Choose from 5 options:
I can't find my chemical on the Inventory
Did you search using the chemical's CAS number or CAS name?
If no, then we recommend that you search using the chemical's CAS number (preferably), or CAS name. This is because the Inventory rarely contains trade names, INCI names or product names.
Ask your chemical's supplier or manufacturer if they can provide the CAS number. Otherwise ask for the chemical's CAS name. You may also want to try https://commonchemistry.cas.org/
If yes, then check if it is one of these reasons:
- The chemical meets our legal definition of a naturally occurring chemical - chemicals that meet this definition do not need to be on the Inventory.
- It’s a mixture (such as an alloy or hydrate) – the Inventory only contains names of chemicals, not mixtures.
- You entered an incorrect CAS number or it doesn’t match the CAS number format. For example you may have added a space between the numbers or hyphens.
- You entered an outdated CAS number. Sometimes CAS replaces a chemical’s CAS number with a new one, so you need to make sure that you’re using the updated CAS number. You can check if you have an up-to-date CAS number for your chemical by searching chemical databases such as ChemIDPlus and SciFinder-n.
Still no result after searching the chemical's CAS number?
You can ask us to check if your chemical is confidentially listed on the Inventory. This is because there are some chemicals that are listed on the Inventory where the CAS name and CAS number are protected as confidential business information (CBI). If it is not confidentially listed on the Inventory, then you must proceed to Step 1 of the Categorisation Guide to work out your chemical introduction category.
Trade names, product names and INCI names
The Inventory is a database of chemicals, not products, mixtures or formulations. Therefore it does not contain product names, trade or marketing names and rarely contains INCI or common chemical names. We recommend finding a CAS number or CAS name for each chemical that you want to search. For example:
Search using the CAS number or name |
Don’t search using trade or common names |
| 107-21-1 / 1,2-Ethanediol 57-55-6 / 1,2-Propanediol |
Antifreeze |
| 144-55-8 / Carbonic acid, monosodium salt | Baking soda |
| 77-92-9 / 1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy- | Citric acid |
| 9005-25-8 / Starch | Corn starch |
| 7487-88-9 / Sulfuric acid magnesium salt (1:1) | Epsom salt |
| 56-81-5 / 1,2,3-Propanetriol | Glycerine |
| 8000-28-0 / Essential oils, lavender | Lavender oil |
| 13463-67-7 / Titanium oxide (TiO2) | Liquid paper |
| 1310-73-2 / Sodium hydroxide (Na(OH)) | Lye |
| 68917-75-9 / Oils, wintergreen | Wintergreen oil |
Important: These CAS numbers are examples only. It is the introducer’s responsibility to correctly identify and know the chemistry of their introductions.
Naturally occurring chemicals
Introductions of naturally occurring chemicals do not need to be on the Inventory. You can import or manufacture naturally occurring chemicals without telling us, as long as they meet our definition of 'naturally occurring'.
Mixture
A mixture contains 2 or more component chemicals that don’t react. You need to search the Inventory for each component chemical that make up the mixture, not the mixture itself. You can import or manufacture the mixture as long as their component chemicals are on the Inventory and you follow the regulatory obligations.
I still can't find my chemical on the Inventory
1. Ask us to check if the chemical is confidentially listed.
Sometimes we list a chemical on the Inventory and it is either not publicly searchable on our website, or we use a masked chemical name. This is because importers and manufacturers can request a confidential listing to protect their commercial interests.
If you don't get a search result and you are genuinely intending to import or manufacture (introduce) it in Australia, you can ask us to check whether this chemical is confidentially listed on the Inventory. To do this, you will need to log in to AICIS Business Services.
Can I use a chemical that's confidentially listed?
If your chemical is confidentially listed, we will contact you by email with the outcome and what you need to do.
What if my chemical is not confidentially listed on the Inventory?
If you still wish to introduce the chemical, you must work out which introduction category applies - read below.
2. Work out which AICIS category applies to your introduction
You must now work out if your introduction meets the criteria for one of our authorised introduction categories. Use our Guide to categorising your chemical importation or manufacture (Categorisation Guide), which steps you through the process. Regulatory treatment will vary depending on your introduction's level of risk to human health and the environment.
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