Australia's DoHDA Launches R&D Chemical Categorisation Decision Tool — Operating Guide Included

On 3 June 2026, the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DoHDA) launched the Research and Development Decision Tool. The tool is designed to help chemical importers, manufacturers and their suppliers quickly determine whether the chemicals they intend to introduce qualify for the R&D Exempted Category or the R&D Reported Category.

Tool link: https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/form/research-and-development-work-ou

Who it applies to

• Chemical importers
• Chemical manufacturers
• Chemical suppliers

When it does not apply

DoHDA clearly states that the tool does not apply to Listed Introductions. If your R&D introduction involves a chemical that is already listed on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (AICS), you should instead use AICIS's Categorisation Guide to check whether it meets the conditions of a listed category.

Operating guide and steps for use

1. Tool link: https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/form/research-and-development-work-ou

2. Information required for the assessment:

• SDS or product information sheet (to determine the physical form of the chemical);
• For nanomaterials (in solid or powder form): a particle size distribution study report;
• Your AICIS business registration details;
• The estimated introduction volume (calculated over the registration year: 1 September to 31 August of the following year)

3. Answer the questions in sequence. Following the order of the questions in the tool, and using the materials you have prepared, answer each question with “Yes”, “No” or “Unsure”

4. Review the result and carry out your compliance obligations. Once all questions are completed, the tool will automatically produce an outcome (Exempted Category / Reported Category / Not eligible) and clearly state the compliance obligations that must be fulfilled afterwards

I. Exempted Category — very low-risk introduction

Compliance requirements:

1. If you have already completed AICIS registration, you may introduce the chemical without prior notification to AICIS;
2. You must keep introduction records of the “Exempted – Research and Development” type;
3. Submit an Annual Declaration at the end of the registration year (in August);
4. No Post-introduction Declaration is required

II. Reported Category — low-risk introduction

(R&D introductions that meet the conditions for the reported category but not those of the exempted category.)

Compliance requirements:

1. Must complete AICIS registration;
2. Submit a one-off Pre-introduction Report – Research and Development before introducing the chemical;
3. Keep the relevant introduction records;
4. Submit an Annual Declaration at the end of the registration year (in August)

III. Not eligible (Assessed Category) — medium- to high-risk introduction

(Introductions that do not meet the conditions of the R&D exempted or reported category.)

Next steps: The tool will direct users back to Step 2 or Step 4 of the Categorisation Guide to continue the categorisation process through alternative pathways.

CIRS Reminder

According to DoHDA, this decision tool is for reference only, and completing the tool by itself does not satisfy the legal record-keeping requirements. Accordingly, companies must still comply with the relevant provisions of the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019 and the Industrial Chemicals (General) Rules, meet the corresponding compliance obligations, and properly retain complete compliance records.

 

Further information

Gov.