Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS (NOTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT) ACT 1989 - SECT 21

             (1)  A person must not introduce a new industrial chemical.

Penalty:  300 penalty units.

          (1A)  Subsection (1) does not apply if the person holds an assessment certificate in force in relation to the chemical.

Note:          A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1A) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code ).

             (2)  Subsection (1) does not prohibit the introduction of a new industrial chemical in accordance with:

                     (a)  a commercial evaluation permit; or

                     (b)  a low volume permit; or

                     (c)  a controlled use permit; or

                     (d)  an introduction permit.

Note:          A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (2) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code ).

             (3)  Subsection (1) does not prohibit the introduction of:

                     (a)  a new industrial chemical imported solely for an excluded use within the meaning of section 7; or

                     (b)  a new industrial chemical manufactured in Australia:

                              (i)  in an apparatus that is a fixture designed for producing one or more chemicals; and

                             (ii)  in the course of a program of research, development or analysis; and

                            (iii)  by a person who, before manufacturing the chemical, gave the Director information about the type and location of the apparatus, and a general description of the program and the type of chemical to be manufactured in the apparatus, and a description of all procedures for the safe disposal of the chemical and any hazardous degradation products derived from the chemical; or

                     (e)  a new industrial chemical that may be introduced under regulations referred to in paragraph 111(c).

Note:          A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (3) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code ).

             (4)  Subsection (1) does not prohibit the introduction by a person of an amount of new industrial chemical not exceeding 100 kilograms in a period of 12 months (either by itself or in a mixture with one or more other chemicals):

                     (a)  unless the person knows that the chemical poses an unreasonable risk to occupational health and safety, public health or the environment; and

                     (b)  either:

                              (i)  if the chemical is introduced in a cosmetic--if requirements (if any), prescribed in regulations made for the purpose of this subparagraph, relating to its introduction are met (including requirements relating to its use, packaging or labelling); or

                             (ii)  otherwise--if requirements (if any), prescribed in regulations made for the purpose of this subparagraph, relating to its introduction are met (including requirements relating to its use, packaging or labelling).

Note:          A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (4) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code ).

             (5)  For the purposes of subparagraph (4)(b)(i) or (ii), different requirements may be prescribed in respect of different volumes of a particular chemical.

             (6)  Subsection (1) does not prohibit the introduction of the following:

                     (a)  a new industrial chemical introduced by a person:

                              (i)  solely for the purpose of research, development or analysis; and

                             (ii)  in a quantity of not more than 100 kilograms in any 12 month period;

                     (b)  a new industrial chemical:

                              (i)  that is introduced by a person at a port or airport in Australia; and

                             (ii)  that remains subject to the control of Customs (within the meaning of the Customs Act 1901 ) at the port or airport at all times before leaving Australia; and

                            (iii)  that leaves Australia less than 30 days after the day of introduction;

                     (c)  a new industrial chemical:

                              (i)  that is a non-hazardous chemical; and

                             (ii)  that is introduced in a cosmetic; and

                            (iii)  whose concentration in the cosmetic is 1% or less; and

                            (iv)  whose introduction meets any requirements, prescribed in regulations for the purposes of this subparagraph, relating to its introduction.

Note 1:       A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (6) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code ).

Note 2:       A person who introduces a new industrial chemical under subsection (6) is required to provide an annual report (see section 21AA).