A trade description is any information that is included on your dairy product
for export in either words or diagrams.
The intent of this element
is to include all relevant information about the Australian dairy product
pertinent to export.
It will inform importing country customers and consumers
about the product, the manufacturer details, ingredients,
nutritional information, claims, batch identity, quantity,
directions for use, storage and other relevant information.
There is specific information required to be included in the trade description
and is further detailed in the Export Control Rules 2021 for milk and milk products.
As a minimum, your trade description should contain
a description of the milk product,
the net weight and or volume,
the establishment registration number,
where goods were last prepared and packed into the immediate container,
the name and address of the occupier of the registered establishment
where the dairy product was packed into its immediate container
or, the name and address of the exporter or consignee.
A list of ingredients from largest to smallest proportion as per food standards code.
Identity and or batch code.
Directions for use or storage.
The Country of origin statement.
Any claims made must be validated with supporting documentation.
Food Standards has detailed information on a range of labelling topics which may be helpful to you.
Particular information may be required to be included in trade descriptions by importing countries.
For example, your importing country
may require statements such as halal or kosher compliant
to be present on labelling.
Also, specific importing countries may require weights or volumes to be in imperial measurements.
If you decide to have both inner and outer packaging,
the information presented must be consistent for all packaging formats and not be conflicting.
Outer packaging as a minimum needs all the requirements of inner packaging
except for the list of ingredients and the name and address of occupier, exporter or consignee.
Particular products may have very specific trade description requirements,
such as bulk product,
product not for retail sale or manufacturing grade product
which requires further processing prior to consumption.
Your trade descriptions and product labels should be consistent with other records
such as the relevant transfer document and export permit.
Your product's labelling must be accurate and not confusing,
securely attached, legible, prominent and not obscured
and tamper evident as much as possible and practical.
It's important that all your dairy products that are export eligible
have trade descriptions that have been assessed as meeting requirements
for each country that the product is exported to.
This process should be described in your approved arrangement.
Meeting the trade description requirements
will ensure your products gain entry into the importing country
and they can be identified, traced and recalled effectively and efficiently if needed.