Performance information used for accounting against our outputs is shown in Table 3, while Table 4 provides a consolidated, itemised summary of NICNAS’s outputs and resources in 2006-07.

Table 3: NICNAS performance information against outputs

Indicator	PBS Performance measures
Policy advice
Quality, relevant and timely advice for Australian Government decision-making	Ministerial satisfaction
Agency-specific service delivery
Timeliness of evaluations and appeals of decisions on applications in relation to industrial chemicals	Evaluations and appeals of decisions made within legislated timeframes
Efficient issuing and reporting of permits and licences	Timeliness of permits and licences issued and reported
High level of compliance with the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 (the Act)	Breaches of the Act are investigated and appropriate action taken
Consultation with stakeholders on regulatory change in relation to industrial chemicals	Timeliness and thoroughness of consultation
International relationships facilitate cooperation and harmonisation in the implementation of regulatory controls for industrial chemicals	Cooperative arrangements in place with key international regulatory agencies Active participation in key international forums

Table 4: NICNAS outputs and resources – a consolidated summary

Team		Outputs	Number	Resource $’000
Assessment activities	New Chemicals	Certificate applications received	190	2113
		Certificates issued	185
		Permit applications received	168
		Permits issued	146
		Percentage of non self-assessed certificate assessments on time	96% (self assessed: 100%)
		MSDSs and labels assessed (approx)	>300
		LVC Exemptions	70
		Foreign Scheme Reports	29
		Self-assessments	13
		Consultations	23
		Site visits	3
	Existing Chemicals	Chemicals under assessment	80	2543
		PECs declared for assessment (includes secondary notifications)	1
		Screening/other assessments commenced	22
		Assessment modules completed (PEC and screening/other)	66
		Assessments completed (PEC and screening/other)	60
		Chemicals subject to post-assessment activity	1
		International hazard assessments completed	0
		Applications made to Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)	0
Compliance and Reporting activities		Tier 1 Registrants	4291	1 344
		Tier 2 Registrants	740
		Tier 3 Registrants	308
		New cases	63
		Cases closed	35
		Site visits	382
		Number of prosecutions	0
		Immediate AICS listing	34
		AICS chemicals searches	476
		AICS confidential listing	16
Business Management and Communication activities		Parliamentary service briefs	85	1440
		Enquiries – phone	4044
		Enquiries – written	1245
		New publications/documents	203
		Website hits	29.724m
		Website visitors	1.069m
		Training activities	6
		Presentations	20
		Conferences	9
		International meetings	24
Reform activities		New LRCC reforms implemented	0	361
		Public meetings	10
		Interim cosmetic permits issued	216
TOTAL				7801

Based on the NICNAS Operational Plan 2006-07, Table 5(a – e) provides a synopsis of NICNAS’s achievement of key performance outcomes during the year; the table links to more detailed information found elsewhere in this report.

Table 5A: NICNAS key performance outcomes – risk assessment and health standards¹
Outcome: High quality scientific assessments that represent best practice and that are produced to time, to quality and meet stakeholder needs

Description	Target	Performance measure	Met ?
Chemical assessment services
New chemicals assessment	All new notifications and assessments	100% of all screening and all notification timeframes met	96%
Existing chemicals assessment	Assessments equivalent to 3 PECs & 10 others completed	Timely, high quality reports produced	P
	Air toxics advice for Environmental Health	Timely and effective advice provided	P
	Emerging issues identified and responded to		P
	NDPSC assessments	Timely and effective advice provided and accepted	P
Professional advice to ASCC	Exposure standards as requested	Timely advice provided and accepted	P
Participate in best practice forums	IPCS harmonisation project	Outcomes incorporated into national methodologies and assessments	P
	Science Forum	National consistent approaches to emerging issues and methodologies	x
	OECD Chemical Programme (joint meeting)	National regulatory interests reflected in OECD priorities and OECD products promoting harmonisation incorporated in national assessment program	P
Regulatory efficiency
Contribute to international assessment harmonisation forums	OECD/SIARS IPCS/CICADS	International assessments incorporated into 25% of NICNAS Existing Chemicals Assessments	P
	OECD New Chemicals Taskforce meetings	Fee rebates utilised for New Chemicals notifications under foreign scheme (5% annual increase)	P
	OECD Existing Chemicals Taskforce meetings	National HVIC list maintained and drives assessment priority	P
	Bilateral with US and Canada	Harmonise regulation with North America and work-share programs	P
Finalise & implement EC Program Review findings	Recommendation agreed and implemented	All recommendations implemented by June 2007	partly
Complete & implement disinfectant review findings	Implementation complete	All agreed recommendations implemented by March 2007	X
Contribute to government regulation reviews	Quality and timely advice on chemical safety matters	Advice accepted – leads to improved regulatory frameworks	P

1. For explanations of all acronyms and other abbreviations used in these Table 5 A-E, please refer to Glossary, acronyms and abbreviations

Table 5B: NICNAS key performance outcomes – compliance
Outcome: Integrity of the regulatory system through fully compliant industry sectors

Description	Target	Performance measure	Met ?
Develop and deliver NICNAS strategies to enhance industry’s compliance capabilities	Targeted industry training – at least one training session	95% customer satisfaction	P
	Investigate and/or monitor compliance for NICNAS activities	100% of case work managed to completion in 100 days; Auditing and inspections plans met	P
	Improve NICNAS legislative framework	Implement penalty provisions following best practice models	x
	Give effect to Australia’s obligations under Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions	Accurate and timely reporting; 100% Industry compliance with convention obligations	P
	Annotate AICS online	Effective implementation of the AICS Annotation work plan	partly

Table 5C: NICNAS key performance outcomes – finance and cost recovery
Outcome: Sound and transparent fiscal management

Description	Target	Performance measure	Met ?
Monitor, report & review use of cost recovered monies	Deliver IGCC, DoHA, NICNAS quarterly/annual reports	Expenditure within 5% of annual budget;	x
		Reporting timeframes and requirements met	P
Manage finances in line with DoHA policy & stakeholder expectations	PBS, mid-year and 3-year forecasts, annual audit	Compliance with applicable policies and practices	P
Effective management of NICNAS Registration	Reduction in operating costs	5% reduction in administrative costs	P

Table 5D: NICNAS key performance outcomes – governance and engagement
Outcome: Well informed and actively engaged stakeholders

Description	Target	Performance measure	Met ?
Operate formal consultative and advisory mechanisms	Manage MOUs with states and territories, ERMA NZ, Customs	Performance targets of MOUs met	P
	Manage IGCC, CEF, TAG	Meet standard operating procedures and quality measures	P
	Effectively utilise OCS Advisory Group on Chemical Safety	Quality and timely: Issues papers & advice to NICNAS	P
Engage with the right people at the right time	Apply community engagement charter to all work	Enhanced effectiveness of consultation	P
Enhance public access to information	Produce effective communication tools	Improved access to and quality of chemical safety information; Improved online data systems enhancing customer interaction, with 5% growth in user sessions	P
	Free publications include: NICNAS Handbook, NICNAS Annual Report, Chemical Gazette etc	5% growth in access and 95% customer satisfaction based on survey	P
Maintain a customer & service delivery focus to meet Government policy	Conduct and report on an annual customer survey	Performance measured against NICNAS’s service charter	P
	Effective governance arrangements, regulatory performance & annual reports	All reporting timeframes met	P
	Effective outsourcing arrangements	Value for money achieved for outsourced services	P
Provide chemical policy* regulatory advice/service	Contribute technical advice and representation as required on: Chemicals Clearing House, National Nanotechnology strategy; Rotterdam, Stockholm, TTMRA, APEC	Advice is accepted; Advice delivered within timeframes	P
	Support Minister in relation to Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989	Timely and effective advice	P

* Office of Chemical Safety (OCS) has responsibility for the development of chemical policy.

Table 5E: NICNAS key performance outcomes – people
Outcome: We are capable and engaged

Description	Target	Performance measure	Met ?
Recognise and value our staff	Build on system of awards: team-member of the month, Duleep Jayamanne fellow-ship, annual innovation award	Awards granted based on quality criteria	P
Promote ownership and accountability for all our work	Conduct business planning and Performance Develop-ment Scheme (PDS) reviews, weekly team meetings, monthly office meetings, quarterly social functions	Business planning and reporting linked to PDS; Staff survey results	P
Develop effective leaders	Continue leadership program to realise Leadership Protocol	Staff share NICNAS’s vision (Leadership Protocol); PDSs reflect development needs	P
Be flexible, creative and innovative in our work	At least 2% of budget devoted to formal training in support of organisational goals and priorities	Expenditure target met	P
	Staff development programs	Staff meet capability map	P
Foster a climate of trust	Listen to and respect each other	All staff are committed to and fulfil the APS Code of Conduct and Values	P
	Value diversity	Harmony Day celebrated	P
Provide a safe, healthy and productive work environment	Monitor OHS conditions	Zero time lost to OHS problems; all OHS incidents acted on	P
	Operate a secure and healthy building	No security breaches; routine maintenance program met	P