National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme – NICNAS
This statutory scheme administered by the Australian Government Department of Health, was established in July 1990 under the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Act 1989.
NICNAS is responsible for:
- Assessing new industrial chemicals for human health and/or environmental impacts: Industrial chemicals include chemicals used in solvents, adhesives, plastics, paints, inks, fuels, or laboratory reagents, as well as in refrigeration, cosmetics and household cleaning.
- Maintaining the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS):
- Reviewing existing industrial chemicals of concern either as priority existing chemicals, secondary notifications (reassessment of a chemical) or targeted assessments addressing specific health and environmental concerns
- Providing information on the human health and environmental impacts of industrial chemicals and making recommendations on their safe use:
There are always changes in the area of chemical safety due to the continuous work in this area that a check on their website is a must for WHS practitioners e.g. it’s interesting that Denmark has restricted the import, sale and use of phthalates (including DMEP) in toys and childcare articles for children aged 0–3 years, while this is not the case in the USA ( at this stage)
A report and a plain English guide on the use and potential health effects on DMEP is available on their website: http://www.nicnas.gov.au/communications/publications/information-sheets/existing-chemical-info-sheets/dimethoxyethylphthalate-dmep
For assistance in any aspect of workplace chemical safety please contact us, Safety Services Australia on +61 9634 5912 or send your query to info@safetyservices.net.au
