APCO Unveils Business Plan to Guide Packaging Regulation Transition

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has released its new business plan, setting out a clear pathway to help industry navigate impending packaging regulation, stewardship obligations and national alignment during a period of rapid change.

Developed through extensive consultation with members and stakeholders, the plan reinforces APCO’s role as a system leader and aims to provide businesses with confidence, clarity and practical support as they adapt to a more sophisticated regulatory environment.

APCO Chief Executive Officer said feedback from national consultation was decisive: while members support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), they want strong, consistent regulation that delivers certainty and protects early action. The Business Plan responds directly to this call, outlining frameworks to strengthen member leadership and prepare industry for what lies ahead.

Targeted 18-Month Program

The plan sets out a focused program of work across five core areas:
• Packaging Standards & Design: clearer, more practical guidelines, backed by Material Stewardship Committees and updated Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPGs).
• Australasian Recycling Label (ARL): enhanced governance and alignment with global best practice to strengthen the program.
• Reporting & Packaging Data: streamlined processes and improved data tools to make reporting easier and more accurate.
• Soft-Plastic Stewardship & EPR: a coordinated industry-led pathway with the Soft Plastics Solutions Alliance (SPSA) and a Stewardship Assurance Framework to guide recovery initiatives.
• Government Relations: stronger national advocacy to reduce regulatory inconsistency and ensure member priorities shape future policy.

APCO said the plan reflects the organisation’s commitment to supporting members through change while driving national alignment on packaging regulation.

To read more about the plan, you can click here APCO_Statement.