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Industrial chemicals law in Australia

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The Act

Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 is the legal framework for the regulation of the importation and manufacture (introduction) of industrial chemicals in Australia. It establishes the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) and its Executive Director.

General Rules

The Industrial Chemicals (General) Rules 2019 (General Rules) form part of the legislative framework and contain the technical and operational details of AICIS under the functions of the Executive Director. The General Rules are amended from time to time.

Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines

The Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines are issued by the Executive Director of AICIS and set out technical details and requirements for categorising chemical introductions in Australia. These Guidelines are amended from time to time. 

You must read the Guidelines in conjunction with the General Rules.

Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines
 

List of chemicals with high hazards for categorisation 

This is part of Appendix 8.1 of the Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines. It is a list of chemicals that trusted national and international sources consider to be high hazardous to human health or the environment, with hazard characteristics that are in our highest hazard bands. View the high hazards list and how to use as part of categorising a chemical introduction.

Guide to categorising your chemical importation and manufacture (Categorisation Guide) 

Drawing on information in the The Act, General Rules and the Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines, we've put together this practical, step-by-step plain language guide and self-guided decision tools to help you complete the categorisation process. The guide walks you through what you need to check and in what order you need to do it.

Read our Categorisation Guide

Previous versions of the Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines

Transitional Act and Transitional Rules

The Industrial Chemicals (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2019 and the Industrial Chemicals (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Rules 2019 cover matters relating to the changeover from NICNAS to AICIS which took effect on 1 July 2020.

Legislation related to fees and charges

These Acts, regulations and rules authorise the imposition of charges on importers and manufacturers of industrial chemicals.

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