External Accountability Arrangements –
NICNAS Committees/Forums

NICNAS IGCC – Terms of Reference and Membership

Terms of Reference

In March 1997, the Government agreed to amend the Act to introduce new
funding arrangements for NICNAS. Under these arrangements, the chemical
industry will directly contribute to the operating costs of NICNAS.

In order to ensure that industry has the opportunity to participate in the
NICNAS budgetary process, a joint IGCC was established. The Committee
meets at least twice a year.

The Committee has eight members, including four industry representatives
and four Government representatives. The membership consists
of one representative from each of the following organisations:

Industry

• Australian Consumer & Specialty Products Association (ACSPA)
• Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA)
• Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation (APMF)
• Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)

Government

• NICNAS (Chair)
• NOHSC
• Australian Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources
  (DITR)
• DEH

Given the integral relationship between the Director, NICNAS and the
National Manager of the TGA Group of Regulators, the National Manager,
TGA Group of Regulators, will be an ex-officio member of the IGCC.

The IGCC:
(a) reviews the utilisation of resources against NICNAS objectives;
(b) reviews the performance of NICNAS against agreed performance
      indicators (including those established in the NICNAS Service Charter
      and Corporate Plan), and in particular the impact on industry
      and the protection of human health and the environment;
(c) develops strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness
     of NICNAS operations within the context of (i) established goals
     and objectives and (ii) developing and emerging issues; and
(d) develops compliance strategies and monitors the effectiveness
     of these strategies in promoting compliance with the Scheme.

The Chair of the Committee reported as necessary (at least every six
months) to the Minister on the outcomes of the Committee. In addition to
the meetings outlined below, the IGCC held an out-of-session meeting on 27
May 2004 to consider proposed increases to fees and charges for 2004-05.

IGCC Membership at 30 June 2004 and attendance at 2003-04 meetings

NICNAS CEF – Terms of Reference and
Membership

The Terms of Reference for the CEF ensure that it will provide advice on:

• strategies to improve public access to chemical health and safety
   and environmental standards;
• community right to know issues including the development
   of a community right to know charter;
• the development of NICNAS’s stakeholder engagement policies;
• all NICNAS reform programs and participate where practicable; and
• other issues, as required.

The CEF consists of seven members and is chaired by the Director
of NICNAS. Membership comprises of the:

• Chair (Director NICNAS);
• two community members representing the interests of the environment;
• two community members representing the interests of public health; and
• two non-government members representing the interests of worker
   safety.

Nominations for membership were sought from peak national bodies
recognised by DoHA as representing the interests of public health,
environmental standards and worker health and safety. Members were
chosen for their expertise in the following areas:

• knowledge of industrial chemicals in a regulatory context;
• ability to represent a broad cross section of community views;
• understanding of community concerns related to the regulation
   of chemicals; and
• knowledge of Government processes involving industrial
   chemicals regulation.

While members have been nominated by specific organisations, they
represent broad community interests in their respective areas and not simply
the interests of their nominating or originating organisations. Members
are appointed by the Parliamentary Secretary for a two year term.

The CEF met formally three times in 2003-04. The 3rd Meeting
on 7 May 2004 included a joint morning session with the NICNAS IGCC.
A teleconference was held in the afternoon of 7 May 2004 to discuss
NICNAS’s Community Right to Know Charter and for NICNAS to provide
details on the LRCC reforms to members. An additional workshop was held
on 11 June 2004 to discuss NICNAS’s Community Engagement Strategy
and the CEF’s input into the Review of the Existing Chemicals Program.

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NICNAS/States and Territories MOU Group –
Terms of Reference and Membership

The States and Territories MOU group exists as a conduit for the free flow
of information and needs between the States and Territories and NICNAS
on OHS, environmental and health matters relating to the use of chemicals
in Australia.

Each jurisdiction has a representative nominated as a member of the
MOU. That person liaises with contacts from various departments with
a role in chemical safety, such as environment, health, and Workcover within
their State or Territory. This allows those regulating and controlling chemicals
to raise issues of concern regarding chemicals with the Australian
Government through their MOU representative and for NICNAS and its
partner agencies to pass information to those involved in the day-to-day
implementation of chemical regulation and policy.

The MOU was signed in 1991 with the intention of formally recording
arrangements to facilitate the operation of the Act, under which NICNAS
was established, and States and Territories legislation relating to industrial
chemicals. Under the MOU, each State and Territory is to consider and
wherever possible implement each recommendation in an assessment
report published by the Director, NICNAS and to inform the Director
of any consequential action taken in respect of any recommendations. The
agreement also provides mechanisms in relation to facilitating the operation
of specific sections of the Act relating to new and existing chemicals.

MOU Group Membership as at 30 June 2004 and attendance at
2003-04 meetings