Coles Group on behalf of itself and participating supermarkets

On 24 June 2024, the ACCC received an application from Coles Group Limited on behalf of itself, Woolworths Group Limited and ALDI Stores (together, the Participants) for revocation of authorisation AA1000627 and substitution of a new authorisation AA1000673.

The Participants are seeking authorisation for themselves and current and future Program Partners to continue to engage in conduct in connection with the industry-led Soft Plastics Taskforce which was established in 2022 following the collapse of the REDcycle soft plastics recycling program.

On 18 July 2024, the ACCC granted interim authorisation with conditions for substantially the same conduct to enable stockpile remediation activities and the Participants’ instore collection pilot program to continue without disruption while the ACCC considers the substantive application.  The conditions include the requirement that the Participants continue to keep the ACCC informed about the progress via the submission of Minutes of the Soft Plastics Taskforce and quarterly progress reports.

On 8 October 2024, the Participants made a submission that included a variation to the description of the conduct and extending the term of authorisation sought to 31 July 2026.

An indicative timeline for the ACCC's assessment is set out below.