Australia Chemical Regulation
Australia REACH
What is AICIS (Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme) ?
The Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 established the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) to regulate the importation and manufacture (introduction) of industrial chemicals in Australia.
AICIS replaced the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) on 1 July 2020. The AICIS regulates chemicals (including polymers) introduced for an industrial use, such as in inks, paints, adhesives, solvents, cosmetics and personal care products, cleaning products, as well as in manufacturing, construction, and mining applications and to promote the safe use of industrial chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment.
Who is affected?
Importers and manufacturers (introducers) of industrial chemicals for commercial purposes need to register their business under this scheme. All industrial chemical introducers must categorise their chemical importation or manufacture (introduction) into the following categories i.e., Listed introduction, exempted introduction, reported introduction, assessed introduction, commercial evaluation before placing into Australian territory.
If the introduction is listed in the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (the Inventory), then it is categorized as Listed introduction, and can be placed in the market in complying with the regulatory obligations (if any). If the introduction is not in the listed category, then it must be authorized into any one of the other categories.
Annual Declaration
Regardless of introduction category, one must submit an annual declaration at the end of every registration year (between August 1 and November 30). This declaration is to make about the industrial chemicals imported or manufactured in the previous registration year and confirms that introductions were authorised under Australian laws.
Introduction categories for chemicals
Importers and manufacturers (introducers) of industrial chemicals for commercial purposes need to register their business under this scheme. All industrial chemical introducers must categorise their chemical importation or manufacture (introduction) into the following categories i.e., Listed introduction, exempted introduction, reported introduction, assessed introduction, commercial evaluation before placing into Australian territory.
If the introduction is listed in the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (the Inventory), then it is categorized as Listed introduction, and can be placed in the market in complying with the regulatory obligations (if any). If the introduction is not in the listed category, then it must be authorized into any one of the other categories.
It is important for Non-Australian introducers to register their business and meet compliance & reporting requirements for uninterrupted exports to Australia. Australian Registered Business Number (ARBN) is mandatory for the same. Non-Australian introducers can also appoint an Australian agent for compliance requirements if they are unable to obtain Australian Registered Business Number (ARBN).
2026 Regulatory Trends in Australia Chemical Compliance & AICIS Readiness
Assessment of the criteria for polymers of low concern (PLCPL’s) for greater transparency. environmental fate information, data quality, the auditing of digital record-keeping and supply chains of imported chemicals.
Documentation & Recordkeeping Under AICIS
All introducers (importers and manufacturers) of industrial chemicals must ensure compliance with the requirements of the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS). To ensure compliance all introducers must keep records and documentation for all industrial chemical(s) introduced by them for a minimum period of 5 years.
- Identity Records for the Chemical – e.g. molecular formula, CAS registry number, chemical name.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the introduced chemical(s) – These must be able to be accessed by the introducer and made available to the end user as required by the Code for the Manufacture of Industrial Chemicals (CMIC).
- A description of the risk assessment information used to identify health and environmental hazards of the industrial chemical present and the effects that they have on human health and the environment.
- The volume at which you import/ manufacture a chemical – used to calculate the registration level and AICIS fees that you pay.
- Exposure scenarios: information describing how the introduced chemical is used and managed, how it is handled and how it should be disposed of.
- Introduction category justification: The justification for introducing a chemical under a particular introduction category (listed, exempted, reported, assessed or commercial evaluation).
- Records that provide evidence of calculation of declared volumes of introduced industrial chemicals (e.g. commercial invoices; orders; airway bills; receipts).
Note that AICIS may require documentation to be provided within 20 working days. All documentation for a chemical must be retained for a minimum of 5 years after use for introduced industrial chemicals whether or not the chemical is still being introduced.
How GPC Can Help with AICIS Registration and Compliance
GPC provides end-to-end AICIS registration support services for companies importing, manufacturing, or supplying industrial chemicals and chemical-containing products in Australia. Our Australia chemical compliance consulting experts help businesses understand their obligations under the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme and select the correct compliance pathway before placing products on the Australian market.
Our AICIS consulting services include:
- AICIS applicability assessment for industrial chemicals, mixtures, polymers, cosmetics, cleaning products, coatings, adhesives, solvents, and other chemical-containing products
- Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals check
- AICIS introduction categorisation support
- Guidance on listed, exempted, reported, assessed, and commercial evaluation introductions
- Support with AICIS business registration requirements
- Preparation and review of information for pre-introduction reports and assessment certificate applications
- Compliance support for foreign companies exporting chemicals or chemical-containing products to Australia
- Guidance on Australian agent or importer coordination
- AICIS annual declaration support
- Record-keeping and post-market compliance consulting
- Regulatory strategy development for uninterrupted access to the Australian market
Whether your chemical is already listed on the Australian Inventory or requires further authorisation, GPC can provide practical AICIS compliance support services to help you meet regulatory requirements efficiently and reduce the risk of delays, non-compliance, or market access issues
Why Choose GPC for Australia Chemical Compliance Consulting Support ?
GPC has extensive experience in global chemical regulatory compliance and supports companies across multiple sectors with market access, registration, notification, and regulatory consulting services. Our team combines technical regulatory expertise with practical industry knowledge to help businesses navigate complex chemical compliance requirements in Australia and other international markets.
Companies choose GPC for Australia chemical compliance consulting because we provide:
- Expert guidance on AICIS registration and industrial chemical introduction requirements
- Practical support for importers, manufacturers, distributors, formulators, and foreign exporters
- Experience with chemical, cosmetic, polymer, cleaning product, coating, adhesive, and industrial formulation compliance
- Tailored regulatory strategies based on product type, chemical identity, use, volume, and introduction category
- Support for both listed and non-listed chemicals under the Australian Inventory
- End-to-end consulting from obligation assessment to submission preparation and ongoing compliance
- Clear communication and structured project management
- Global regulatory expertise across REACH-like and chemical management frameworks
With GPC’s AICIS support services, businesses can better understand their regulatory responsibilities, prepare the required information, meet reporting obligations, and maintain compliant access to the Australian market.
Get Support for AICIS Registration Services in Australia
Planning to import, manufacture, or supply industrial chemicals or chemical-containing products in Australia? GPC can help you determine whether AICIS registration applies to your business and guide you through the required compliance steps.
Our AICIS registration consulting services are designed to support businesses at every stage, from initial applicability assessment and Inventory checks to introduction categorisation, reporting, annual declaration, and ongoing compliance management.
Contact GPC today for professional AICIS registration support services and. Our Australia chemical compliance consulting experts can help you identify the right compliance pathway and support your business in achieving smooth and compliant market access in Australia.
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