Background
[ Last Updated 17 January 2007 ]
The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA) gives effect to two mutual recognition principles relating to the sale of goods and the registration of occupations. The two basic principles are:
- a good that may be legally sold in Australia may be sold in New Zealand, and a good that may be legally sold in New Zealand may be sold in Australia. This principle operates regardless of differences in standards or other sale-related regulatory requirements between Australia and New Zealand; and
- a person registered to practise an occupation in Australia is entitled to practise an equivalent occupation in New Zealand, and vice versa, without the need for further testing or examination.
The Arrangement is implemented in New Zealand by way of overarching legislation the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (the Act) which means that all laws are subject to the Act unless specifically excluded or exempted.
It provides a simple, low cost and low maintenance mechanism for overcoming unnecessary regulatory impediments to trade in goods and the movement of skilled practitioners between Australia and New Zealand. Benefits flowing from the Arrangement include:
- lower costs to business and improved competitiveness from being able to manufacture to a single standard;
- greater choice for consumers;
- greater cooperation between regulatory authorities; and
- greater discipline on regulators contemplating the introduction of new standards, regulations and occupation registration requirements.
It does not affect laws that regulate the manner in which goods are sold or laws relating to:
- quarantine;
- endangered species;
- firearms and other prohibited or offensive weapons;
- fireworks;
- indecent material;
- ozone protection;
- agricultural and veterinary chemicals; and
- gaming machines.
It also provides for a temporary exemption mechanism giving participating jurisdictions the right to unilaterally stop the sale of goods in their jurisdiction for health, safety or environmental reasons for a period up to 12 months. In addition, the Arrangement provides for Special Exemptions from the scheme where regulatory differences could not be addressed prior to the Arrangement coming into force. Co-operation Programmes have been established in these sectors with regulatory authorities from both sides of the Tasman considering how best to overcome the existing regulatory differences.
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