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Decision tool – Work out your environment categorisation volume

This decision tool is related to step 5.3 of the process to categorise your chemical introduction.

Optional: If you’d like to save or print your completed decision tool for your own records, click on ‘Chemical identity’ before Question 1 and enter your chemical’s name or CAS number. Note that a copy of a completed decision tool is not sufficient to meet your record-keeping obligations. 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'.

Who should use this?

This decision tool will help you work out your environment categorisation volume (ECV). You need to know your ECV to work out the environment exposure band for your introduction. There are 1‐5 questions depending on your circumstances. This tool refers to the Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines.

See the full list of decision tools to help you categorise your introduction

Help us improve these tools by giving us your feedback.

What you might need to know

  • your chemical's introduction volume
  • if you have multiple end uses for your chemical
  • the end use(s) for your chemical in Australia

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

Do you need help to work out your chemical's ECV?

You should now complete Decision tool – Work out your environment exposure band.

There are 2 methods to work out your chemical's ECV.

  • Method 1 (Simple) – The ECV is the sum of all introduction volumes for all of your chemical's end uses in a registration year.
  • Method 2 (Detailed) – This might result in an ECV lower than the total introduction volume in a registration year. This could mean your introduction ends up in a lower environment exposure band (EEB) than if you'd used the total introduction volume.

Question 2

Which method will you use to calculate the ECV?

Make a note of your ECV, then complete Decision tool – Work out your environment exposure band.

Question 3

Does your chemical have more than 1 end use?

Question 4

Do you know your chemical’s introduction volume for each of its end uses?

Question 5

If the introduction volume for any of your chemical’s end uses change, will you ensure your introduction’s indicative environment risk doesn’t increase?

Calculate your ECV using the following equation.

ECV = IV x RRF

IV is your chemical's total introduction volume.

RRF is the release reduction factor for your chemical's end use scenario. Choose the appropriate RRF from the following table. You can read more about RRFs in Part 2.1.2 of our Categorisation Guidelines.

End use scenario Release reduction factor
Chemical imported into Australia; import containers remain closed; then exported for end use overseas 0
Chemical imported into Australia; limited handling of the chemical (such that import containers are opened); then exported for end use overseas 0.05
Chemical manufactured in Australia; exported for end use overseas 0.05
Adhesive and sealant products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Apparel and footwear care products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Arts, crafts and hobby products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Explosive products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Fuel, oil, fuel oil additives and related products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Lubricant and grease products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Personal care products ‐ limited environmental release (end use in Australia) 0.05
Tattoo ink products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Paint and coating products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Plastic and polymer products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Construction products not covered by other end uses (end use in Australia) 0.2
Fabric, textile and leather products not covered by other end uses (end use in Australia) 0.4
Electronic products (end use in Australia) 0.5
Ink, toner and colourant products (end use in Australia) 0.8
Air care products (end use in Australia) 1
Anti‐freeze and de‐icing products (end use in Australia) 1
Automotive care products (end use in Australia) 1
Cleaning and furniture care products (end use in Australia) 1
Laundry and dishwashing products (end use in Australia) 1
Extractive products not covered by other end uses (end use in Australia) 1
Paper products (end use in Australia) 1
Personal care products not covered by other end use (end use in Australia) 1
Photographic products (end use in Australia) 1
Water treatment products (end use in Australia) 1
Personal vaporiser products (end use in Australia) 1
Any other end use not covered above (end use in Australia) 1

Make a note of your ECV, then complete Decision tool – Work out your environment exposure band.

Calculate the ECV for each of your chemical's end uses then add them together for your overall ECV.

Calculate your ECV using the following equation.

ECV = IV x RRF

IV is your chemical's total introduction volume.

RRF is the release reduction factor for your chemical's end use scenario. Choose the appropriate RRF from the following table. You can read more about RRFs in Part 2.1.2 of our Categorisation Guidelines.

End use scenario Release reduction factor
Chemical imported into Australia; import containers remain closed; then exported for end use overseas 0
Chemical imported into Australia; limited handling of the chemical (such that import containers are opened); then exported for end use overseas 0.05
Chemical manufactured in Australia; exported for end use overseas 0.05
Adhesive and sealant products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Apparel and footwear care products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Arts, crafts and hobby products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Explosive products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Fuel, oil, fuel oil additives and related products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Lubricant and grease products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Personal care products ‐ limited environmental release (end use in Australia) 0.05
Tattoo ink products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Paint and coating products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Plastic and polymer products (end use in Australia) 0.05
Construction products not covered by other end uses (end use in Australia) 0.2
Fabric, textile and leather products not covered by other end uses (end use in Australia) 0.4
Electronic products (end use in Australia) 0.5
Ink, toner and colourant products (end use in Australia) 0.8
Air care products (end use in Australia) 1
Anti‐freeze and de‐icing products (end use in Australia) 1
Automotive care products (end use in Australia) 1
Cleaning and furniture care products (end use in Australia) 1
Laundry and dishwashing products (end use in Australia) 1
Extractive products not covered by other end uses (end use in Australia) 1
Paper products (end use in Australia) 1
Personal care products not covered by other end use (end use in Australia) 1
Photographic products (end use in Australia) 1
Water treatment products (end use in Australia) 1
Personal vaporiser products (end use in Australia) 1
Any other end use not covered above (end use in Australia) 1

Make a note of your ECV, then complete Decision tool – Work out your environment exposure band.

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