As previously advised, the Queensland Government announced that they expanded the CDS to cover wine and spirits bottles for the first time. This will come into effect 1 November 2023.

After joint intervention with Queensland Distillers Association and Spirits & Cocktails Australia, QLD Government advised changes to the original transition date that was in the consultation draft (1 January 2025). The new transition date, by when the refund mark is to be displayed on containers, is proposed as 1 January 2027.

They have also provided additional information through the Explanatory Notes to the amendment regulation that there is no requirement for stock-in-trade to display the refund mark after 1 November 2023 as it will be compliant because of the transition period provided. This means that wine and pure spirits in glass containers can be sold into Queensland as compliant product without the need to over-sticker or change labels.

Further information for members will be published soon, with a detailed FAQ section and information from the QLD government and COEX, Container Exchange.

Please look out for further information in the news pages as well as your inbox.

(Container Exchange is appointed by the Queensland government to manage and grow Queensland’s container refund scheme – Containers for Change).