance and enforcement of the Law
Before an agricultural or veterinary chemical product can be legally imported, supplied, sold or used in Australia, it must be registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
Part of the APVMA's role and responsibility is to monitor and enforce compliance with the Agvet Code up to and including the point of retail sale. The APVMA also works closely with State and Territory departments to ensure there is effective coordination and communication of compliance efforts.
See a list of the recent enforcement actions taken by the APVMA.
Current monitoring activities
See a list of the current activities that the APVMA is undertaking to ensure compliance.
Recalls
The ability to recall defective or non-compliant product is fundamental to assuring quality and safety of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in the Australian marketplace and compliance with Australia's agricultural and veterinary chemicals legislation.