The Office of Regulatory Services is responsible for compliance with egg labelling requirements within the A.C.T.

• What is the law about egg labelling?
• What do the different labels mean?
• What happens if I do not comply?

What is the law about egg labelling?

Where eggs are displayed for sale certain requirements exist as to how they must be displayed.  The requirements are to clearly identify how the hens are housed.

What do the different labels mean?

There are three categories  of labelling requirements where the eggs are from:

• caged hens;
• barn hens; and,
• free-range hens.

Where eggs are from caged hens a sign must be placed near the eggs that reads:

'These are caged eggs.  Birds are continuosly housed in cages within a shed.'

The sign must be printed in a colour that contrasts with the background of the sign, and the typeface cannot be less than Ariel bold 50 point.  These eggs must be separated from other eggs for sale.  If the total length of shelving for all eggs is more than 2 metres, then the shelving containg the caged hen eggs must be marked with a red border.

Where the eggs are from barn hens a sign must be placed near the eggs that reads:

'These are barn eggs.  Birds in barn systems are free to roam within a shed which may have more than 1 level.  The floor may be based on litter and/or other material such as slats or wire mesh.'

The sign must be printed in a colour that contrasts with the background of the sign, and the typeface cannot be anything less than Ariel bold 50 point.  These eggs must be separated from other eggs for sale.

Where the eggs are from free-range hens a sign must be placed near the eggs that reads:

'These are free-range eggs.  Birds in free-range systems are housed in sheds and have access to an outdoor range.'

The sign must be printed in a colour that contrasts with the background of the sign, and the typeface cannot be any less than Ariel bold 50 point.  These eggs must be separated from other eggs for sale.

What happens if I do not comply?

Penalties exist for people that sell hen eggs and do not comply with the egg labelling requirements.  These penalties may include fines and/or imprisonment.