Commercial Evaluation Chemical (CEC)

 

CEC permits are valid for new chemicals to be imported and/or manufactured at up to 4000 kg per 2 years, solely for the purpose of market evaluation, and where all end-users of the chemical must advise NICNAS. A CEC permit may be renewed only once, provided certain criteria are met.

Although there is no statutory deadline for NICNAS to finalise a CEC application, the process is usually completed within 14 days.

Examples of possible uses are:

• To test a new polymer in a surface coating when a large quantity is required to fill paint lines; or

• To evaluate a new process which requires a new industrial chemical.

To ensure adequate safeguards, User Agreements (Form 8) between the applicant and all users evaluating the chemical must be provided to NICNAS. Under the permit, all users, including the applicant(s), are considered permit holders and are bound by the conditions of the permit until the end of the evaluation.

Holders of a CEC permit must keep records about the chemical, must supply the records to NICNAS when the permit expires and may be subject to audit.

The person who introduces a chemical under a CEC is required to provide an annual report.

The following additional forms are available for CEC applications:

• Confidential information to remain exempt from the gazette notice (Form 3)

• Third party information to remain confidential from the applicant (Form 5)

• User Agreements (Form 8)

More information

• Section II of the NICNAS Handbook for Notifiers.