Media Release - NEW CRITERIA AFFECTS CONFIDENTIAL LISTING

 

21 Jun 1999

Under new criteria being drafted, confidential listing on the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS) now needs to consider the public interest as well as the commercial interest.

All existing industrial chemicals that are currently, or have been, in commercial use in Australia are listed in AICS. The inventory is divided into an open, non-confidential section and a confidential section. Chemicals are listed in the confidential section only if commercial interests outweigh the public interest.

Public interest criteria have been drafted by an independent specialist advisory panel and include factors such as the potential for adverse effects on human health and the environment. The panel was selected for their knowledge of chemicals and regulations issues, particularly concerning confidentiality, commercial matters and public right to know considerations.

The Draft Guidelines for Establishing a Case for Confidential Listing of Chemicals on the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances have been released for wide public comment and are open for discussion through a series of public meetings.

General enquiries should be directed to NICNAS on freecall 1800 638 528 or (02) 9577 9514.
 

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