The New Zealand Food and Grocery Council (NZFGC) welcomes the government's launch of the Grocery Supply Code of Conduct.
It comes into effect on September 28.
The final version confirms the prohibition of abuse of power by supermarkets over suppliers,
the stipulation that the supermarket duopoly must pay on time and treat suppliers fairly,
penalties include over three percent of turnover or $3 million for breaches of the Code.
Chief Executive Raewyn Bleakley said the NZFGC would be examining the code in detail in the coming days before it becomes effective later this month.
"The Code is a long-awaited step that will go a long way to creating the environment needed for a better and fairer grocery sector to give suppliers more confidence and help deliver consumers better options," said Bleakley.
The NZFGC thanked Minister Webb and MBIE officials for further consulting the industry to refine the draft Code and getting it before the Cabinet in tight timeframes.
"NZFGC will now work on final touches to a suite of training options for our members we have been working on with NextGen Group, with support from Matthews Law."
That training will help members know what the Code allows and prohibits. It will also highlight the avenues available for suppliers to raise concerns. They will involve active participation, case studies, debate, and questions in open and in-house workshops and self-paced digital learning.
"NZFGC will also offer a series of webinars to advise members on preparing for when the Code kicks in."
