Exempted introduction declarations

What is a post-introduction declaration for exempted introductions?

This is a once-off declaration you must submit for the following exempted introductions on the first time that you're importing or manufacturing them:

• polymers of low concern
• low-concern biopolymers
• chemicals that you have categorised as very low risk for human health and the environment

Although these chemical introductions are categorised as exempted, we still need to know about them. It helps us to target our audits, and reassures our community stakeholders that you can demonstrate that these chemical introductions are very low risk.

When you must submit an exempted post-introduction declaration

Your first exempted introduction declaration is due by 30 November 2021 and covers the period 1 July 2020 - 31 August 2021.

From 2022, you must submit your declaration by 30 November each year following the end of the previous registration year: 1 September - 31 August. 

This only applies to:

• polymers of low concern
• low-concern biopolymers
• chemicals that you have categorised as very low risk for human health and the environment

After that, you will no longer need to submit another exempted introduction declaration for the same chemical introductions.

Exempted introduction declarations are separate to your annual declaration obligations. We have further guidance on annual declarations for all introducers.

Who must submit an exempted post-introduction declaration?

The registered importer or manufacturer who introduced the chemicals must submit the declaration.

How to submit an exempted post-introduction declaration

A form will be available on AICIS Business Services in 2021. Your first declaration covers the period 1 July 2020 - 31 August 2021.

Information you need

Before you start, check that you have the following information.

If you’re introducing polymers of low concern

You must know the total number of different polymers that you’re introducing. You only need to submit one post-introduction declaration regardless of how many new polymers of low concern you introduced in a registration year.

If you’re introducing low-concern biopolymers

You must include the total number of different polymers that you’re introducing. You only need to submit one post-introduction declaration regardless of how many new low-concern biopolymers you introduced in a registration year.

If you’re introducing chemicals that you’ve categorised as very low risk for human health and the environment

You must submit a separate post-introduction declaration for each new chemical or polymer you have introduced in a registration year.

If you know the proper name for the industrial chemical, you’ll need the CAS or IUPAC name and the CAS number (if assigned).

If you don’t know the proper name for the industrial chemical you have introduced and the total introduction volume of that chemical during the registration year is 10kg or less, you’ll need the name you use to refer to the chemical and the name of the supplier or manufacturer who knows its proper chemical name.

If you don’t know the proper name for the industrial chemical, and the total volume introduced during the registration year is more than 10kg, you’ll need the name you use to refer to the chemical and the name of the supplier or manufacturer who provided the CAS or IUPAC name and the CAS number (if assigned) to our Executive Director.

You will also need:

• the total volume of the industrial chemical introduced during the registration year
• the end use for the industrial chemical
• the maximum concentration of the industrial chemical at end use

If you’re introducing a chemical for an end use in cosmetics (or multiple end uses that include cosmetics), your declaration must also confirm that you have complied with the rules on using animal test data to categorise your introduction - see rules on use of animal test data.

Next steps: Submit an exempted introduction declaration