Choose from 5 options:
Before you start categorising your introduction
An overview of AICIS introduction categories. All introducers must categorise each chemical introduction into one of these categories.
This guide does not cover how to categorise your introduction as a commercial evaluation. Under this category, you can apply for a time-limited commercial evaluation authorisation for the purpose of testing a chemical's commercial viability in Australia.
Who is this guide for?
Anyone who plans to manufacture or import industrial chemicals (or products that contain industrial chemicals) into Australia for commercial, research or any business-related purposes.
This guide is designed to help you work out which AICIS introduction category applies to each of your chemical introductions.
Note: you don't need to use this guide or categorise your chemical introductions if it's only for personal or hobby use, or your introduction is a type that doesn't need to be categorised under our laws.
AICIS introduction categories
For mixtures or products containing more than one chemical ingredient, you must work out which of the categories below apply to each chemical introduction.
Listed introductions
A chemical introduction that is categorised as ‘listed’ means it is on our Inventory and already available for industrial use in Australia. Your business must be registered with us and you must meet any terms of the listing for that chemical. You must keep records and submit an annual declaration at the end of each registration year. There's no fee for listed introductions.
Exempted introductions
A chemical introduction that is categorised as ‘exempted’ means it meets a very strict set of criteria that is considered very low risk to both human health and the environment. If your introduction meets the criteria and you're already registered with us, you can introduce the chemical without telling us beforehand. You must keep records and submit an annual declaration at the end of each registration year. Some exempted introductions also require you to submit a once-off post-introduction declaration the first time that you introduce the chemical. There's no fee for exempted introductions.
Reported introductions
A chemical introduction that is categorised as ‘reported’ means it meets our criteria to be considered low risk to human health or the environment. You must be registered with us and submit a once-off pre-introduction report before you start introducing it. You must keep records and submit an annual declaration at the end of each registration year. There's no fee for reported introductions and no fee to submit a pre-introduction report.
Assessed introductions
A chemical introduction that is categorised as ‘assessed’ means we consider it to be medium to high risk to human health or the environment. It cannot be in the exempted or reported categories. If the chemical is not on the Inventory, then we must assess your introduction and issue an assessment certificate before you can import or manufacture it. The chemical will be listed on the Inventory 5 years after we issue a certificate.
You must keep records and submit an annual declaration at the end of each registration year. There is a fee to apply for an assessment certificate.
Commercial evaluation
If you meet our commercial evaluation criteria, you can apply for a commercial evaluation authorisation as an alternative option to the exempted, reported or assessed category. The chemical will not be listed on the Inventory. You must keep records and submit an annual declaration at the end of each registration year. There is a fee to apply for a commercial evaluation authorisation.
The Minister can also authorise introductions under exceptional circumstances.
