The reassessment process
There's a two-step process for reassessing hazardous substances.
There's a two-step process for reassessing hazardous substances.
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act outlines a process for reassessing hazardous chemicals that must be followed by the EPA or any other party who applies for a reassessment.
Most reassessments will follow the process described here. Sometimes, chemicals could be reviewed by other mechanisms, such as by amendments to Group Standards.
A formal application must be made to establish if there are legal grounds to reassess the chemical.
An applicant may show that there are grounds because:
The information we receive, as well as our own research, is used to decide if there are grounds to reassess. The decision is made by a sub-group of our HSNO Committee. If they decide that grounds do exist, then a reassessment can be undertaken.
Information about the Decision-making Committee
Step two requires a separate application which can only progress if grounds have been established as per step one. Anyone can apply for the reassessment to progress through this step – it doesn't have to be the same applicant that applied to establish grounds. Information supporting the reassessment and any changes being proposed must be provided as part of the application.
The reassessment considers issues such as:
People generally have the opportunity to provide information by making a submission on reassessment applications, and this is encouraged to get a better picture of the chemical and its uses. Some reassessments may include a public hearing.
Hazardous Substance Risk Assessment Methodology guide (DOCX, 1.2MB)
The decision about the reassessment is made by a sub-group of our HSNO Decision-making Committee.
The Committee may decide to:
The timeline for each reassessment varies depending on its complexity. There are specific steps and timeframes that must be followed, which are outlined in the HSNO Act, but each reassessment is considered on a case by case basis.