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Australia AICIS Publishes Extra Guidance on Categorization of Polymers

AICIS provided further instructions on how to categorize the introduction of polymers.

In early September, the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) published extra information [1] to help categorize the introduction of polymers in Australia. According to the scheme, which officially took effect on July 1st this year, anyone who imports or manufactures (introduces) industrial chemicals into the country for commercial purposes must register their business with the AICIS and categorize each introduction.

This extra guidance, which must be followed in conjunction with the categorization guidance [2], provides a clear picture of the categorization of polymers.

First, businesses need to check whether their polymer introductions are automatically categorized as exempted. There are three types of polymer introductions which automatically fall under the exempted category, including:

l  Polymers that meet the polymer of concern (PLC) criteria in AICIS

l  Polymers that meet the criteria of a “low concern biological polymer” in AICIS

l  Polymers that are comparable to listed polymers

Second, as with other chemicals, businesses will need to go through a six-step process to categorize their polymer introductions as exempted or reported or assessed. For more details about the six steps, see the foregoing categorization guidance [2].

It is particularly pointed out in the extra guidance that when working out the category of polymer introduction, businesses need to be aware of the additional, or different, requirements with regard to the human health hazards and environment hazards of polymers.

Besides this one on polymers, AICIS has published a series of extra guidance on categorization of chemicals including those on chemicals used in cosmetics [3], chemicals with an end use in articles with food contact [4], etc., in a bid to facilitate businesses’ understanding of and compliance with the new scheme.

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