AICIS finalises Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines changes effective September 2026 (high-hazard list updates; Part 6.5.2 benzotriazole salts; revised 'chemical identity holder' definition)

AICIS published finalised changes to the Industrial Chemicals Categorisation Guidelines that will apply from September 2026. The update includes (1) major updates to the 'chemicals with high hazards for categorisation' list (293 new entries, 122 updates, CAS correction for bis(pentachlorophenyl) carbonate to 7497-08-7, and removal of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (71-55-6) and fluoro(triphenyl)stannane (379-52-5)); (2) updates to Part 6.5.2 (developmental toxicity) adding five benzotriazole chemicals and clarifying the requirement applies to salts (correcting prior 'salt or ester' wording to salt-only, with an exception criterion for high-MW polymeric salts with MW ≥ 1000 g/mol); and (3) a revised single definition of 'chemical identity holder' tied to Chapter 3 reporting provisions in the Industrial Chemicals (General) Rules 2019. Compliance teams should plan for categorisation impacts (including potential category shifts and evidence requirements) and ensure processes exist to obtain/submit chemical identity information when the introducer does not know the identity.