Supply Chain, Distribution and Sustainability
For consumer and retail businesses, supply and distribution models underpin how products reach market. These may include traditional manufacturing and distribution networks, as well as digital marketplace ecosystems and third party seller platforms. Import structures, distribution networks and logistics platforms must be commercially efficient, scalable and aligned with evolving regulatory and stakeholder expectations.
In competitive markets, supply chain design influences margin, speed to market and brand resilience. It is also subject to increasing scrutiny around sourcing practices, sustainability disclosures and trade compliance.
We advise retailers, FMCG manufacturers, digital platforms, marketplaces and consumer brands across the full lifecycle of supply and distribution frameworks, combining commercial structuring capability with regulatory and governance insight.
Our experience includes:
Structuring manufacturing, sourcing and exclusive distribution arrangements
Designing and governing multi-tier supply and logistics networks
Cross-border trade, import/export and customs compliance
Governance of third-party seller networks and marketplace distribution models
Supplier contracting and risk allocation frameworks
Sustainability reporting including the mandatory climate related financial disclosure regime and voluntary reporting on nature, water, waste minimisation and recycling
Product stewardship and end-of-life obligations
Modern slavery and ethical sourcing
Drafting and negotiating sustainability clauses in supplier contracts
Managing regulatory scrutiny relating to supply chain practices
Supplier disputes and distribution termination issues
We help organisations embed governance structures that anticipate regulatory developments and protect long-term brand trust.
Experience
Global hyperscale IT, retail, logistics, aviation and food manufacturers
Advising on compliance with Australia's new mandatory sustainability reporting regime including governance uplift and Board training, directors duties, ASIC relief, risk strategy and climate scenario analysis, disclaimers, verification packs, assurance, legal compliance reviews greenwashing risk and interpretation of the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards.
Timber importers
Advising timber importers on amendments to the Australian illegal logging import regulations, involving assessment of supply chain compliance obligations and development of updated data management systems response strategy to address regulatory scrutiny relating to sourcing and supply chain practices.
The Blackwood Dairy Project
Advising on the environmental and planning approvals for a future-focused, sustainable dairy farming venture incorporating free-stall barns, self-sufficient fodder production and an anaerobic biodigester system to convert dairy waste into energy — involving novel product stewardship, waste-to-energy and sustainability considerations within a complex regulatory framework.
Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation
Advising on the feasibility of a new packaging co-regulatory scheme under federal Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2021 (Cth) (RAWR Act).
Various retail, telecommunications and pharmaceutical companies
Advising on new product stewardship regulatory schemes, battery recycling schemes and the development of product specific takeback schemes and recycling innovation and pilot programs.
Multiple energy, irrigation product, workwear and luggage companies on retail good importers
Advising in relation to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in imported product bans, including assessing the regulatory impact on product supply chains and advising on compliance with emerging restrictions on chemicals in imported goods.
Pharmacare, Hyperscale IT
Advised on its modern slavery response, including reviewing its modern slavery reporting statement, training its key personnel in modern slavery risk management and response, preparing a supplier code of conduct and model contractual clauses, and key performance indicators.
Various Pharmaceutical Entities
Advising various pharmaceutical entities on complex structuring, exclusive distribution and reseller arrangements to ensure competition law compliance. This includes assessing regulatory risks associated with multi-party supply and distribution agreements.
Goertz
Undertook a federal and state legislative and policy review of requirements for waste management and resource recovery of batteries and batteries storage modules as well as consideration of any disposal, take-back or recycling schemes on behalf of a German company importing lithium battery modules to Australia.
