Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) to Replace NICNAS in July 2020

• June 2, 2020

On July 1, 2020, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) will be replaced by the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS). In this blog post, we review several of the key aspects of AICIS.

Key Aspects of AICIS

With its origins stemming from the Industrial Chemicals Act of 2019, AICIS represents a new scheme for industrial chemical importation and manufacture regulation in Australia. The focus of this scheme is similar to that of NICNAS, as both are ultimately geared toward helping to protect environmental and human health in Australia. The development of AICIS, however, was prompted by the goal to improve Australian industrial chemical regulation overall.

Key aspects of AICIS focus on areas such as Australian industrial chemical registration, categorization, and introduction.

Registration

Companies involved in the manufacture or import of industrial chemicals in Australia are required to register with AICIS. Those businesses currently registered with NICNAS will be registered with AICIS automatically on July 1st. The registration year runs from September 1st through August 31st of the following year.

Categorization

Each chemical introduction is categorized into one of several categories:

• Listed – Such introductions are already listed on the Inventory and ready for Australian industrial use.
• Exempted – These introductions may be considered as posing very low risk to the environment and to human health. As a result, it is not necessary to submit notice for them in most cases.
• Reported – Posing low risk to the environment and to human health, it is necessary to provide a once-off report for such chemicals prior to introduction.
• Assessed – These introductions may be considered as posing medium to high risk to the environment and to human health. Application for assessment is necessary before chemical introduction.
• Commercial Evaluation – In such cases, additional time is necessary to ascertain the commercial potential of a chemical substance in Australia. Commercial Evaluation Authorization application is therefore required.

Accessing More Information

When Australia’s replacement of NICNAS with AICIS is complete, it will have a significant impact on any professional involved with industrial chemicals in Australia. More information regarding this replacement may be found on the Australian Government website as it becomes available. Additionally, you can visit the ToxPlanet website and blog regularly for information on new developments. Also, be sure to contact us and register for a Free Trial. Our powerful decision support solutions allow you to access vital information quickly and easily on an abundance of chemical substances. Experience the ToxPlanet difference and see how we can help address your chemical hazard information needs.