In February 2008, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) Director published a notice in the Chemical Gazette proposing variations to the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS) for 15 lead compounds to restrict their use in industrial surface coatings and inks. The changes were introduced in a phased manner from 1 April 2008 with a complete phase out from industrial surface coatings from 1 January 2009. A Regulation Impact Statement was required for the decision to introduce restrictions on the use of lead compounds in industrial surface coatings and inks, but was not prepared. As a result, a Post-implementation Review (PIR) was required to be undertaken in line with the Government’s best practice regulation process. The restrictions on the use of lead compounds were introduced to supplement a voluntary phase out by industry of lead-based pigments used in industrial surface coatings and inks to reduce lead exposure. Due to the existing voluntary phase out by industry, the changes were found to have little direct impact on business. There were some costs for businesses associated with reformulation, including development of non-lead alternatives. It was also found that the number of paint suppliers had reduced, primarily as a result of there being fewer suppliers of non-lead based pigments than there were of lead-based pigments. The PIR found that the extent to which the benefits were realised may have been improved by the establishment of a targeted monitoring and compliance program to supplement the educational measures that NICNAS had put in place. The PIR was prepared by NICNAS and was assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.
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