31st March 2025

The Australian Music Association has joined the Australian Packaging Convenant Organisation (APCO), the not-for-profit co-regulatory organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia.

APCO is the entity in charge of managing and administering the Australian Packaging Covenant (the Covenant), which is a national regulatory framework under the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011 (NEPM). This framework defines the collective responsibility shared by governments and businesses across Australia in managing the environmental impact of packaging. This pivotal role bridges industry participants along the packaging supply chain with Commonwealth, state, and territory governments, endorsed by environment ministers.

The move was prompted by the substantial changes to packaging regulations coming from Western Australia, and the need to stay informed and involved in this process.

The AMA is the first music industry organisation to join APCO, and joins other industry associations including the Australian Toy Association, Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association, National Retail Association, Ai Group, Meat & Livestock Australia, and others representing their industries and supporting the objectives of APCO to reduce the environmental impact of packaging.

Should AMA members join? 

The Australian Packaging Covenant (the Covenant) applies to all businesses in the packaging supply chain (with a turnover greater than $5 million), including those selling packaging or packaged products to other businesses or individuals.

To meet the National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Material) Measure 2011 (NEPM), Brand Owners have an option of two pathways to meet their regulatory obligations under this measure:

• • Become a Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant (the Covenant) and a Brand Owner Member of APCO; or
  • Meet compliance obligations under the NEPM, by reporting to the various states and territories in which the organisation sells its products.

Brand Owner Membership provides organisations with a supported and guided pathway to comply with obligations under the Covenant, and in turn meet requirements under the NEPM.

Assess your liability | Read more about APCO Brand Owner Membership | Read more about the alternative reporting option