Due by 30 November: annual declaration and exempted (post-introduction) declarations for 2023-2024

Sub menu

Decision tool - Do I need to register as a soap introducer?

Start the questionnaire

See our tips and examples as you work through the decision tool. If you need more general information about soap introductions, visit our page soap making and importing. 

Is the soap that you make or import ONLY for your own personal use or given away as gifts to family and friends, or sold for no profit?

Outcome

You do not need to register with AICIS based on the circumstances of your soap introduction. 

More information
Soap making and importing
Business, hobby or personal use

Do you make soap in Australia by mixing lye (aqueous sodium hydroxide or aqueous potassium hydroxide) with fat(s) or oil(s)?

 

Example

Soap made using aqueous sodium hydroxide and coconut oil.
Do you use more than 10 kilograms of ANY fat or oil to make your soap in an AICIS registration year (1 September to 31 August)?


 

Examples

If you make 2 types of soap in an AICIS registration year using 9 kilograms of olive oil and 10 kilograms of coconut oil, then answer 'no'

If you use more than 10 kilograms of any fat or oil in an AICIS registration year, then answer 'yes'
Are ALL the fats or oils that you use to make your soap on the Inventory?

The Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (Inventory) is a searchable database of around 40,000 chemicals that are being manufactured or imported (introduced) into Australia for industrial use.

Is your chemical on the Inventory?

Search the Inventory using the CAS number of the fat or oil you used to make your soap. 

To help you, below is a table of commonly used fats and oils that are on the Inventory (but is not a comprehensive list).

If the fat or oil you're using isn't in the table and you don't have the information you need to search the Inventory, please contact your supplier for the CAS number (best option), or the chemical name. If you cannot find your chemical on the Inventory, answer 'no' to this question.

Examples of oils used to make soap

Chemical name

CAS number 

Castor oil

8001-79-4

Coconut oil

61789-30-8

Cottonseed oil

8001-29-4

Linseed oil

8001-26-1

Olive oil

8001-25-0

Palm kernel oil

8023-79-8

Soybean oil

8001-22-7

Sunflower oil

8001-21-6

Tallow

61789-97-7

Outcome

You must register your business with AICIS. 

As you need to register, you'll also need to categorise chemical introductions and meet any obligations associated with the introduction category.

Get started by visiting our Soap making and importing page.

Do you add any other ingredients to your soap? For example, fragrance, dye, colour or other additives.
Do you make soap by mixing or blending the ingredients from a melt-and-pour base or kit?


 

What is blending

Blending is commonly described as the process of mixing two or more chemicals together without producing a chemical reaction or creating more industrial chemicals as a result. Many consumer and cosmetic products containing industrial chemicals are mixtures formed by blending.

 
Do you buy and re-sell ready-made, packaged or unpackaged soap?

Outcome

You do not need to register with AICIS based on the circumstances of this soap introduction. 

More information
Soap making and importing

Outcome

You must register your business with AICIS. 

As you need to register, you'll also need to categorise chemical introductions and meet any obligations associated with the introduction category.

Get started by visiting our Soap making and importing page.

Outcome

You do not need to register with AICIS based on for the circumstances of this soap introduction. 

Learn more about soap introductions

Business, hobby or personal use
Soap making and importing

Outcome

You must register your business with AICIS because of the ingredients that you are importing to add to your soap. 

As you need to register, you'll also need to categorise chemical introductions and meet any obligations associated with the introduction category.

Get started by visiting our Soap making and importing page.

Soap making and importing

If you’re planning to sell soaps that you make or import, you may need to register your business with us and check that your ingredients are on our Inventory.
Was this page helpful?
For broken links or technical issues, please provide as much detail as possible. Do not include your name, email address and other personal or commercially sensitive information.

Keep informed with updates