Australia Opens Consultation on Revisions to the Categorisation Guidelines for 2026

On 13 November 2025, the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) opened a public consultation on proposed revisions to the Categorisation Guidelines. This annual update provides a consolidated overview of all the planned amendments to be included the September 2026 edition, bringing together technical corrections, hazard-based updates, and regulatory clarifications. Two of the proposed changes are open for public comment, while the remainder are provided for information purposes only.

Overview of Proposed Changes

The consultation package covers four categories of updates that will shape the 2026 Categorisation Guidelines.

1. Updates to the List of Chemicals with High Hazards for Categorisation (Information Only)

The AICIS is proposing extensive changes to the high-hazard list that is used to determine introducers’ obligations. The draft update includes:

• 249 new chemicals to be added
• 121 existing entries to be updated
• Two chemicals to be removed
• One CAS number correction

These changes will ensure that the hazard listings continue to reflect the latest scientific understanding, supporting more accurate categorisation outcomes. While this part of the update is not open for comment, the AICIS is providing the full list so introducers can assess the potential impact on their future introductions.

2. High Hazard Salts and Esters (Open for Comment)

The AICIS is proposing to include the following five chemicals in part 6.5.2 of the Categorisation Guidelines, based on an evaluation indicating the need to demonstrate the absence of the developmental toxicity hazard characteristic. Introducers may need to verify that their introductions are not salts or esters of these specified chemicals during the categorisation process.

Chemicals proposed for inclusion:

• 1H-Benzotriazole, 6-chloro- (CAS 94-97-3)
• 1H-Benzotriazole (CAS 95-14-7)
• 1H-Benzotriazole, 6-methyl- (CAS 136-85-6)
• 1H-Benzotriazole, 6 (or 7)-methyl- (CAS 29385-43-1)
• 1H-Benzotriazole, 7-methyl- (CAS 29878-31-7)

The exception criteria remain the same as for other chemicals in this section. A salt or ester would not fall under this hazard requirement if:

• it is a high-molecular-weight polymer with low levels of low molecular weight species, or
• its molecular weight is greater than or equal to 1,000 g/mol.

Stakeholders are invited to comment on the proposed additions and to nominate other salts or esters that may need to be assessed for developmental toxicity concerns.

3. Single Definition for “Chemical Identity Holder” (Open for Comment)

The AICIS proposes replacing the current two definitions of ‘chemical identity holder’ with a single, consolidated definition. This is intended is to clarify how the term is used throughout the Categorisation Guidelines. Stakeholders are invited to comment on the revised definition.

4. Updated Links and Minor Editorial Amendments (Information Only)

The consultation also includes several smaller updates aimed at improving usability. These involve updated links and cross-references, structural refinements, and minor editorial changes that do not alter regulatory obligations, but will improve the clarity of the Guidelines ahead of their release in 2026.

Next Steps

Comments on the two open proposals are invited until 28 January 2026. AICIS will review the feedback before finalising the September 2026 Categorisation Guidelines.