WFA Packaging

Why is WFA involved in packaging issues?
Packaging related issues have the potential to affect the wine industry in the areas of trade, cost, standards and education, and it is imperative that Australia's high quality reputation is maintained both domestically and internationally.

Our vision for the industry
To protect the integrity of the Australian wine industry's reputation by identifying and managing issues relating to wine packaging and providing recommendations to the WFA Executive Council.

How will we achieve this?
The Packaging Committee was established to enable the development of a unified position for the wine industry in regard to packaging related issues. By maintaining a forum for direct discussion amongst industry stakeholders, the Packaging Committee is positioned to respond to political, technological, environmental, regulatory and market driven changes in wine, wine product and brandy packaging.

In order to achieve the vision for the industry, the Packaging Committee has set itself the following Terms of Reference, which have been approved by the WFA Executive Council:

To facilitate the adoption of Best Practice principles by Australian wine companies and wine packaging organisations in order to further enhance Australia's internationally competitive position.
To promote the adequate representation of wine packaging technology in wine industry education, research, conferences and publications
To monitor the development and assessment of proposed Australian and International packaging and labelling legislative changes.
To develop and promote the use of standard symbols, terms or phrases used on wine packaging where such symbols, terms or phrases are not specified in legislation ie warning or advisory statements.
To assist in the standardisation of packaging components, component specifications, terminology or standards where applicable to ensure cost, quality, performance and service benefits to the Australian wine industry.
To promote the adoption of Best Practice principles by Australian packaging material suppliers and to conduct benchmarking projects to ensure that the cost of materials are internationally competitive.
To provide input to packaging material suppliers on proposed changes that may affect the wine industry.
To provide timely and effective communication of developments related to the handling and packaging of wine to all WFA members.

What activities are we undertaking to achieve the vision?
The Packaging Committee is working on the following activities:

Release and maintenance of the WFA Wine Packaging Guidelines
Responding to proposed changes to packaging specifications by major distributors, both domestically (Coles and Woolworths) and internationally (Tesco), and encouraging cooperation between winemakers and local packaging companies to reach mutually beneficial outcomes with regards to the proposed changes
Improving the safety with which wine is packed and transported, with the aim of minimising damage to wine (including reduced quality) in transit, both within Australia and internationally
Encouraging packaging companies to achieve NATA accreditation and seeking a rewrite of the National Measurement Act

Background and other information

Generic Wine Terminology Paper - click to download
Wine Packaging Guidelines - click to download
Information Bulletin: Sparkling Wine Packaging Warnings (Retail & Trade) - click to download
Information Bulletin: HACCP, BRC Standards and GSFI- click to download
The National Environment Protection Measure on Used Packaging Material - click to download
The National Packaging Covenant - click to download
Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for the Australian Grape and Wine Industry - available for download from the Australian Wine Research Institute website
WFA Packaging Committee Members

Who's working on packaging issues?

Doug Young, Policy Director:
phone 08 8222 9255, email doug@wfa.org.au

Members are welcome to contact Doug to discuss packaging issues.