AICIS Compliance: Chemical Regulations in Australia

AICIS Compliance Summary for Chemical Manufacturers & Importers in Australia

What is AICIS?

AICIS (Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme) is the national regulatory body overseeing the importation and manufacture of industrial chemicals in Australia. All businesses must comply with AICIS regulations before introducing chemicals into the local market.

🔹 Key Steps to Achieve AICIS Compliance

1. Register Your Business

• When: Before introducing any industrial chemical (imported or manufactured).
• How: Register online with AICIS.
• Renewal: Must be renewed annually.
• Why: Enables government to track and regulate chemical introductions.

2. Categorize Each Chemical Introduction

After registration, you must categorize each chemical under one of six AICIS categories:

Category

Risk Level

Description

Listed

Low/known

On the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances and used per listing.

Exempted

Very low

Minimal risk to health/environment. Requires minimal documentation.

Reported

Low

Requires a simple online notification before introduction.

Assessed

Medium–high

Not eligible for exempted/reported. Requires risk assessment and application.

Commercial Evaluation

Special use

For limited use/testing in Australia.

Exceptional Circumstances

Rare/emergency

For urgent or unusual cases like emergency imports.

Use AICIS's Categorisation Guide to determine the correct category based on:

• Use type
• Volume
• End users
• Exposure risks

3. Submit the Annual Declaration

• When: Every year by 30 November (for the period 1 Sept – 31 Aug).
• What: Confirm which chemicals were introduced and under what category.
• Why: Verifies compliance and allows tracking of chemical volumes and risk levels.
• Penalty: Fines or legal action for non-compliance.

4. Maintain Accurate Records

• Keep supporting documents like:
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Import/manufacture logs
• Risk assessments
• Volume and use details

Record-keeping requirements vary by category (listed, exempted, reported, assessed). AICIS provides checklists for each.

Compliance Support & Audits

Non-compliance can result in:

• Penalties
• Deregistration
• Legal action

Professional Support:

Companies like Freyr offer:

AICIS registration and paperwork assistance

• Product categorization guidance
• Internal compliance systems setup
• Voluntary audits and reviews

Summary Checklist for AICIS Compliance

Task

Description

Register

Register your business with AICIS before any chemical introduction

Categorize

Use the AICIS guide to determine the correct category for each chemical

Declare

Submit annual declaration by 30 November

Record

Maintain required documents for each chemical

Stay Updated

Subscribe to AICIS updates; review regulatory changes regularly

Need Help?

If you're introducing chemicals into the Australian market and want to ensure full compliance, Freyr can assist with registration, categorization, documentation, and audits.