The legal framework for the regulation of the introduction (importation and manufacture) of industrial chemicals in Australia is the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 (IC Act). It came into force on 12 March 2019 and establishes the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) and its Executive Director. The IC Act is supported by the Industrial Chemicals (General) Rules and the Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines, which set out technical and operational details of the AICIS and the requirements introducers need to meet to categorise their chemicals if they are not already listed on the AIIC. The IC Act regulates the importation and manufacture of industrial chemicals in Australia.
The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) under the Office of Chemical Safety (OCS) within the Department of Health and Aged Care, is the authority which regulates the importation and manufacture (known as introduction in Australia) of industrial chemicals. The AICIS came into force on 1 July 2020, replacing the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS). The objective of the AICIS is to protect human health and the environment through restriction, regulation, assessment, evaluation, and by managing risks arising from the introduction of industrial chemicals. The AICIS regulates chemicals (including polymers) introduced to Australia, such as chemicals in inks, paints, adhesives, cosmetics, soaps, and solvents.
In Australia, chemicals are regulated under both state/territory and national laws. At the national level, chemicals are regulated according to their use. There are 4 main regulatory authorities for chemicals, each focusing on a specific sector:
The chemical inventory in Australia is the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (AIIC) under the Australian Industrial Chemical Introduction Scheme (AICIS). The AIIC has been in place from 1 July 2020 when it replaced the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS).
The AIIC is a searchable database that contains around 40,000 chemicals that are being introduced (i.e. manufactured or imported) into Australia for industrial use. The inventory is divided into two parts, a public inventory, and a confidential inventory. This means that a chemical may be in the inventory but will not be searchable because the CAS name and CAS number are protected as confidential business information (CBI). If this is the case the AICIS can confirm whether the chemical is confidentially listed. Confidentially listed chemicals are still available for introduction.
The AIIC includes all industrial chemicals in use in Australia between 1 January 1977 and 28 February 1990. In addition, it includes new assessed chemicals. During the transition from the AICS to AIIC a number of non-industrial chemicals were removed from the inventory.
In September 2021 the AICIS published an Evaluations Roadmap that outlines their approach to ensure that the introduction of chemicals to Australia is supported by contemporary information and recommendations about managing potential risks associated with their use. The target is to evaluate at least 20% of the chemicals in the AIIC for which current risk assessment is not available by 30 June 2024. So far, the AICIS has held consultations on approximately 1700 chemicals of the 4200 they expect to assess by 2024.
Chemicals listed in the AIIC inventory can be introduced to Australia provided the
terms of the listing are complied with. If a chemical is not already in the inventory it will have to be categorised based on the risk to human health and the environment before it can be introduced into Australia. The result of the process will assign the chemical to one of the following categories:
Exempted introduction: Very low-risk introductions. Introducers must submit a one-off declaration after the chemical has been introduced.
Reported introduction: Low-risk introductions. Introducers must submit a one-off declaration before the chemical can been introduced.
Assessed introduction: Medium to high-risk introductions. The AICIS will carry out a risk assessment and the introducer must obtain an Assessment Certificate before the chemical can be introduced.
Only chemicals categorised as assessed introductions will be included in the AIIC when the risk assessment is complete.
The AICIS defines industrial chemicals by exclusion of categories covered by other regulations or by exemption. This means that an industrial chemical is any chemical that is not:
A naturally occurring chemical (i.e. an unprocessed chemical occurring in a natural environment or a chemical occurring in a natural environment that is extracted without chemical change).
An agricultural chemical product (e.g. household gardening products, pesticides (including household products such as personal insect repellents, insect sprays, and weed killers), and pool sanitising chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite, sodium bromide and algaecides) as defined by the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code (AgVet Code).
A veterinary chemical product (e.g. veterinary medicine, pet food, and livestock feed) as defined by the AgVet Code.
A substance or mixture of substances prepared by a pharmacist or veterinary surgeon, or in the preparation of these – as defined by the AgVet Code.
A therapeutic good (e.g. medicines (including prescription, over-the-counter, and alternative medicines as well as sunscreen products, and sterilants/disinfectants) – as defined by the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
Food for humans and food additives.
Under the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 (IC Act), an introduction means the importation or manufacture of an industrial chemical in Australia. The term used for importers or manufacturers of industrial chemicals is introducers. The IC Act includes a requirement that makes introducers responsible for categorising their introductions themselves based on the criteria given by the AICIS. The categorisation process requires the introducers to consider both hazard and exposure. The hazard of a chemical is an intrinsic property that cannot be changed. The factors affecting exposure relate to how the introduced chemical is intended to be used or the circumstances of the introduction.
Non-Australian introducers must register their business and apply for an Australian Registered Business Number (ARBN). If an overseas company is unable to obtain an ARBN, it can appoint an Australian Agent or distributor as its Authorised Representative (AR) to meet the compliance requirements. In that case the Australian agent will be the introducer and the overseas company will be termed as Chemical Data Provider.
The AICIS uses legislated and non-legislated options for promoting compliance and addressing non-compliance with the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 (IC Act). These options range from providing information so that regulated entities understand their time frames, processes and how they need to meet their obligations under the IC Act. This includes emphasising the cost of not meeting obligations such as the various sanctions available to punish serious non-compliance.
Prior to introducing industrial chemicals or products that contain industrial chemicals into Australia the company must be registered with the AICIS and obtain an Australian Registered Business Number (ARBN) which is issued by the Australian Business Register (ABR).
The chemical substance that is going to be introduced must then be categorised into one of the following 5 introduction categories: Listed, Exempted, Reported, Assessed, or Commercial Evaluation. There is a sixth category (Exceptional Circumstances Introductions) which allows the Federal Minister of Health to authorize the introduction of a chemical because it is in the public interest and is needed to manage significant human health or environmental risks.
Categorisation procedure of chemicals before introduction under the AICIS
To begin with the introducer must check if the chemical substance is already listed on the Inventory by searching the AIIC. If the chemical is listed, then it is already available for industrial use in Australia. There is no fee for listed introductions. Listed chemicals fall within 4 different categories:
Listed without requirements, conditions or ‘defined scope of assessment’: Companies registered with the AICIS can introduce the chemical as listed introduction without informing the AICIS, but records should be kept for 5 years, and an Annual Declaration must be submitted every year.
Listed with a specific information requirement: The chemical can be introduced as a listed introduction as above but in certain circumstances information about the introduction has to be submitted to the AICIS.
Listed with a condition of introduction or use (restriction on volume of introduction or where the chemical is permitted to be introduced or used): If the introduction meets the conditions of use it can be introduced as a listed introduction as above. If the introduction does not meet the conditions of use, an application to vary the terms of the Inventory Listing is needed.
Listed with a defined scope of assessment (describes the parameters of previous assessments such as how the chemical is use, volume/quantity and concentration in products): If the introduction is within the parameters of the defined scope of assessment, it can be introduced as a listed introduction as above. If the introduction is outside the parameters, the introducer must either change introduction category or apply to change the parameters of the defined scope of assessment.
If the introduction is not in the listed category, it must be authorised under one of the other four introduction categories.
Exempted Introduction
An exempted introduction means that the introduction is considered very low risk to both human health and the environment. The following groups are exempted:
Chemicals that are imported and subsequently exported.
Chemicals that are only use for research and development.
Chemicals resulting from non-functionalised surface treatment of listed chemicals.
Polymers of low concern (PLC)
Low-concern biological polymers
Polymers that are comparable to listed polymers.
Chemicals that are comparable to listed chemicals.
Exempted chemicals will not be listed in the AIIC. If the chemical meets the criteria and the company is registered with the AICIS, the chemical can be introduced without notification. Records must be kept, and an Annual Declaration must be submitted at the end of each registration year. For some exempted introductions a Post-Introduction Declaration (PID) is required the first time the chemical is introduced. There is no fee for exempted introductions.
Reported Introduction
A reported introduction means that the chemical is considered low risk to human health and the environment. The chemical will not be listed in the AIIC. The introducing company must be registered with the AICIS and must submit a Pre-Introduction Report (PIR) before the first introduction. Records must be kept, and an Annual Declaration must be submitted at the end of each registration year. There is no fee for neither the submission of the Pre-Introduction Report nor the introduction itself.
Assessed Introduction
An assessed introduction means that the chemical is considered medium to high risk for human health and the environment. The introduction must be assessed, and an Assessment Certificate must be issued by the AICIS before the introduction can take place. Records must be kept, and an Annual Declaration must be submitted at the end of each registration year. There is an application fee for the Assessment Certificate. The chemical will be added to the AIIC 5 years after the Assessment Certificate was issued or earlier if the introducer applies for early listing. During the 5 years the chemical can only be introduced by the certificate holder(s).
Commercial Evaluation Authorisation
If a company wants to test the commercial potential of an industrial chemical in Australia, it can apply for a Commercial Evaluation Authorisation (CEA). A CEA is valid for up to 4 years and authorises the introduction of a maximum volume of 10 tonnes over the 4 years. Records must be kept, and an Annual Declaration must be submitted at the end of each registration year. There is an application fee for the Commercial Evaluation Authorisation.
All introducers of chemicals into Australia must, regardless of introduction category, submit an Annual Declaration that confirms that the introduction complies with the AICIS rules. The declaration must be submitted by 30 November for the period 1 July to 31 August of the previous registration year. The declaration should include the registration number for the introducer, the introduction categories for the chemicals introduced, and a declaration that all introductions during the registration year were authorised under the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019.
The Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 imposes an annual registration fee of 75 AU$ on all introducers of industrial chemicals. Furthermore, the IC Act imposes an annual registration charge that varies according to the value of the chemicals introduced by the company in the previous financial year (1 July - 30 June). There are 8 levels of registration charges varying from 0 AU$ to 36,700 AU$ (approximately US$ 24,600). New registrants are regarded as Level 1 and only pay the fee. Besides the registration fee and charge the AICIS also imposes fees on applications for certificates and authorisations.
Fee Type |
Charge (AU$/US$) |
Application to search for confidentially listed chemicals on the Inventory |
0 |
Submission of the Annual Declaration |
0 |
Application for listing on the inventory before 5 years |
1,490 / 1,000 |
Application for variation of listing |
4,735 / 3,185 |
Application for a certificate – very low to low risk |
7,435 / 5,000 |
Application for a certificate – health focus or environment focus |
23,375 / 15,720 |
Application for a certificate – health and environment focus |
34,965 / 23,520 |
Application for Commercial Evaluation Authorization |
6,490 / 4,365 |
The AICIS monitors introducer compliance across all introduction categories aiming to protect human health and the environment without imposing unnecessary burden on regulated entities. The monitoring activities are based on risks and focus on introductions that pose a higher risk to human health and the environment as well as introducers at higher risk of non-compliance. All instances of non-compliance identified by the AICIS will be addressed as a violation of the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019.
The penalty for non-compliance depends on the severity of the case. For severe cases the penalty ranges from injunctions and infringement notices to civil penalties that may exceed AU$ 500,000 (approximately US$ 335,000) for a corporation and even criminal prosecution in cases when the non-compliance is deliberate, repeated or poses serious risk to human health and the environment.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority is responsible for the registration, approval, and restriction of agrochemicals sold in Australia (APVMA). The use of pesticides is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Pesticides Act of 1999 and Regulation 2017. The EPA, Commonwealth and NSW government agencies, as well as other stakeholder organisations, oversee pesticide management to guarantee no harm to human health or the environment.
APVMA administers Australia’s agvet legislation and has a duty to not only manage potential risks, but also enforce compliance when required.
The legislation includes:
the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act 1994 (the Agvet Act)
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code scheduled to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 (the Agvet Code)
the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992 (the Admin Act)
the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical Products (Collection of Levy) Act 1994 (the Collection Act).
APVMA has the following duties:
issue substantiation notices
issue formal warnings
enter enforceable undertakings
issue enforceable directions
issue infringement notices
issue stop supply and recall notices
cancel or suspend permits for noncompliance or prior convictions
cancel or suspend permits to prevent imminent risk
issue a notice to attend, give information, or produce documents or things
obtain and execute monitoring warrants
obtain and execute investigation warrants.
Companies involved in the manufacturing, formulation, repackaging, exportation, importation, marketing, and application service of pesticides in Australia shall file the registration application
The APVMA is established as an independent Commonwealth statutory authority responsible for the regulation and management of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in Australia up to the point of retail sale under this Act. This Act provides all of the internal details of the APVMA's establishment, as well as its functions and powers. It also includes laws governing chemical import and export, as well as enforcement and inspections.
This act provides the constitutional and other legal elements necessary for the Agvet Code's implementation. The Agvet Code is to be applied as a law of the participating areas, according to the agreement. The Australian Capital Territory and any other territory designated as a participating territory by Regulations in force under section 25 of the act are considered participating territories.
The Agvet Code is included as a schedule in this Act. The Agvet Code provides extensive rules that enable the APVMA to analyze, authorize, register, and review active ingredients and agricultural and veterinary chemical products (and their accompanying labels), as well as give permits and licenses for chemical product manufacturing. It also includes regulations to manage the supply of chemical products, as well as provisions to ensure that the Agvet Code is followed and enforced.
The National Registration Authority for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (NRA) later became the APVMA. The AGVET Code is used by the APVMA of the participating states and territories for addressing the registration process of the active ingredients or chemicals.
In July 1991, the Commonwealth, states and territories agreed for establishing the National Registration Scheme (NRS) for agricultural and veterinary chemicals. The development of the NRS contributes to the process of assessment and registration of all AGVET chemical products which was independently undertaken by the commonwealth states and territories.
The APVMA partners between the Commonwealth and the states and territories within which the establishment of NRA and APVMA took place as a Commonwealth statutory authority, that is responsible for the evaluation, registration and review of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and their control.
The APVMA is also termed as an independent statutory authority that implements the legislative powers, functions and AGVET Codes.
The product label is the primary and most effective means of communicating to users' critical information about pesticide and veterinary drug use that is both safe and effective. Current pesticide and veterinary medicine labelling, on the other hand, is complex, confusing, and inflexible, with separate labelling codes and information for different statutory needs. Because labels have become more extensive and comprehensive, vital information can be difficult to locate. Furthermore, updating information on labels takes time, which can result in different labels for the same product along the supply chain.
By focusing pre-market regulatory effort on those label features that are unique to pesticides and veterinary pharmaceuticals, the Panel advises simplifying labelling and expediting label evaluation. Content that does not require assessment would be subject to the label.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is in charge of regulating agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals (active components) and the goods that contain them in Australia, up to and including retail sales.
The Agvet Code specifies which items and chemicals require registration or approval and which are exempt. The National Registration Scheme for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals in Australia is the regulatory framework for controlling agricultural and veterinary (AgVet) chemicals (NRS). The NRS is a collaborative effort between the Commonwealth and the states and territories, with duties shared equally. The NRS is administered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) in collaboration with state and territory government agencies, as well as other Commonwealth agencies, law enforcement, and the judiciary.
APVMA defines a nanomaterial as “A nanomaterial should be an intentionally produced, manufactured or engineered substance with unique properties that are directly caused by size features with 10 per cent or more of the number size distribution of these features lying in the range approximately 1–100 nm (the nanoscale). There should be recognition that biological and EHS issues may require a different size range above 100 nm.”
Both Nano pesticides and veterinary nanomedicines must be compatible with the proposed APVMA working definition of a nanomaterial. There is currently no universal agreement on what constitutes a nano pesticide or a veterinary nanomedicine. Several researchers have raised a variety of concerns that should be considered while defining a definition for nanopesticides15. For example, the nanomaterial in a nano pesticide could be the active ingredient or a non-active 'carrier; the size of a nano pesticide could be larger than the traditionally accepted upper limit of the nanoscale dimension (100 nm); and the durability of a nano pesticide could be either transient or persistent. According to the SCENIHR (2010) study, "further guidance (requirements) unique for the planned rule" may be required. The APVMA working definition of a nanomaterial is intended to have a nanoscale dimension of 100 nm as the maximum limit; nevertheless, a size range greater than 100 nm may be required to address human health and environmental safety concerns. On a case-by-case basis, the need will be evaluated. For the purposes of risk assessment and APVMA enforcement, the definition applies to Nano pesticides and veterinary nanomedicines.
Individuals, companies, organisations, trade associations, and other groups can apply online to the APVMA to:
Before filing an application, have the APVMA conduct a technical examination. Have the APVMA's decision reviewed.
Within a month of receiving an application, the APVMA conducts a preliminary assessment. This is to see if the application fits the application requirements, in other words, if the applicant has provided the APVMA with all the necessary information and paperwork. If this is not the case, additional information may be asked.
The APVMA then evaluates each application within the timeframe set by law before deciding whether to approve, register, or deny it.
The APVMA takes a scientific, evidence-based approach to regulation, aligning its efforts with the hazards posed by each active element or product. Both the likelihood of exposure and the potential effects of exposure are considered when assessing risks.
The APVMA allows databases and publishes certain information regarding products and active constituents on our PubCRIS. Some of this data is made public throughout the evaluation process, while others are made public after approval or registration.
The pertinent details of a product's label, such as the product name and key ingredients – as well as the safety and usage guidelines – are some of the information presented on each database record. If it has been included as a reference product in another application, the information released will indicate which products it has been listed for.
The APVMA is responsible for maintaining the PubCRIS and permits databases, as well as updating records as needed to reflect variations or modifications to a product, permit, licence, label, or active constituent.
The person, corporation, or organisation in charge of a registered chemical product – or an approved active constituent – is accountable for adhering to the Agvet Legislation on an ongoing basis. This can include ensuring that their product or active constituent's labelling, advertising, manufacturing, importing, sales, and supply are all compliant with Agvet regulations.
The APVMA has specific authorities to oversee and monitor compliance with Agvet regulations, as well as to carry out enforcement actions as necessary. Law enforcement, the court, and other state, territory, and Australian government departments work together to enforce the law.
This can involve ensuring that agvet chemical products and active ingredients are sold, supplied, imported, exported, manufactured, labelled, packaged, stored, and advertised in accordance with the law. The APVMA is also in charge of performing chemical reviews, monitoring reports of Agvet regulation non-compliance, and examining allegations of adverse reactions to agvet chemical goods.
APVMA has set the maximum limit for chemical review up to 57 months. The time frame depends on factors to be reviewed such as efficacy, safety, chemistry, etc.
The APVMA has yet to issue any formal rules on the registration and regulation of nanomaterials-containing products. When the person applies to register a product that contains nanomaterials, the basic guideline is that one should include information that addresses the same criteria that APVMA evaluates when registering conventional products. Additional information about the nanomaterial, as well as any hazards that are different from or in addition to the primary hazard, should be included. APVMA will be able to deploy risk management measures on a case-by-case basis as a result of these.
“Until detailed guidelines are available, any person contemplating registering an agvet chemical product containing nanomaterials should first contact the APVMA for guidance on data specific to that product. Any advice given will reflect the practices current at the time for this developing science.”
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), also referred to as “emerging contaminants”, include a range of chemical substances from diverse applications, ranging from medicines, personal care, household cleaning products, lawn care, agricultural products, among others.
The toxicity of POPs has been long investigated, and researchers found that these chemicals may have long-range mobility and long-lasting duration, leading to environmental contamination and pollution. POPs are often classified as Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) with hormone disruption consequences, bioaccumulation and biomagnification through the food chain. The presence of POPs in the environment and in human health can lead to several complications, from mild effects to more serious consequences, for example, reproductive disruptions and immunological disorders.
Since POPs are not easily broken down, a characteristic that guarantees its continuation in the environment, the contaminant consequences are still being investigated. In other words, the emerging contaminants are mainly not from new pollutants that recently entered the environment. Instead, there is a good understanding of contaminants, but the consequences to their exposure are still being discovered.
Countries have created a set of rules and regulations to regulate, control, and mitigate POPs use and its effects on the environment and on human health. The essence of these legislations is to eliminate the production, trading, and use of such chemicals, including storage and waste management.
International effort in addressing POPs starts in late 1990s. The initial protocol to address POPs was implemented in 1998, signing 16 chemicals to phase out according to previously established risk criteria. The Aarhus Protocol also impose parties to reduce their emissions below 1990 levels.
The Stockholm Convention is an international conference specifically for POPs proposed in May 2001 in Sweden (complementing the Aarhus Protocol), entering into force in 2004. Among the objectives, the Stockholm Convention aims to:
The Stockholm Convention is considered the main international instrument to address POPs. Most countries adhere to the Stockholm Convention.