Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

GREENHOUSE AND ENERGY MINIMUM STANDARDS ACT 2012 - NOTES

No. 132, 2012

Compilation No. 7

Compilation date: 14 October 2024

Includes amendments: Act No. 39, 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 14 October 2024 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Part 1--Preliminary

Division 1--Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

Division 2--Guide to this Act

3 Guide to this Act

Division 3--Objects of this Act

4 Objects of this Act

Division 4--The Dictionary and other interpretive provisions

5 The Dictionary

6 Contravening an offence provision or a civil penalty provision

Division 5--Application of this Act

7 Act binds Crown

7A Constitutional application of this Act

8 Extension to external Territories

9 Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws

Part 2--Key concepts

Division 1--Guide to this Part

10 Guide to this Part

Division 2--Key concepts

11 GEMS products, GEMS determinations and product classes

12 Models of GEMS products to be registered in relation to product classes

13 Models to be registered against GEMS determinations

14 Supplying and offering to supply GEMS products

Part 3--Requirements for suppliers and commercial users of GEMS products

Division 1--Guide to this Part

15 Guide to this Part

Division 2--Supplying GEMS products

16 Supplying GEMS products--complying with GEMS determinations

17 Supplying GEMS products--model not registered

Division 3--Using GEMS products for commercial purposes

18 Using GEMS products for commercial purposes--complying with GEMS determinations

19 Using GEMS products for commercial purposes--model not registered

20 Exempt uses of GEMS products

Part 4--GEMS determinations

Division 1--Guide to this Part

22 Guide to this Part

Division 2--Making GEMS determinations

23 Minister may make GEMS determinations

24 GEMS requirements--general

25 GEMS requirements--GEMS level requirements

26 GEMS requirements--GEMS labelling requirements

27 GEMS requirements--other requirements

27A GEMS requirements--deemed compliance

28 GEMS determinations--families of models

29 GEMS determinations--category A and category B products

30 GEMS determinations--models exempt from registration

31 GEMS determinations--limited grandfathering period

32 GEMS determinations--not to give preference

33 GEMS determinations--consent of participating jurisdictions

34 GEMS determinations--when a GEMS determination comes into force

34A GEMS determinations--incorporation etc. of material as in force or existing from time to time

Division 3--Replacing GEMS determinations

35 Replacing GEMS determinations

36 Whether registrations affected by replacement determination

Division 4--Exempting models from requirements of GEMS determinations

37 Exempting models from requirements of GEMS determinations

Part 5--Registering models of GEMS products

Division 1--Guide to this Part

38 Guide to this Part

Division 2--GEMS Register

39 Establishment of GEMS Register

40 Information to be entered in GEMS Register

Division 3--Registering models of GEMS products

41 Registration on application

42 Application requirements--contact persons and contact details

43 Registration by the GEMS Regulator

44 Relevant GEMS determination with which model must comply

45 Conditions

Division 4--Varying registrations

46 Varying registration to cover additional models

47 Varying registration to change registrant

Division 5--When is a registration in force

48 When is a registration in force

Division 6--Suspending and cancelling registrations

Subdivision A--Suspending registrations

49 Suspending a model's registration

50 Effect of suspension

51 When is a suspension in force

52 Conditions on suspension

53 GEMS Regulator may vary suspension notice

Subdivision B--Cancelling registrations

54 Cancelling a model's registration

Division 7--Requirements for registrants

Subdivision A--Notifying GEMS Regulator of changes

55 Requirement for registrant to notify GEMS Regulator of changes

Subdivision B--Giving information relating to import, manufacture etc. of products

56 Requirement for registrant to give information relating to import, manufacture etc. of products

Subdivision C--Giving product of registered model to GEMS Regulator

57 Requirement for registrant to give product--determining whether model complies with GEMS determination

58 Requirement for registrant to give product--retention and return of product

59 Requirement for registrant to give product--issuing officer may permit product to be retained

60 Requirement for registrant to give product--disposal of product

Subdivision D--Testing products or cancelling registration

61 Requirement for registrant--testing products or cancelling registration

Subdivision E--Notifying other persons of suspension or cancellation of registration

62 Requirement for registrant to notify other persons of suspension or cancellation of registration

Division 8--Miscellaneous

63 Requirements for determining whether model complies with GEMS determination

64 Applications--basic requirements

65 Applications--GEMS Regulator may request further information

66 Grounds for refusing an application

67 Notice of decisions

68 Notice given to contact person taken to be given to applicant or registrant

Part 6--The GEMS Regulator

Division 1--Guide to this Part

69 Guide to this Part

Division 2--Who is the GEMS Regulator

70 The GEMS Regulator

Division 3--Functions of GEMS Regulator under this Act

71 Functions of the GEMS Regulator under this Act

Division 4--Conferral of functions etc. on GEMS Regulator by State and Territory laws

72 Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on GEMS Regulator by State and Territory laws

73 How duty is imposed on GEMS Regulator by State and Territory laws

74 When State and Territory laws impose a duty on GEMS Regulator

Division 5--General provisions relating to GEMS Regulator

75 Powers of the GEMS Regulator

76 GEMS Regulator has privileges and immunities of the Crown

77 GEMS Regulator may charge for services

78 Arrangements with other agencies

79 Consultants

80 Delegation

Part 7--Monitoring and investigation

Division 1--Guide to this Part

81 Guide to this Part

Division 2--GEMS inspectors

82 Appointment of GEMS inspectors

83 GEMS Regulator is an inspector

Division 3--Inspecting public areas of GEMS business premises

86 Inspection powers in public areas of GEMS business premises

Division 4--Monitoring

87 Monitoring powers

Division 5--Investigation

88 Investigation powers

Division 7--Giving GEMS information to GEMS inspectors

122 Meaning of person who has GEMS information

123 GEMS Regulator may require a person to provide information

124 GEMS Regulator may require a person to appear before a GEMS inspector

Division 8--Testing compliance of GEMS products

125 Authorising persons to test GEMS products

126 Testing GEMS products etc.

Part 8--Enforcement

Division 1--Guide to this Part

128 Guide to this Part

Division 2--Civil penalties

129 Civil penalty provisions

Division 3--Infringement notices

130 Infringement notices

Division 4--Enforceable undertakings

131 Enforceable undertakings

Division 5--Injunctions

132 Injunctions

Division 6--Publicising offences, contraventions and adverse decisions

162 GEMS Regulator may publicise certain offences, contraventions and adverse decisions

Part 9--Reviewing decisions

Division 1--Guide to this Part

163 Guide to this Part

Division 2--Reviewing decisions

164 Persons affected by reviewable decisions

165 Notification of decisions and review rights

166 Internal review

167 Review of decisions by Administrative Review Tribunal

Part 10--Protecting information

Division 1--Guide to this Part

168 Guide to this Part

Division 2--Protecting information

169 Offence--Disclosing commercially sensitive information

170 Authorised disclosures

171 Disclosing commercially sensitive information to courts and tribunals etc.

Part 11--Miscellaneous

Division 1--Guide to this Part

172 Guide to this Part

Division 2--Miscellaneous

173 Recovery of fees

174 Compensation for acquisition of property

175 Annual report

176 Review of operation of this Act

177 Regulations

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Abbreviation key--Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and "(md not incorp)" is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted	o = order(s)
am = amended	Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment	orig = original
c = clause(s)	par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x	/sub-subparagraph(s)
Ch = Chapter(s)	pres = present
def = definition(s)	prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary	(prev ... ) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament	Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s)	r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change	reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have	renum = renumbered
effect	rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation	rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette	s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003	Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003	Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given	SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect	SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment	Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect	SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification	underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s)	commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3--Legislation history

 

Act	Number and year	Assent	Commencement	Application, saving and transitional provisions
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012	132, 2012	21 Sept 2012	s 3-16, 18-177: 1 Oct 2012 (s 2(1) items 2, 4) s 17: 1 Oct 2013 (s 2(1) item 3) Remainder: Royal Assent (s 2(1) item 1)
Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013	13, 2013	14 Mar 2013	Sch 1 (items 319, 320): 12 Apr 2013 (s 2(1))	Sch 1 (item 320)
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2014	31, 2014	27 May 2014	Sch 4 (items 95, 96) and Sch 8 (item 17): 24 June 2014 (s 2(1) item 9)	--
Regulatory Powers (Standardisation Reform) Act 2017	124, 2017	6 Nov 2017	Sch 7: 6 Nov 2018 (s 2(1) item 3)	Sch 7 (items 48-59)
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2021	13, 2021	1 Mar 2021	Sch 2 (items 454, 455): 1 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 5)	--
Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Act 2022	38, 2022	13 Sept 2022	Sch 1 (items 35-40): 14 Sept 2022 (s 2(1) item 1)	--
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Amendment (Administrative Changes) Act 2023	77, 2023	20 Sept 2023	21 Sept 2023 (s 2(1) item 1)	Sch 1 (item 39)
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 2) Act 2024	39, 2024	31 May 2024	Sch 15 (items 13-15, 31): 14 Oct 2024 (s 2(1) item 2)	--

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected	How affected
Part 1
Division 2
s 3.....................		am No 124, 2017; No 38, 2022; No 39, 2024
Division 3
s 4.....................		am No 38, 2022; No 77, 2023
Division 4
s 5.....................		am No 13, 2013; No 31, 2014; No 124, 2017; No 13, 2021; No 38, 2022
s 6.....................		rs No 124, 2017
Division 5
s 7.....................		am No 124, 2017
s 7A....................		ad No 38, 2022
Part 2
Division 2
s 11....................		am No 77, 2023
s 12....................		am No 31, 2014
Part 3
Division 1
s 15....................		am No 38, 2022; No 77, 2023
Division 2
s 16....................		am No 124, 2017
s 17....................		am No 124, 2017; No 77, 2023
Division 3
s 18....................		am No 124, 2017
s 19....................		am No 124, 2017; No 77, 2023
Division 4................		rep No 38, 2022
s 21....................		rep No 38, 2022
Part 4
Division 1
s 22....................		am No 77, 2023
Division 2
s 26....................		am No 77, 2023
s 27....................		am No 77, 2023
s 27A...................		ad No 77, 2023
s 34A...................		ad No 77, 2023
Division 4
s 37....................		am No 77, 2023
Part 5
Division 2
s 39....................		am No 77, 2023
s 40....................		am No 31, 2014; No 77, 2023
Division 3
s 43....................		am No 77, 2023
Division 4
s 46....................		am No 77, 2023
s 47....................		am No 77, 2023
Division 6
Subdivision A
s 49....................		am No 77, 2023
s 53....................		am No 77, 2023
Subdivision B
s 54....................		am No 77, 2023
Division 7
Subdivision A
s 55....................		am No 124, 2017
Subdivision C
s 59....................		am No 124, 2017
Subdivision E
s 62....................		am No 124, 2017
Division 8
s 64....................		am No 77, 2023
s 66....................		am No 77, 2023
Part 6
Division 1
s 69....................		am No 77, 2023
Division 2
s 70....................		am No 77, 2023
Division 5
s 76....................		am No 77, 2023
s 77....................		am No 77, 2023
s 78....................		am No 77, 2023
s 80....................		am No 77, 2023
Part 7
Division 1
s 81....................		am No 124, 2017
Division 2
s 84....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 85....................		rep No 124, 2017
Division 3
s 86....................		am No 124, 2017
Division 4
Division 4................		rs No 124, 2017
s 87....................		rs No 124, 2017
		am No 77, 2023
Division 5
Division 5................		rs No 124, 2017
s 88....................		rs No 124, 2017
		am No 77, 2023
s 89....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 90....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 91....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 92....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 93....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 94....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 95....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 96....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 97....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 98....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 99....................		rep No 124, 2017
s 100...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 101...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 102...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 103...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 104...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 105...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 106...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 107...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 108...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 109...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 110...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 111...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 112...................		rep No 124, 2017
Division 6................		rep No 124, 2017
s 113...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 114...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 115...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 116...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 117...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 118...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 119...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 120...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 121...................		rep No 124, 2017
Division 8
s 126...................		am No 124, 2017
Division 9................		rep No 124, 2017
s 127...................		rep No 124, 2017
Part 8
Division 1
s 128...................		am No 124, 2017
Division 2
Division 2................		rs No 124, 2017
s 129...................		rs No 124, 2017
Division 3
Division 3................		rs No 124, 2017
s 130...................		rs No 124, 2017
		am No 77, 2023
Division 4
Division 4................		rs No 124, 2017
s 131...................		rs No 124, 2017
Division 5
Division 5................		rs No 124, 2017
s 132...................		rs No 124, 2017
s 133...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 134...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 135...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 136...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 137...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 138...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 139...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 140...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 141...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 142...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 143...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 144...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 145...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 146...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 147...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 148...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 149...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 150...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 151...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 152...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 153...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 154...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 155...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 156...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 157...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 158...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 159...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 160...................		rep No 124, 2017
s 161...................		rep No 124, 2017
Division 6
s 162...................		am No 124, 2017; No 77, 2023
Part 9
Division 1
s 163...................		am No 39, 2024
Division 2
s 167...................		am No 39, 2024