Industrial Chemicals reforms: update on implementation

• Australia

• Standards and test methods Regulatory Cosmetics

To assist regulated entities to adequately prepare for compliance with the new Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS), the Australian Government has decided to defer commencement of the scheme until 1 July 2019.

Deferral of implementation will also allow more time to consult on the details of the new scheme, to be set out in rules to be made by the Minister (delegated legislation). The rules were published on 9 March 2018 on the NICNAS website.

The legislative package to establish AICIS and set its new commencement date is expected to be debated in the Senate later this year. Government amendments to change the commencement date will be moved at the time of debate in the Senate.

The new commencement date also means that the aspects of the implementation of the election commitment and the 2017-18 Budget measure to ban the testing of cosmetics on animals that are included in the Industrial Chemicals Bill 2017 will also be delayed until 1 July 2019.

The current regulatory scheme for industrial chemicals (NICNAS) will remain in place until AICIS commences. Stakeholders have previously been consulted on proposed amendments to the current scheme set out in the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Amendment Bill 2017 to introduce ‘early wins’. There is no change to the Government’s intention that the early wins should take effect as soon as possible after the Industrial Chemicals Bill is passed.

Release of draft Industrial Chemicals Rules and Categorisation Guidelines - An exposure draft of the rules and guidelines with explanatory notes are now available. Consultation is open until 4 May. Go to this consultation