The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) aids in the protection of the Australian people and the environment through the regulation of the introduction of industrial chemicals, the assessment and evaluation of the introduction and use of certain industrial chemicals and providing information and recommendations to promote their safe use. Industrial chemicals include a broad range of chemicals used in inks, plastics, adhesives, paints, glues, solvents, cosmetics, soaps and many other products. The Executive Director assisted by staff from the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) administers the statutory AICIS, established under the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 (IC Act). AICIS assessments inform decisions made by a wide range of Commonwealth, state and territory government agencies involved in regulating the control, use, release and disposal of industrial chemicals. AICIS administers the following authorisation systems under the IC Act:

• Chemical assessments and authorisations – The import and/or manufacture of industrial chemicals is authorised under specific categories. Chemicals not listed on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (Inventory) may be introduced under Exempted (very low risk introductions), Reported (low risk) or Assessed (medium to high risk) categories. Introducers will have to first categorise the chemical they wish to introduce by determining the indicative risk to human health and the environment applying a defined set of critera. Commercial importers and/or manufacturers (introducers) are required to apply for assessment of a medium to high-risk chemical and upon completion an assessment certificate may be granted. Introducers are also required to apply to vary the Inventory listing for an industrial chemical if their intended use differs from that specified in the listing. An introducer may apply for a commercial evaluation authorisation in order to evaluate the commercial viability of industrial chemicals.
• Registration of introducers – establishes a Register of Industrial Chemical Introducers – A certificate of Registration authorises companies and persons to import and/or manufacture industrial chemicals into Australia.
• International Conventions - is responsible for implementing the domestic obligations of the Rotterdam Convention for industrial chemicals and the Minamata Convention on Mercury for mercury with industrial uses. Australia's import decisions for industrial chemicals listed in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention reflects the current regulatory status of that chemical in Australia. More information can be obtained from: https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/chemical-information/banned-or-restricted-chemicals/chemicals-listed-rotterdam-and-stockholm-conventions/apply-annual-import-authorisation-rotterdam-convention.

Rotterdam Convention - The importation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other substances obtained by chlorinating terphenyls (PCTs) and other polyphenyls, is prohibited under the provisions of the Customs Act 1901 (Customs Act) and the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (PI Regulations) unless the permission in writing of the responsible Minister is granted and presented at the time of importation. The permission must be issued in the name of the owner. It may include strict conditions as to the application, disposal and destruction of the industrial chemicals.

Under the Industrial Chemicals (General) Rules 2019, the introduction and export of chemicals listed in sections 72 and 73 is prohibited without approval from the Executive Director, AICIS.

Refer above for details of each licensing system and chemicals that are subject to each system under the IC Act.

Chemical assessment and authorisation applies to the importation and manufacture of industrial chemicals (as defined in the IC Act) from all countries.

International Conventions - The Rotterdam Convention applies to chemicals subject to the Convention originating in and coming from countries that are Parties to that Convention. The purpose of the Rotterdam Convention is to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm. Systems for chemicals covered by the Rotterdam Convention apply to goods originating in and coming from countries that are Parties to that Convention. AICIS also authorises chemicals, for example tetraethyl lead, imported from countries which are not a Party to the Convention. The licensing of chemicals covered by the Rotterdam Convention is for the purpose of fulfilling Australia's obligations under that Convention. The monetary value is not a criterion for control.

See measures for mercury with industrial uses under the Minamata Convention.

Chemical assessment and authorisation - the registration process and the control on the importation of other industrial chemicals are prescribed in the IC Act.

Registration of introducers – the purpose of registering all introducers is a legislative requirement under the IC Act. The risk from the importation of chemicals is borne by industry in the form of a charge based on the value of relevant industrial chemical imported/manufactured.

International Conventions - the licensing of chemicals covered by the Rotterdam and Minamata Convention is for the purpose of fulfilling Australia's obligations under those Conventions. The monetary value is not a criterion for control. The control on importation of PCBs, PCTs and polychlorinated polyphenyls is a statutory requirement under Regulation 4AB of the PI Regulations made under the Customs Act. The Executive Director assisted by staff from DoHAC administers the statutory scheme known as the AICIS, established under the IC Act.

Chemical assessment and authorisation – Required authorising instruments (e.g., assessment certificates) must be obtained before the chemical is introduced into Australia under the appropriate category for that chemical.

International Conventions – for the importation of PCBs, PCTs and polychlorinated polyphenyls application for a permit should be made in advance of the arrival of the goods.

Chemical assessment and authorisation – assessment certificates are issued after an assessment is completed. Statutory timeframes apply to assessment applications, commercial evaluation authorisations and applications to vary an Inventory listing.

International Conventions – for the importation of PCBs, PCTs and polychlorinated polyphenyls permits cannot be issued immediately as they are only issued on the advice of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

For the remaining chemicals listed on the Rotterdam Convention – within 20 business days as long as criteria are met.

All licensing may be issued throughout the year.

International Conventions – for the importation of PCBs, PCTs and polychlorinated polyphenyls, a permit is issued by the Minister for Home Affairs on the advice of DCCEEW. Permissions to import PCBs are normally granted by the Department of Home Affairs for research purposes. However, PCB waste may also be imported under the Hazardous Waste (Regulations of Exports and Imports) Act 1989, provided all the requirements of that Act have been met. For the remaining industrial chemicals listed on the Rotterdam Convention, written approvals are issued by AICIS.

International Conventions – for the importation of PCBs, PCTs and polychlorinated polyphenyls an application for permission to import can be refused on the discretion of the Minister for Home Affairs or an authorised person. There is no right of appeal against the Minister's decision. For the remaining chemicals listed in the Rotterdam Convention, and the import/export of mercury for industrial uses, approvals are issued by AICIS and if approval is not granted a person whose interests are affected may request the Executive Director to reconsider the decision. An application may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of a reconsidered decision.

All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for permission to import provided statutory requirements outlined above are met.

Chemical assessment and authorisation – a comprehensive list of documentation and other requirements required for this process can be found on the AICIS website at https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/getting_started/basics-importing-and-manufacturing-chemicals.

International Conventions – applications for permits to import PCBs, PCTs and polychlorinated polyphenyls must be made in writing to the Minister for Home Affairs. The application should include the importer's name and address and details of the goods to be imported.

Applications for permission to import PCBs and PCTs can be made using the form available at: https://www.abf.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1530.pdf.

International Conventions – for the importation of PCBs, PCTs and polychlorinated polyphenyls, the written permission of the Minister for Home Affairs is required to be produced on import. For the remaining chemicals listed in the Rotterdam Convention, authorisation from AICIS is required to be in force at the time of importing the chemical.

A comprehensive list of all AICIS fees and charges can be found on the AICIS website at https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/fees.

International Conventions – There are fees for import approvals for chemicals listed in the Rotterdam Convention under the IC Act. The fees and charges are available at: https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/fees. There are no fees for import or export approvals for mercury.

There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences.

Registration of introducers - AICIS Registration is valid for one year commencing on 1 September and finishing on 31 August.

International Conventions - Rotterdam Permits (granted by the Minister for Home Affairs or an authorised person) apply to one consignment only.

There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of a licence or a portion of a licence under the ICNA Act.

Registration of introducers - permits/licences are not transferable between importers.

All authorisations to import the chemicals listed in the Rotterdam Convention can be subject to conditions including the quantity. Permission granted under Regulation 4AB of the PI Regulations may specify conditions or requirements to be complied with by the holder of the permission.

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