In Australia, cosmetics are defined as industrial products as per the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 (ICNA Act). In 1990, the Australian National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) was formed to govern chemical notification and assessment, which is now replaced by AICIS.

Transition from NICNAS to AICIS

The Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 (IC Act 2019) introduces a new regulation system for the import and production of industrial chemicals in Australia, named as the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS).

With effect from July 1, 2020, the Australian Industrial Chemicals Inventory (AIIC), formerly known as AICS, will be referred to as the 'inventory'. Although many chemicals, which were never deployed industrially and were listed in the NICNAS inventory, are now excluded from the new inventory. Manufacturers can only use such chemicals until August 31, 2022 with respect to chemicals in compliance with NICNAS exemptions.

With the constantly evolving Regulatory developments, Chemicals are regulated differently across the regions. Hence, all the stakeholders involved in chemicals manufacturing, distribution and marketing are recommended to act swiftly and get expert support to comply with the ongoing Regulatory requirements. Stay up to date. Stay compliant.