Chemicals (excluding polymers of low concern): work out if you need to submit a specific information requirement (SIR) form

Use this guide if the chemical on the Inventory has an SIR term of listing (other than chemicals that were assessed as a polymer of low concern (PLC).

SIR terms of Inventory listing differ depending on whether the SIR was applied under AICIS, or whether it was carried over from our former scheme, NICNAS, under transitional laws.

SIRs for chemicals assessed under AICIS 

These apply to some chemicals that have been assessed or evaluated since AICIS began on 1 July 2020. 

For these chemicals, the Inventory chemical record will include:

• the SIR as a term of the Inventory listing, including a timeframe for when relevant information needs to be provided to AICIS
• a link to the assessment or evaluation statement.

Transitioned SIRs: chemicals assessed under NICNAS

These are secondary notification obligations under subsections 64(1) and 64(2) of the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989 that transitioned to become SIRs under AICIS for all chemicals assessed under NICNAS (except those assessed as polymers of low concern).

For these SIRs, the level of detail published in the SIR term of listing field in the Inventory chemical record varies. This is mainly due to whether the CAS number and/or chemical name is protected information, based on the NICNAS assessment.

Transitioned subsection 64(1) obligations 

These obligations apply only if the NICNAS assessment report recommended secondary notification of a chemical in particular circumstances - typically related to use or exposure of the chemical, such as the volume introduced into Australia or concentration of chemical in products. 

Relevant information must be provided to AICIS within 28 calendar days of a circumstance occurring.

If this applies, it will be indicated either:

• As part of the SIR term of listing in the Inventory chemical record.

Example: 
“A person introducing this chemical must tell us in writing within 28 calendar days if any of the following circumstances have occurred in relation to their introduction (importation or manufacture):
o    the importation volume exceeds one tonne per annum notified chemical” 
 

• Under the heading ‘secondary notification’ in the NICNAS assessment report.

Transitioned subsection 64(2) obligations

These apply to all chemicals assessed under NICNAS (except those assessed as polymers of low concern), even if not detailed in the NICNAS assessment report.

Relevant information must be provided within 28 calendar days of you becoming aware of a circumstance (even if it hasn’t yet occurred but is likely). 

You must compare the circumstances of the assessment with your own introduction circumstances. You must provide information to AICIS if:

1. the function or use of the chemical has changed, or is likely to change, significantly
2. the amount of the chemical being introduced has increased, or is likely to increase, significantly
3. in the case of a chemical not manufactured, or proposed to be manufactured, in Australia at the time of the assessment—it has begun to be manufactured in Australia
4. the method of manufacture of the chemical in Australia has changed, or is likely to change, in a way that may result in an increased risk of an adverse effect of the chemical on occupational health and safety, public health or the environment
5. additional information has become available to the person as to an adverse effect of the chemical on occupational health and safety, public health or the environment.

Who has the chemical identity information?

Choose from the following scenarios which are based on whether you know the chemical’s:

• CAS number
• CAS name
• AACN (AICIS approved chemical name).

Scenario 1: You know the chemical’s CAS number, CAS name or AACN (AICIS approved chemical name)

This means you can see the Inventory chemical record. Any SIR will display as a term of listing. 

The level of detail in the Inventory chemical record will vary as follows:

The Inventory chemical record includes a link to the report or statement - complete the questionnaire to work out if you must provide information about your introduction.
 

The Inventory chemical record does not include a link to the assessment report.

You have the following options:

Option 1: Search for the assessment report on our website.

If the CAS number or chemical name is protected information and wasn’t included in the assessment report, try using other identifiers if you have them. For example, the trade name or the assessment file name.

If you find the assessment report - complete the questionnaire to work out if you must provide information about your introduction.

Option 2: Ask the chemical supplier if they have access to the NICNAS chemical assessment report or if they can provide the detailed SIR circumstances about when information must be provided to AICIS.

If either of these are provided - complete the questionnaire to work out if you must provide information about your introduction.

If you cannot obtain this information 

Provide information about the chemical introduction to us by submitting the SIR form ‘Other SIR submissions’ in AICIS Business Services.

> Read our guidance for tips on completing the form 'Other SIR submissions'.

Scenario 2: You do not know the CAS number, CAS name or AACN – because it is proprietary information and cannot be given to you.

You have these options:

Option 1: It's preferred that the person who knows the chemical identity (such as chemical supplier or manufacturer) provides you with the relevant assessment report or statement. The public reports are available on the AICIS website and do not contain any protected information.

If the report is provided - complete the questionnaire to work out if you must provide information about your introduction.

Option 2: Alternatively, the person who knows the chemical identity could provide you with the detailed SIRs that describe the circumstances of when information must be provided to AICIS.

If this information is provided - complete the questionnaire to work out if you must provide information about your introduction.

Option 3: The person who knows the chemical identity can also complete the questionnaire and provide you with written confirmation of the outcome.

This could apply if the person who knows the chemical identity also knows the detailed SIRs - the introduction/use circumstances about when information must be provided to AICIS.

If none of these options apply

Log into AICIS Business Services to provide information about your chemical introduction, by submitting the SIR form ‘other SIR submissions’.

> Read our guidance for tips on completing the ‘other SIR submissions’ form.

Questionnaire - do you need to submit an SIR form?

Use this questionnaire to help work out if you need to tell us anything about your introduction by submitting an SIR form. 

To do this, you must compare the detailed SIR circumstances with the circumstances of your own introduction. This may require access to certain information from the original assessment – such as the uses, introduction volumes, or manufacturing methods. 

After you complete the questionnaire

If you work out that you do need to tell us information about your introduction, log in to AICIS Business Services and submit the SIR form called ‘SIR details known’. 

If you work out that you don’t need to tell us information about your introduction, keep a record of the basis of the decision.

Start the questionnaire

See our tips and hints at the end of each question to help guide you with your answers.

You must answer every question. We recommend you make notes if you are given a particular outcome at the end of a question.  

Question 1 - Is there an SIR which requires you to provide information within a set timeframe of a particular circumstance occurring?  

> If you answered yes, go to question 2. 

> If you answered no, go to question 3.

Tips and hints

• Answer yes if the SIR term of listing includes the text
  
  “A person introducing this chemical must tell us in writing within 28 calendar days if any of the following circumstances have occurred in relation to their introduction (importation or manufacture):…”
   
• If the secondary notification section in the NICNAS assessment report:
  • references ‘64(1)’ – answer yes
  • doesn’t reference ‘64(1)’ – answer no.
• If the SIR only indicates general circumstances that you must tell us if you ‘become aware’ of (transitioned subsection 64(2) obligations) – answer no.
• If you’re still not sure and don’t have a copy of the assessment report – you can provide information about your introduction via the SIR form ‘other SIR submissions’

Question 2 - Do the circumstances apply to your introduction? This question relates to the SIR circumstances where information must be provided to us within a set timeframe after a particular circumstance occurs. 

> If the answer is yes: 

1. Tell us about the relevant circumstance within the timeframe specified in the SIR.
2. Go to question 3 to see if you need to tell us about other information.

> If the answer is no: 

1. We do not need to be told information about these SIR circumstances.
2. Go to question 3 to see if you need to tell us about other information.

Tips, hints and examples

• This question includes considering any circumstances below the text
  
  “A person introducing this chemical must tell us in writing within 28 calendar days if any of the following circumstances have occurred in relation to their introduction (importation or manufacture):…” .
   
• This question includes considering any 64(1) circumstances.
• Read the obligations described, then compare the particular circumstances with your own introduction to work out if the information requirement applies in your case.
• If there is a concentration threshold specified, and your chemical supplier cannot share the actual concentration of chemical with you (due to confidentiality), they can instead tell you:
  • i) a ‘masked’ upper concentration limit (e.g. <1% instead of the actual 0.1%) or
  • ii) that it is within the concentration limit specified in the SIR (if applicable).

Example

SIR text:

“A person introducing this chemical must tell us in writing within 28 calendar days if any of the following circumstances have occurred in relation to their introduction (importation or manufacture):

- the importation volume exceeds one tonne per annum notified chemical
- the concentration of chemical in end use products exceeds 3%

Your introduction: The volume of chemical you expect to import is 1.5 tonnes per year – which is more than the 1 tonne threshold. Your supplier confirms the concentration of chemical in end use products does not exceed 3%. 

Outcome: You must tell us if the import volume of 1 tonne has been exceeded. You must tell us within 28 calendar days of it occurring. You keep a record from your supplier to show that the concentration in end use products is not more than 3% concentration. 

Question 3 - Are there SIRs that require you to provide information within a set timeframe of becoming aware of a circumstance or likely circumstance (i.e. if transitioned subsection 64(2) obligations apply)?

> If the answer is yes or unsure, go to question 4. 

> If the answer is no, go to Outcomes.

Tip

The answer will be yes for all chemicals assessed under NICNAS (due to transitioned subsection 64(2) obligations), except those assessed as polymers of low concern. This includes where the NICNAS assessment report does not detail these obligations.

Question 4 - Has ‘the function or use of the chemical changed, or is it likely to change, significantly’?

> If the answer is yes: 

1. You must tell us about the change in use within 28 calendar days (even if it hasn’t yet occurred but is likely).
2. Go to question 5 to see if you need to tell us about other information.  

> If the answer is no: 

1. We don’t need to be told about changes in function or use. You should keep a record of the basis of your decision.
2. Go to question 5 to see if you need to tell us about other information. 

Tips, hints and examples

Compare your introduction with our original assessment. Remember that we need to receive information that may indicate new or increased risks for a chemical introduction, when compared with any risks that we previously identified. 

1. End use of the chemical: Consider if the end use of the chemical has changed, or is intended to change, significantly. Compare the types of products at end use for your introduction with those under the original assessment and consider if the change in product type would result in increased exposure of the chemicals to humans and/or the environment.
2. Who the chemical will be sold to or made available to: Consider if who the chemical (or products containing it) will be made available to, has changed, or is intended to change. For example, was the chemical assessed as having industrial use only, and will now be available to members of the public?
3. Concentration of the chemical: If members of the public will be exposed to the chemical and the maximum concentration of the chemical in end use products is known to you, consider if the concentration of the chemical has changed, or is intended to change, significantly. You don’t need to actively source concentration information for this question, but consider it if you know it.

Example 1:
Original assessment: The chemical was assessed as a component of an automotive paint for professional application.

Your introduction: The chemical will be used as a component of decorative paints and coatings, available to the public. The concentration of the chemical in the paints is not known to you.

Outcome: You consider this to be a significant change in use as there is increased exposure to the public. You provide us with details of the changed use.

Example 2:
Original assessment: The chemical was assessed as a component of rinse-off cosmetic products at up to 3% concentration.

Your introduction: The chemical will be used as a component of rinse-off and leave-on cosmetic products. The maximum concentration of the chemical in the cosmetic products is not known to you.

Outcome: You consider this to be a significant change in use as there is increased exposure to the public due to longer contact with the skin. You provide us with details of the changed use.

Example 3:
Original assessment: The chemical was assessed as a catalyst in a chemical reaction (which  leads to only limited environmental release).

Your introduction: The chemical will be used in a cleaning agent that could have widespread environmental release. 

Outcome: You consider this to be a significant change in use due to the increased release to the environment. You provide us with details of the changed use.

Example 4:
Original assessment: The chemical was assessed as a component of dishwashing detergents.

Your introduction: The chemical will be used in laundry detergents. The maximum concentration of the chemical in the laundry detergents is not known to you. 

Outcome: You don’t consider this to be a significant change in use as both uses result in release to the sewer and involve limited and rinse-off human contact. You don’t provide us with details of the changed use.  

Example 5:
Original assessment: The chemical was assessed as a fragrance ingredient in products at up to 1% concentration.

Your introduction: The chemical will be used in a variety of products at up to 5% concentration. 

Outcome: You know the concentration has increased and consider that this could indicate an increased risk to the public You provide us with details of the changed concentration at end use.

Question 5 - Has the amount of chemical being manufactured or imported (introduced) into Australia changed, or is it likely to change, significantly’?

> If the answer is yes: 

1. You must tell us about the change in amount (volume) of chemical within 28 calendar days (even if it hasn’t yet occurred but is likely).
2. Go to question 6 to see if you need to tell us about other information.  

> If the answer is no: 

1. We don’t need to be told about a change in amount of chemical. You should keep a record of the basis of your decision.
2. Go to question 6 to see if you need to tell us about other information. 

Tips, hints and examples

• Compare your introduction with our original assessment. Remember that we need to receive information that may indicate new or increased risks for a chemical introduction, when compared with any risks that we previously identified.
• Typically, a 10-fold increase in volume would be a significant increase.
• If less than a 10-fold increase is proposed, consider if the volume increase could indicate an increased risk for a chemical introduction, based on what you know about the chemical and the exposure scenario. For example, chemicals that are classified as hazardous to the environment and that will be released to the environment.

Example 1:
Original assessment: The chemical was assessed based on import of up to 5 tonnes of chemical per year as a component of laundry detergent.

Your introduction: The chemical will be imported up to 50 tonnes per year as a component of laundry detergent.

Outcome: You consider this to be a significant increase in volume as it is a 10-fold increase and the use in laundry detergents means it will be released to the environment. You provide us with details of the changed volume.

Example 2:
Original assessment: The chemical was assessed based on import of up to 1 tonne of chemical per year as a component of cosmetic products.

Your introduction: the chemical will be imported up to 8 tonnes per year as a component of cosmetic products.

Outcome: While the volume increase is less than a 10-fold increase, you know that your chemical is classified as toxic to the environment and will be released to the environment, based on use in cosmetic products. You consider that this could indicate an increased risk associated with the chemical introduction. You provide us with details of the changed volume. 

Question 6 - Will you manufacture the chemical in Australia?

> If the answer is yes, go to question 7. 

> If the answer is no, go to question 9.

Helpful hint

• Answer ‘no’ if you will only import the chemical into Australia (including if it will be reformulated for end use whilst in Australia).

Question 7 - Was the chemical originally assessed for manufacture in Australia?

> If the answer is yes:

1. We don’t need to be told that your chemical has begun to be manufactured in Australia. You should keep a record of the basis of your decision.
2. Go to question 8 to see if you need to tell us about other information.

> If the answer is no:

1. You must tell us that your chemical has begun to be manufactured in Australia.
2. Go to question 9 to see if you need to tell us about other information. 

Tip:
This question refers to manufacture of the chemical itself.

Question 8 - Has there been a change, or likely change, in the method of manufacture of your chemical in Australia?

> If the answer is yes: 

1. You must tell us about the change(s) to the method of manufacture of the chemical if the change could result in an increased risk of an adverse effect of the chemical on occupational health and safety, public health or the environment.
2. Go to question 9 to see if you need to tell us about other information.  

> If the answer is no: 

1. You don’t need to tell us about the method of manufacture of the chemical in Australia. You should keep a record of the basis of your decision.
2. Go to question 9 to see if you need to tell us about other information. 

Tips and hints

• You must compare your method of manufacture with the information in the original assessment report.
• Example of changes to the method of manufacture that should be considered are:
  • changing from a closed process to an open system
  • using different raw materials
  • using different processing conditions
  • increasing the number of workers required to handle the chemical
  • changing the method of waste disposal
• If the chemical was originally assessed for import into Australia and it will now be manufactured in Australia – answer no.

Question 9 - Do you need to tell us about additional information that has become available to you related to an adverse effect of the chemical on occupational health and safety, public health or the environment?

> If the answer is yes:  

1. Tell us about the additional information.
2. Go to 'Outcomes’ below.   

> If the answer is no:

1. We don’t need to be told that information has become available. You should keep a record of the basis of your decision.
2. Go to ‘Outcomes’ below.   

Tips, hints and examples 

• This is required for all chemicals assessed under NICNAS (except those assessed as polymers of low concern).
• For chemicals assessed or evaluated under AICIS, there is a similar obligation to report information, but it is not done via the SIR-form. 

Example 1: 
Original assessment: NICNAS assessed the chemical in 2015 and concluded that it is a skin irritant.

Your introduction: You have a 2020 study report concluding that the chemical has skin-sensitising properties.

Outcome: You provide us with skin sensitisation information on the chemical. 

Example 2: 
Original assessment: NICNAS assessed the chemical in 2010 and concluded that the chemical was not toxic to aquatic life.
Your introduction: You have information from an international source (dated 2021) that the chemical is bioaccumulative and very toxic to aquatic life.
Outcome: You provide us with information related to potential environmental effects.