The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted authorization to the Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation (APMF) to conduct a waste paint collection trial over a 12 month period throughout Victoria.

 

The trial is to be funded by a 2 cent per litre levy on the wholesale of Architectural and Decorative (A&D) paint in Australia, of which the APMF is the main supplier of in Australia.

 

If the trial is successful, the APMF plans to roll-out a national scheme to other States and Territories on a progressive basis. 

 

“The ACCC considers that the imposition of a uniform levy on the wholesale price of paint by the participating manufacturers is unlikely to significantly impact competition at either the wholesale or retail levels.” acting ACCC chairman Michael Schaper said.

 

The trial will operate from 1 July 2011 to 1 July 2012. Authorisation has been granted until 1 December 2012 to allow for a transition from the Victorian trial to an expanded national scheme if the trial is successful. The APMF will seek a separate authorisation for the expanded scheme, if required.