The Buy Circular Directory is a resource for all consumers and provides insights into the existing market for recycled products and their circular characteristics. It covers various sectors, including infrastructure, the built environment, landscaping, parks, and gardens and more. This directory enables consumers to gain a deeper understanding of the market and utilise it as a foundation for further research and exploration.
Objectives
The objectives of this Code of Practice are to:
provide information to the suppliers represented on ‘Buy Circular Directory’ on their rights and obligations to ensure fair and consistent representation of their products.
increase consumer confidence and access in procuring recycled content containing products.
promote the benefits of purchasing products that contain recycled content.
This Code of Practice does not take precedence over statutory requirements. It is the responsibility of suppliers to ensure that the promotion of their product on the directory does not contravene any laws, including Australian Consumer Laws.
Joining as a supplier
Any business or organisation can apply to be on the directory by registering via the supplier registration form which can be found at Supplier directory login | Supplier directory. All products uploaded by the supplier on the directory must contain recycled content and meet the product compliance criteria.
SV may contact the supplier to discuss potential promotional and marketing opportunities but will not provide details of the supplier directly unless the supplier consents. However, SV will not be in a position to control, protect or stop the supplier being contacted directly by the public or such persons that are attempting to commit unscrupulous or dishonest behaviour including scammers and cybercrime events.
SV may elect to not display a product in its complete discretion. It is the obligation of the supplier to:
Ensure that information represented on the directory is accurate, and not misleading.
That the supplier has the rights to the product, including all relevant intellectual property and or distribution and selling rights.
That all products are fit for purpose and meet high standards of production, design and manufacture.
SV will take all care in producing the listing and minor edits will be made by SV in order to ensure that the product is displayed in the style and manner suitable for the directory, however it is the supplier’s responsibility to ensure that the listing is accurate and correct at all times.
That the product is legal to use and to sell in Australia.
Product compliance criteria
Criteria for listing products on ‘Buy Circular Directory’:
Products must have some amount of recycled content.
Recycled content use must be greater than 0%, but otherwise there is no minimum recycled content requirement. Please note the recycled content requirement may be increased to align with advice from federal or state entities.
Suppliers must be accurate and transparent with information concerning the recycled content and any sustainability or environmental claims and have evidence that is credible to back up all claims. For example, a third-party Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
Meet all laws including legislative and regulatory requirements.
Meet obligations regarding environmental claims under the ACCC Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
Any claims must meet the ACCC Green marketing and the Australian Consumer Law guidelines.
Change of production process, feedstock, or sourcing inputs
Where there is a change to a production process or the source of inputs so that a good listed on a supplier’s product list no longer meets the compliance criteria, the supplier must notify Sustainability Victoria immediately and cease promoting their product on the directory by removing the listing.
Removal of product/supplier
Sustainability Victoria may at any time without notice remove a product from a suppliers list. Reasons for removal may include:
the product does not meet the product compliance criteria
the product or supplier is likely to bring the directory or SV into disrepute
that the supplier has included information that is not correct
In such cases, a supplier may request a review of the decision and SV and the supplier will carry out such review in good faith.
By submitting your product for representation on the directory, you warrant that all information is accurate and not misleading and that your product meets the above product compliance criteria.
Disclaimer
The supplier acknowledges and confirms that SV are not liable for the product in any manner whatsoever and the supplier is responsible for the product and any claims in connection by the product to the fullest extent of the law. SV does not warrant any sales traffic or volume through advertising on the directory. The directory is a free to use resource for suppliers and consumers.
While the directory remains on SV’s website, it is up to the supplier to maintain the accuracy of the listing. SV will not be administering any listing and relies on the supplier in this regard.