The code aims to provide security and confidence to consumers and investors in Australia and overseas by providing certification that Australian olive products meet high industry standards.

To be certified by the code, products must be Australian and undergo taste and chemical testings.

President of the AOA Paul Miller said the code for the olive industry is a world first and helps differentiate the Australian industry and its products from those from other copuntries.

“Australian consumers will finally be able to confidently buy extra virgin olive oil knowing that it really is extra virgin," Mr Miller said.

"They will have a clear choice based on quality and trust – Australian extra virgin olive oil which is backed by the Australian industry Code of Practice or imported olive oil of questionable origin and quality."

Consumers will be able to identify certified products thanks to the official Certified Australian Extra Virgin logo to be used on labels of approved products.

The labels should start appearing on products in the next few months.

Miller said the Association started planning the Code of Practice in 2004 as a response to imported products of poor quality.

“In 2004, we found imported oil which did not comply with its label," he said.

"The government was not prepared to assist with this issue until the industry had a code of practice with its own approved industry standards.

“In addition, the Australian olive industry has a good reputation for high quality extra virgin olive oil and we wanted to capture and enhance that reputation by adopting a Code that underpinned quality production.

“The Code of Practice is received very positively by the industry as well as by food retailers,” he added.

In conjunction with the code, the Association is undertaking a Consumer Education and Awareness (CEA) campaign to promote the superior quality of Australian olive products backed by the code.

The association is also doing marketplace surveillance of olive oils.