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Banned or restricted chemicals
We are often asked which chemicals are ‘allowed’ or ‘banned’ in Australia. Many people don’t realise that chemicals are regulated on a national level by 4 different government schemes, depending on the intended use of the chemical.
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In Australia, there is no single list of banned or restricted chemicals that you can view or download. Bans and restrictions on chemicals and consumer product ingredients – including cosmetics – are regulated by each state and territory authority.
Banned or restricted chemicals in consumer products and cosmetics
As a first step we recommend that you look at the Poisons Standard where you can search for chemical names and any bans or restrictions, including maximum concentrations. For the Poisons Standard, see the Therapeutic Goods Administration's website.
If you’re importing or making cosmetics, you also need to search our industrial chemicals database (Inventory) to make sure that you're meeting any regulatory obligation attached to the importation or manufacture of each chemical ingredient.
Importers and manufacturers of chemicals with an industrial use, including cosmetics and consumer goods
Search the industrial chemicals inventory
We can limit the importation and manufacture of industrial chemicals by placing obligations on the chemicals we assess, such as:
- limits on volume of chemicals imported or manufactured
- limits on concentration
- where the chemical is used
It is an offence to import or manufacture a chemical if you can’t meet these obligations. To see if there are obligations for an industrial chemical that you wish to import or manufacture, search the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (Inventory).
Industrial chemicals listed under international agreements
The AICIS Executive Director has the power to approve, restrict or prohibit the introduction or export of industrial chemicals listed in international conventions and protocols that Australia follows to protect human health and the environment against the effects of hazardous chemicals. If you wish to import or export chemicals that are listed under these international agreements, check these pages below:
Apply for annual import authorisation - Rotterdam Convention
Apply for annual export authorisation - Rotterdam Convention
Importing or exporting mercury and mixtures containing mercury
Who else regulates industrial chemicals in Australia
There is no single list of banned chemicals in Australia. But there other schemes that play a role in regulating different parts of a chemical's life cycle:
- Food and ingredients in food. Food Standards Australia New Zealand develops and administers the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The Code regulates the use of food ingredients, processing aids, colourings, additives, vitamins and minerals.
- Classification of medicines and poisons. The Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons - also known as the Poisons Standard - is a record of decisions about the classification of medicines and chemicals used in consumer products. It may be helpful to refer to this resource when determining if you can market your product as a cosmetic.
- Classification of hazardous chemicals and labelling. Safe Work Australia - for information to determine if your chemical is hazardous and to correctly classify it according to the law.
- Transporting dangerous goods, including chemicals. The National Transport Commission sets out the requirements for transporting dangerous goods, including chemicals.
- Import and export of chemicals. Australian Border Force controls the import and export of certain goods, including toxic organic pollutants, hazardous chemicals and products such as asbestos.
- Consumer protection. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission helps protect consumers from chemical hazards in the home, including recalling unsafe products.
- Chemical security and suspicious behaviour. Australian National Security monitors chemicals that may be used for unlawful activities, including terrorism.
State and territory authorities usually manage compliance with restrictions on the access, use and disposal of chemicals. National standards or codes of practice are reflected in state and territory legislation to provide more uniform controls across Australia.
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