Panel 2: Grouping of chemical substances and how to avoid regrettable

1. nicnas.gov.au Slide 1
Panel 2: Grouping of substances and
how to avoid regrettable substitution

2. nicnas.gov.au Slide 2
nicnas.gov.au
Dr Kerry Nugent
Principal Scientist
Existing Chemicals, NICNAS

3. nicnas.gov.au Slide 3
NICNAS – who we are
National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme
■ statutory scheme to assess risks to human health and the environment
■ administered by the Australian Department of Health
New scheme – AICIS (replacing NICNAS)
■ from July 2020, Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS)
■ more risk-proportionate approach with increased post-market focus
24 May 2019

4. nicnas.gov.au Slide 4
Inventory Multi-Tiered Assessment and Prioritisation
■ 4155 chemicals assessed at Tier II (summary assessment)
 502 assessed singly
 Remaining 3655 in 333 groups (2 - 493 chemicals)
■ Range of grouping strategies
 deprioritisation
 prioritisation
 recommendations to risk managers.
24 May 2019

5. nicnas.gov.au Slide 5
Grouping strategies
■ Toxicophore similarity
■ Common toxic species (eg esters, salts)
■ Mode of action
■ Physicochemical properties
24 May 2019

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Confidence in grouping predictions
■ Grouping rationale as a continuum, with increase in confidence with
increased evidence base
24 May 2019
Confidence
Consequence
Justification
Lower Higher
Priority setting
Warning labels
Voluntary actions
Commissioning studies
Bans
Severe restrictions
Non-definitive Strong

7. nicnas.gov.au Slide 7
nicnas.gov.au
Thank you!