Australia - Inventory

The Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (AIIC) lists approximately 40,000 substances and covers substances that were in commerce before 1990. The Inventory classifies chemicals by risk categories, ranging from exempt to assessed introductions. This tiered system allows for a balanced approach between regulatory oversight and industry flexibility. 

The lower risk chemicals are subject to streamlined notification requirements. Substances not listed in the Inventory are considered new and must undergo notification and risk assessment before being placed on the market. 

The AIIC is maintained under the Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS), which categorizes substances into risk-based tiers: 

• Listed Substances: Simplified notification requirements; compliance includes proper labelling, preparation of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and adherence to risk categories. 

• Unlisted Substances: Must undergo notification and registration, including hazard and risk assessment. 

• New Substances: Substances not listed in the inventory are considered new and must be classified and registered before their production or importation 

• New Substances: The Inventory facilitates streamlined management of existing chemicals while ensuring rigorous safety evaluation of new substances. 

The AIIC also allows for confidentiality claims, allowing companies to protect proprietary details such as chemical identities during notification. These claims are evaluated by the relevant authorities and substances may be included in a confidential section of the inventory.