ACCC authorises environmentally-friendly chemical waste reduction scheme

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted authorisation to AgStewardship Australia Limited to charge a four cent per litre/kilogram levy on manufacturers and suppliers of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.
The Industry Waste Reduction Scheme incorporates the drumMUSTER and ChemClear® programs, which provide for the collection and disposal of unwanted, empty agvet chemical containers. The scheme has had an authorisation in place since 1998.

The ACCC received a large number of submissions from interested parties, including State, Territory and Commonwealth agencies and agricultural and veterinary industry associations. They supported the scheme and considered it encouraged environmentally responsible practices.
The ACCC has authorised the arrangements for five years.

More information regarding AgStewardship's application and a copy of the determination are available from the ACCC's website (www.accc.gov.au) or by emailing the Adjudication Branch at adjudication@accc.gov.au.

Authorisation provides protection from court action for conduct or arrangements that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974.  Authorisation is granted where the ACCC is satisfied that the benefit to the public from the conduct outweighs any public detriment. A party to whom authorisation had been granted may also apply to the ACCC for revocation of that authorisation and substitution with a new authorisation.