Final Report and Recommendations for NICNAS Low Regulatory Concern Chemicals (LRCC) Reform Initiative

 

Executive Summary

This is the final report of the Low Regulatory Concern Chemicals (LRCC) Task Force findings and recommendations for the LRCC reform initiative. The LRCC Task Force was charged to develop all recommendations in partnership with government, industry and the community. Hence extensive consultation has been undertaken.

 

Consultation was conducted in a variety of formats including: one on one meetings with NICNAS; focus groups; discussions with industry work groups; discussions with key community interest groups; NICNAS formal networks such as its Industry Government Consultative Committee (IGCC); the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Group for States and Territories; and NICNAS's Technical Advisory Group (TAG).

 

During the development of the reform options NICNAS and the LRCC Task Force met with over 90 companies, individuals and representatives of state and territory agencies and community groups including the ACTU and environmental groups.

 

Following the release of the LRCC Public Discussion Paper - May 2003 comments were sought from 7 May to 6 June 2003. A total of 34 written submission were received on or after the 6 June 2003.

 

The LRCC Task Force believes that the following recommendations offer an innovative approach to introduce flexibility into the current scheme. The LRCC reforms are not to be seen as a move towards deregulation of the industrial chemicals industry. Rather, it is focussed on regulatory efficiency and positive incentives to drive improvements in the safe and sustainable use of chemicals in Australia. The following recommendations reflect a balance between developing actions to reduce the compliance burden with actions to strengthen compliance, transparency and access to chemical safety information.

 

Key Outcomes

A wide range of recommendations covering a number of elements within NICNAS have been identified. These recommendations can be broadly categorised into three areas: namely reforms that are:

• New innovative elements to the current scheme;
  modifications to the existing scheme to improve regulatory efficiency; and

• Consequential to the above two categories and which are required to ensure the integrity of the regulatory process and an open and transparent system which maintains existing health and safety and environmental standards.

More information

• Final Report and Recommendations for NICNAS Low Regulatory Concern Chemicals (LRCC) Reform Initiative
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