The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code (Agvet Code), scheduled to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 and the Agricultural and Veterinary Code Regulations 1995 (Agvet Code Regulations) requires that all agricultural and veterinary chemical (agvet) products supplied to the marketplace must have a label attached to the container. In addition, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) cannot register an agvet product without also approving a label for containers for the product.
Among other things, a label must comply with the requirements of the Labelling Standard or, if there is no Labelling Standard, the Agricultural or Veterinary Labelling Codes made by the APVMA, as in force from time to time.
Label submission and approval
While all label information must comply with the relevant Labelling Standard or Code, the APVMA will only assess and formally approve the subset of label-related information identified in the E-label template (that is, the information to which the APVMA must have regard to satisfy itself that a label meets the labelling criteria and approve the label (sections 5D and 14 of the Agvet Code)). The final E-label version is defined as the ‘approved (product) label’.
Labels and label variations must be submitted electronically using the E-label template.
Please refer to the introduction to preparing a label and the label approval process for more information.
Veterinary Labelling Code
The Veterinary Labelling Code (VLC) draws together the requirements of the Agvet Code and the Agvet Code Regulations (including in relation to the relevant particulars of labels and label conditions). It also includes additional guidance developed by the APVMA to ensure labels for containers for veterinary chemical products reflect current best practice.
The VLC aims to accurately reflect legislative requirements. Labels for containers for veterinary chemical products must comply with the VLC. If the VLC is found to be inconsistent with the Agvet Code or the Agvet Code Regulations, the Agvet Code and the Agvet Code Regulations take precedence. The VLC may be revised from time to time.
Terminology
Where the term 'must' is used in the VLC, it is a legal requirement that labels comply with this provision or as determined by the APVMA.
Where the term ‘should’ is used in the VLC, the APVMA expects to see the statement(s) based on best practice and risk assessment or industry agreement.
Where the terms ‘may’ or ‘could’ are used in the VLC, it is strongly advised that this information is placed on labels, but is not compulsory.
Any variation from these words must be justified by supporting information or argument.
Any specific wording required to be included on a particular product label will be determined by the APVMA during evaluation of the application for approval of the label or variation of the approved label.
Labelling requirements and guidance
The VLC is presented below as a series of labelling requirements that cover the label content, presentation and layout of the approved and marketed labels.
Label content – veterinary products explains the general labelling information that needs to be placed on labels for veterinary chemical products and provides examples of acceptable wording for certain statements where specific statements are not mandated by the legislation. Some variations to the general labelling requirements apply to certain product classes. The specific requirements relate only to the particular product types or certain aspects of labelling identified. The content of a specific labelling requirement may extend content, or replace part of the content, contained in the general labelling requirements. All labels should otherwise comply with the general labelling requirements.
Label presentation and layout – veterinary products explains the requirements and additional guidance on how approved and marketed labels are to be structured and presented.
Additional guidance on veterinary products and/or labelling that do not form part of the VLC are presented in the left-hand navigation menu for informational purposes only.
How to use the VLC
Specific labelling requirements for individual veterinary chemical product classes can be viewed by using the dropdown menu below. Alternatively, you can view both the general and specific labelling requirements for individual product classes on the label content section of the VLC.
Headings, mandatory statements or examples of specific wording are presented in grey boxes throughout the specific labelling requirements. These statements are displayed in the font and/or formatting required for the marketed label presentation (e.g. regular or bold typeface and lower or upper case). If font and/or formatting requirements are not stated, it is encouraged the statements follow the VLC example formatting.
Label presentation boxes
Additional information about the presentation of the marketed label and layout of specific sections can be accessed by clicking the ‘Click to view label presentation’ options throughout each part of the general and specific labelling requirements. This information will be displayed in a grey box and can be collapsed by clicking the ‘Click to view label presentation’ heading.
Please refer to the label presentation and layout of veterinary chemical products for more information on the format and presentation of marketed labels.
General labelling requirements
Specific labelling requirements
In addition to the standard labelling requirements, labels on anthelmintic products for horses must also carry the following information, as applicable.
4. Statement of claims for use
All approved label claims (E-label template) must contain, as a minimum, the following statements:
[Name of product] contains [name of active ingredient], a member of the [name of the anthelmintic group] family of chemicals.
It is effective against sensitive strains of the following internal parasites: [list of scientific and common names used in Australia] including stages [example: adults/ L3 or L4/ encysted/arterial stages].
Resistance may develop to any chemical.
- Labels may also show claims that a product is effective against resistant parasites, providing you present us with convincing data to satisfy registration requirements.
- Both the common and scientific name of parasites must appear in the ‘Claims for use’ statement on the label.
- Resistance statements can be modified to align with the claims, which will be assessed during product evaluation.
Click to view label presentation
- Claims, resistance warning statements and parasite names must be provided in full on the approved label (i.e. E-label template). These can be summarised on the main panel on the marketed label and provided in full on the ancillary panel or leaflet. Please note that abbreviate claims must be included on the E-label template and will be assessed during product evaluation.
- The scientific name must either be written in italics or underlined.
- For example:
This product is effective for the treatment and control of:
Tapeworm: Anoplocephala perfoliata.
Large strongyles: Strongylus vulgaris (adults, L3 and L4 arterial larval stages), Strongylus edentatus (adults and L4 visceral larval stages), Strongylus equinus (adults), Triodontophorus spp. (adults) including T. brevicauda, T. serratus and T. tenuicollis, Craterostomum acuticaudatum (adults).
Ascarids (roundworm): Parascaris equorum (adult and immature).
- Labels on products for horses should also contain the following statements:
Ask your local veterinarian or animal health adviser for recommended parasite management practices for your area to reduce development of resistance.
It is advisable that a resistance test be conducted before any parasite treatment is used.
6.2. Contraindications
For all anthelmintic products to be used in horses, the following contraindication statement should be included:
This product should not be used in dogs or any other pets.
6.5. Dosage and administration
- Dose rates should be based on the live weight of the horse, weighed by either scales or a weigh band. Do not overdose.
- For oral drenches and oral pastes, clear instructions about applicator (for example syringes and plungers) and application method are required under this section.
For example:
Adjust syringe to the weight of the horse and insert into the side of the horse’s mouth between the front and back teeth and deposit paste towards the back of the tongue by dressing plunger.