Reforms

Lead in surface coatings and inks – review of restrictions

NICNAS is conducting a review of the impact on industry, workers and the public of restricting the concentration of lead in industrial surface coatings and inks. We are seeking to collect data by way of a voluntary, web based survey which will run until Friday 27 April 2012.
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Review of Existing Chemicals Program

Following the publication of the Final Report and Recommendations from the Review of the Existing Chemicals Program in December 2006, the Strategy for Implementing the Recommendations was approved by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing in August 2007, after consultation with stakeholders.  An Implementation Steering Group comprising the community, industry and governments has been convened to guide NICNAS in implementing the recommendations.  The Reform to the Existing Chemicals Program will enhance its efficiency and effectiveness, and its responsiveness to the chemical concerns of stakeholders.

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Disinfectants

In June 2006 the previous Australian Government agreed to a review of the regulation of disinfectant products, as recommended by the Australia Government Regulation Taskforce - Reducing Regulatory Burden on Business (the Banks report). In response to this recommendation NICNAS engaged a consultant to review the current Australian regulatory framework. NICNAS is working with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on these reforms.

Cosmetics Reform
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Nanotechnology Reform
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Low regulatory concern chemicals (LRCC) Reform Initiative

NICNAS has recently introduced a number of reform initiatives to encourage the introduction of new and safer chemicals based on the criteria set out in the 'Low Regulatory Concern Chemicals (LRCC) Final Report and Recommendations on the outstanding reforms' (published in the November 2007 issue of the Chemical Gazette).

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Legislative Change 2010-11

NICNAS is proposing to amend the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 (the Act) and the planned changes cover:

• The transfer to the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (the AICS) of certain chemicals, including those in cosmetic products previously regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. This was to address a regulatory gap in the protection of public health and complete reforms related to cosmetics (which commenced in 2007) and would also facilitate future reforms;
• Implementation of measures arising from the review of the NICNAS Existing Chemicals Program including:
  • introduction of new assessment processes such that NICNAS can apply the most appropriate assessment approach (information, advisory or regulatory) based on the issue being addressed; and
  • streamlining processes for re-assessment of chemicals on the AICS, otherwise known as existing chemicals.
• Minor changes to the Act to enhance the administration of the scheme and improve efficiency including removal of the need to publish summary assessment reports and revision of the Schedule to the Act to clarify current arrangements for active ingredients in sunscreens and chemicals which are persistent and bioaccumulative in the environment.

Extensive consultations had taken place in past years on the reforms to cosmetics regulation, and on changes to the existing chemicals program. Consultation on the minor changes was undertaken in two stages in April 2010 and July 2010. The latter round was based on a revised proposal which took into account submissions to the April 2010 consultation.  

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