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Decision tool – Work out if your introduction is categorised as exempted

This decision tool is related to step 2 of the process to categorise your chemical introduction.

Important

This decision tool is general guidance only. You cannot use a completed decision tool as an evidence or record that you have correctly categorised your introduction. You also cannot use a completed decision tool to meet your record-keeping requirements.

Who should use this?

This decision tool will help you determine if your introduction is in the exempted category. There are 1‐7 questions depending on your circumstances. This tool refers to the Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines and Industrial Chemicals General Rules which you can find on our Industrial chemicals laws in Australia page.

Are you planning to introduce a chemical only for research and development?

If yes go to our separate R&D decision tool to check whether your introduction (chemical importation or manufacture) meets the AICIS criteria for research and development (R&D) in the exempted or reported category.

What you need to know

Information about the following – does the introduction meet the criteria for:

  • soap manufactured in Australia
  • an introduction that is imported then exported
  • a polymer comparable to a listed polymer
  • a chemical comparable to a listed chemical
  • a polymer of low concern (PLC)
  • a low concern biological polymer
  • a chemical resulting from non‐functionalised surface treatment of listed chemicals

Optional: If you’d like to save or print your completed decision tool for your own records, enter your chemical’s name or CAS number before Question 1. To save as a PDF, select the print option in your browser and choose ‘Save as PDF’ or ‘Microsoft Print to PDF’. For Safari users, click 'File' and 'Export to PDF'.

What is your chemical's name or CAS number? (optional)

Note: enter this information if you'd like to save a copy for your own records by using the print function in your browser. A completed decision tool is not sufficient to meet your record-keeping obligations. 

Enter the CAS number or chemical name

Question 1

Is your introduction for research and development purposes?

We have a separate decision tool for R&D introductions which you can use to see if your introduction meets AICIS criteria for R&D in the exempted or reported category.

More information:
Note, research and development chemicals cannot be made available to consumers/the public.

Go to the research and development decision tool.

Question 2

Does your introduction meet the criteria for either:

  • an introduction that's imported then exported (refer to Subsection 26(2) of the General Rules), or
  • an introduction of soap manufactured in Australia (refer to Subsection 26(9) of the General Rules)?

Question 3

Does your introduction meet the criteria for an introduction that's a polymer comparable to a listed polymer (refer to Subsection 26(4) of the General Rules)?

Question 4

Does your introduction meet the criteria for an introduction that's a chemical comparable to a listed chemical (refer to Subsection 26(5) of the General Rules)?

Question 5

Is your introduction for a polymer one that:

  • meets the criteria for an introduction of a polymer of low concern (PLC) (refer to Schedule 2 of the General Rules)

    and

  • isn't a high molecular polymer with lung overloading potential (refer to Part 3.1 of the Categorisation Guidelines)

Question 6

Does your introduction meet the criteria for an introduction of a low concern biological polymer (refer to Subsection 26(7) of the General Rules)?

Question 7

Does your introduction meet the criteria for a chemical resulting from non‐functionalised surface treatment of listed chemicals (refer to Subsection 26(8) of the General Rules)?

Your introduction is in the exempted category.

Go to Decision tool – Work out if your introduction is categorised as reported.

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