Infant Nutrition Council Ltd

On 25 March 2024, Infant Nutrition Council Limited lodged an application for authorisation to allow current and future manufacturers in, and importers into, Australia of infant formula to continue to make and give effect to the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula: Manufacturers and Importers Agreement (MAIF Agreement) and its associated guidelines. The MAIF Agreement is a voluntary self-regulatory code of conduct which governs the marketing of infant formula for infants up to 12 months. It constitutes Australia's application of the World Health Organisation's International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes.

The Infant Nutrition Council is seeking authorisation without conditions for 5 years. The Department of Health and Aged Care commissioned an independent review of the MAIF Agreement  and has published a final report and consultation report on 11 April 2024. Both reports are available on the Department’s website. The nature and timing of any Federal Government response to the review is currently unknown. The Infant Nutrition Council seeks authorisation to allow sufficient time for industry to respond to any Federal Government response before seeking re-authorisation for the MAIF Agreement in the future, and to ensure that a framework remains in place until any alternative regime is introduced.

The ACCC invites the views of interested parties on this application. Submissions are requested by 30 June 2024. If you wish to make a submission in relation to this matter, please lodge it via this web form.

An indicative timetable is set out below: