{"id":"F2017L00474","name":"Australian Consumer Law (Free Range Egg Labelling) Information Standard 2017","slug":"australian-consumer-law-free-range-egg-labelling-information-standard-2017","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":439183,"registerId":"F2017L00474-fast-fetch-1775955293764","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Australian Consumer Law (Free Range Egg Labelling) Information Standard 2017","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![](image.001.jpeg)\n\n \n\nAustralian Consumer Law (Free Range Egg Labelling) Information Standard 2017\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nI, Michael McCormack, Minister for Small Business, make the following information standard.\n\nDated 18 April 2017\n\nMichael McCormack\n\nMinister for Small Business\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n1  Name\n\n2  Commencement\n\n3  Authority\n\n4  Definitions\n\n5  Application\n\n6  Inconsistency of State and Territory laws\n\nPart 2—Free range egg labelling and display requirements\n\n7  Meaning of the term free range eggs\n\n8  Labelling requirements\n\n9  Display requirements\n\n \n\n \n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n1  Name\n\n  This instrument is the Australian Consumer Law (Free Range Egg Labelling) Information Standard 2017.\n\n2  Commencement\n\n  Each provision of this information standard specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table.  Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.\n\n- Commencement information\n- Column 1 Column 2 Column 3\n- Provisions Commencement Date/Details\n- 1. Parts 1 and 2 The day after the end of the period of 12 months beginning on the day this information standard is published by written notice on the internet.\n\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under section 134 of Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.\n\n4  Definitions\n\n  In this instrument:\n\negg means an egg laid by a hen.\n\nfree range egg has the meaning given by section 7.\n\nhen means a female domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus).\n\nlaying cycle for a group of hens means the period during which the hens are kept together, are managed in the same way and are able to lay eggs.\n\npackaging for eggs means anything that completely or partly encloses, contains or packs the eggs.\n\nstocking density for hens means the maximum number of hens per hectare that have access to an outdoor range on any day during the laying cycle.\n\n \n\n \n\n5  Application\n\n  This information standard applies to:\n\n(a) packaging labels for eggs for wholesale or retail sale; and\n\n(b) eggs that are displayed for retail sale without packaging.\n\n6  Inconsistency of State and Territory laws\n\n  This information standard is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of a law of a State or Territory that is capable of operating concurrently with the provisions of Part 2.\n\n \n\nPart 2—Free range egg labelling and display requirements\n\n7  Meaning of the term free range eggs\n\n (1) Free range eggs are eggs laid by hens that:\n\n (a) had meaningful and regular access to an outdoor range during daylight hours during the laying cycle;\n\n (b) were able to roam and forage on the outdoor range; and\n\n (c) were subject to a stocking density of 10,000 hens or less.\n\n (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), disregard occasions when hens were prevented from accessing the outdoor range because:\n\n (a) the hens were undergoing nest box training; or\n\n (b) weather conditions endangered the safety or health of the hens; or\n\n (c) the hens would have been exposed to predators; or\n\n (d) the hens were being medicated or otherwise cared for; or\n\n (e) there were exceptional circumstances that posed a significant risk to the safety or health of the hens.\n\n (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the total period of time for which access to the outdoor range was prevented must not be unreasonable.\n\n8  Labelling requirements\n\n (1) This section applies to packaging labels for eggs for wholesale or retail sale.\n\n(2) A person must not label packaging for eggs with the words ‘free range’ unless:\n\n (a) the eggs are free range eggs; and\n\n (b) the words ‘free range’ are used in relation to the eggs; and\n\n (c) the stocking density is prominently displayed on the packaging.\n\n9  Display requirements\n\n (1)  This section applies if eggs are being displayed for retail sale without packaging.\n\n (2)  A person must not represent that the eggs are free range eggs unless:\n\n (a) the eggs are free range eggs; and\n\n (b) the display has a sign containing the words ‘free range’; and\n\n (c) the sign is prominently displayed; and\n\n (d) the sign prominently displays the stocking density; and\n\n (e) subsection (3) is satisfied.\n\n (3)  If eggs other than free range eggs are being displayed at or near the display of free range eggs, the display of free range eggs must be separate from the display of other eggs, so that a person at or near the displays can reasonably distinguish between:\n\n (a) eggs to which the sign required by paragraph (2)(b) relates; and\n\n (b) the other eggs.\n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original narrow scope: regulating the use of the term 'free range' for eggs sold in Australia. It does not expand into broader animal welfare standards, production methods, or other livestock categories."},"complexity_factors":["Short document: only 9 sections across 2 Parts","Minimal defined terms: only 5 definitions in section 4 (egg, free range egg, hen, laying cycle, packaging, stocking density)","Simple conditional structure: primarily 'if X then Y' logic without nested exceptions","Limited cross-referencing: only internal references to other sections of this instrument","Straightforward prohibitions: sections 8 and 9 use simple 'must not' language with clear conditions","Single layer of exceptions: section 7(2) lists 5 specific circumstances where hens can be kept indoors, with one overarching reasonableness limit in subsection (3)"],"plain_english_summary":"This law creates a national standard for calling eggs \"free range\": hens must have regular daytime outdoor access, be able to roam and forage, and be kept at no more than 10,000 hens per hectare, with limited temporary indooring for weather, predators or treatment.  \n\nIt also mandates clear, prominent labelling (including stocking density) and display rules for packaged and loose eggs. It affects egg producers, retailers and consumers by replacing inconsistent state rules and resolving disputed density limits."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument implements a targeted information standard under the Competition and Consumer Act to specify when eggs may be described as “free range” and how that must be shown at retail and on packaging (see s 3 authority; s 5 application; s 7–9 requirements). It does not attempt to broaden or narrow the overall reach of the Australian Consumer Law; it adds sector‑specific labelling and display rules rather than changing ACL coverage."},"complexity_factors":["Numeric production threshold is precise: stocking density capped at 10,000 hens per hectare (s 7(1)(c)).","Operationally vague terms require interpretation: “meaningful and regular access” (s 7(1)(a)) and ability to “roam and forage” (s 7(1)(b)).","Permitted exceptions to outdoor access (nest box training, weather, predators, medication, exceptional circumstances) create factual enquiries and record‑keeping needs (s 7(2)).","Reasonableness standard for total prevented access is unspecified and fact‑dependent (s 7(3)).","Presentation requirements are non‑quantitative: “prominently displayed” is not defined, affecting label/sign design choices and compliance checks (s 8(2)(c); s 9(2)(b),(c),(d)).","Applies both to packaged eggs and unpackaged retail displays, increasing points of compliance across supply chain (s 5; s 8; s 9).","Interaction with State and Territory laws may require cross‑jurisdictional alignment though concurrent operation is permitted (s 6).","Commencement timing rules could create staggered implementation and transition planning (s 2)."],"plain_english_summary":"This information standard defines when eggs can be labelled or advertised as “free range” and requires packagers and retailers to display the stocking density on packaging or signs. It applies to eggs sold in packaging and to eggs displayed unpackaged, and sets a 10,000 hens-per-hectare limit plus requirements for outdoor access and for how interruptions to access are treated. It matters to egg producers, packagers and retailers because it creates mandatory labelling and display duties tied to production practices."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/australian-consumer-law-free-range-egg-labelling-information-standard-2017","history":"/api/acts/australian-consumer-law-free-range-egg-labelling-information-standard-2017/history","analysis":"/api/acts/australian-consumer-law-free-range-egg-labelling-information-standard-2017/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/australian-consumer-law-free-range-egg-labelling-information-standard-2017/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/australian-consumer-law-free-range-egg-labelling-information-standard-2017/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/australian-consumer-law-free-range-egg-labelling-information-standard-2017/documents"}}