Food Regulation Secretariat

The Implementation Sub-Committee (ISC)

The Implementation Sub-Committee is a sub committee of the Food Regulation Standing Committee.

ISC is a sub committee of the Food Regulation Standing Committee. Its role is to develop and oversee a consistent approach across jurisdictions to implementation and enforcement of food regulations and standards, regardless of whether food is sourced from domestic producers, export-registered establishments or from imports.

ISC will develop, or assist in the development of, guidelines on consistent enforcement of food regulations and standards, which will also be aimed at minimising cost to industry and meeting the objective of minimum effective regulation.

Strategy for consistent implementation and enforcement of food regulation in Australia

The Implementation Sub Committee has developed a strategy for consistent implementation and enforcement of food regulation in Australia. The strategy incorporates an agreed three year work plan.

The Strategy was endorsed by the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council on 28 October 2005.

Australian food regulators have adopted this strategy to guide their work in implementing food regulation consistently across all portfolios and levels of government involved in food regulation. New Zealand supports the strategy and participates for joint Australian and New Zealand standards, where appropriate.

The full documents are available in PDF format:

• A strategy for consistent implementation of food regulation in Australia

Implementation Sub Committee – Report of the first two years

The Implementation Sub Committee (ISC) has developed a report for the first two years of its operation (October 2003 – October 2005). The main purpose of the report is to provide a detailed report of ISC progress to date on key tasks and operation. The report covers establishment, role, responsibilities and membership of ISC as well as key deliverables and future directions.

The full documents are available in PDF format:

• Implementation Sub Committee – Report of the first two years

National Food Incident Response Protocol

As part of the overarching strategy for consistent implementation and enforcement of food regulation in Australia it was agreed that a National Food Incident Response Protocol (the Protocol) be developed to maintain an effective system for the management of national food safety incidents. The Protocol was endorsed by the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council in May 2007.

The Protocol is a guide for ISC member agencies and provides a framework to coordinate the response of these agencies to a food incident. The Protocol formalises current arrangements between agencies and defines roles and associated responsibilities required of them during the response to a national food incident.

A food incident is defined as "any situation within the food supply chain where there is a risk, potential risk or perceived risk of illness or confirmed illness associated with the consumption of a food or foods."

Contact details:
Food Standards Australia New Zealand Recall Officer
Phone 02 6271 2610

The document is available in PDF format:
National Food Incident Response Protocol (PDF 105 KB)