Australia AICIS Releases Updated 2026 Edition of “Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines” 
On September 1, 2026, the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) published the 2026 updated edition of the Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines. These guidelines serve as a technical document referenced in the Industrial Chemicals (General) Rules 2019 (IC General Rules), establishing official evaluation criteria and testing requirements for categorizing the introduction of industrial chemicals.
The 2026 update includes revisions to the list of chemicals with high hazards for categorisation, the addition of specific chemical salts considered to possess developmental toxicity, and a clarification of the definition of a “chemical identity holder.” Effective September 1, 2026, introducers (importers or manufacturers) of industrial chemicals in Australia must categorize chemical introductions in accordance with the updated guidelines, the IC General Rules, and the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 (IC Act).
The key updates to the guidelines are summarized below.
1. Update to the “List of chemicals with high hazards for categorisation”
A total of 293 new entries were added to the list, and information for 122 existing entries was updated. Additionally, corrections were made to CAS Registry Numbers, and chemicals without verified source information were removed.
This list is compiled and updated based on trusted national and international sources listed in Appendix 8.1 of the guidelines. It compiles chemicals identified as presenting hazards harmful to human health or the environment, such as carcinogenicity, PBT (persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity), and endocrine disruption. Introductions of listed chemicals into Australia are considered medium to high risk and may require an assessment (Assessed introduction).
2. Addition of Salts of Specific Chemicals Possessing Developmental Toxicity
Five benzotriazole compounds, including 1H-benzotriazole (CAS RN: 95-14-7), were newly added to the table in “Part 6.5.2 Information required to demonstrate the absence of hazard characteristics.” Salts of these chemicals are considered to possess developmental toxicity unless at least one of the conditions (exception criteria) listed in Column 3 of the table applies.
The five newly added chemicals and their exception criteria are presented below. Note that the exception criteria are identical for all five chemicals.
| Chemical name | CAS RN | Exception criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 1H-Benzotriazole, 6-chloro- | 94-97-3 |
|
| 1H-Benzotriazole | 95-14-7 | |
| 1H-Benzotriazole, 6-methyl- | 136-85-6 | |
| 1H-Benzotriazole, 6(or 7)-methyl- | 29385-43-1 | |
| 1H-Benzotriazole, 7-methyl- | 29878-31-7 |
3. Clarification of the Definition of “Chemical Identity Holder”
The contents of Part 2.1.1, which defines the IC General Rules term “Chemical identity holder,” have been revised as follows:
| September 2024 Edition (Before Change) | September 2026 Edition (After Change) |
|---|---|
| Chemical identity holder, in relation to an industrial chemical, means a person who knows the chemical identity of the industrial chemical, including its proper name and Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CAS number), if assigned.
Chemical identity holder, in relation to a flavour or fragrance blend introduction, means a person who knows the chemical identity of the industrial chemicals in the flavour or fragrance blend, including the proper names and Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CAS numbers), if assigned. |
Chemical identity holder, in relation to an industrial chemical, means a person who knows information relating to the chemical identity of the industrial chemical.
Note: A chemical identity holder may have obligations in accordance with the relevant sections of Chapter 3 of the IC General Rules (reporting) |
In addition to the above modifications, the 2026 updated edition includes updated links and minor amendments.
Reference
- AICIS News Release on the 2026 Updated Edition of the “Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines” (September 1, 2026)
https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/news-and-notices/available-now-2026-categorisation-guidelines-and-updated-list-high-hazard-chemicals
- AICIS Page on “Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines”
https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/about-us/industrial-chemicals-law-australia
- AICIS Page on “List of chemicals with high hazards for categorisation”
https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/help-and-guides/list-chemicals-high-hazards-categorisation
