Media Release - AICS NOW ONLINE
6 Jan 2004
The non-confidential section of the Australian Inventory of Chemical
Substances (AICS) is now available on the NICNAS web site at
www.nicnas.gov.au
This event meets demand from both local and international users of AICS
to have it available through the Internet. The data will be updated
every fortnight.
With the move from CD-ROM to the web, some services provided by NICNAS
will change while others will remain the same or be enhanced. For
example, fees for searching the non-confidential section will be
introduced except for the public. Details can be found in the December
issue of NICNAS matters.
AICS is the legal device that distinguishes new from existing chemicals
in Australia. The AICS contains over 38,000 chemicals. It is a list of
chemical identity data, and does not contain information on toxicity,
use, manufacturers or importers. It is comprised of non-confidential
(public) and confidential sections, and now has a new feature advising
whether the chemical has been assessed or not.
Any chemical not included in AICS is regarded as a new industrial
chemical unless it is outside the scope of the Industrial Chemicals
(Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 or is otherwise exempt from
notification. New industrial chemicals must be notified and assessed
before being manufactured or imported into Australia.
AICS is a key NICNAS compliance tool and all importers or manufacturers
of industrial chemicals are required to know whether their chemicals are
on AICS or not. Chemicals not on the AICS must be notified to the
regulator for assessment.
About NICNAS
The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme
(NICNAS) operates under the Commonwealth Industrial Chemicals
(Notification and Assessment) Act 1989.
NICNAS is a statutory scheme within the portfolio of the Minister for
Health and Ageing. Its approach to the scientific assessment of
chemicals covers toxicity, exposure and use to assess the environmental,
public health and occupational health and safety risk. For more
information see the web site
www.nicnas.gov.au
Further information
Nick Miller, NICNAS, (02) 8577 8810 or 0407 228 285
