Licence to purchase chemicals

Licence to purchase chemicals: Hi - I've had a few Year 11 students (Occ Health & Safety topic) ask about licences for chemicals held in schools, specifically the Science Dept. I had a vague notion the WA Catholic Education Office or WA Education Department owned an umbrella type licence for schools, however I wasn't sure. I know we need specific licences or special requests for certain chemicals but am not sure for general chemicals. Can you clear this question for me and the students?

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Publication Date: 24 June 2015
Asked By: Anonymous
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Licence to purchase chemicals

Answer reviewed 27 February 2023

General chemicals do not require a licence to be held in schools. However, as you have mentioned, there are certain chemicals that have regulations regarding their purchase, use and storage:

  • Chemicals which have the potential to be used for illegal purposes, such as the manufacture of drugs or explosives.
  • Chemicals which are classified as a poison

These chemicals should be kept to minimum quantities and should be stored securely in order to prevent unauthorised access. Please refer to our information sheet: AIS: School science area security

Regarding licences for purchase of certain chemicals, schools would need to approach their school governing body to determine if relevant licences or permits have been obtained prior to ordering chemicals.

Chemicals of Security Concern

These chemicals should be stored securely to prevent them from being used for illegal purposes, such as the manufacture of drugs or explosives. For many of these chemicals, a permit or end-user declaration (EUD) may be required before purchasing, according to the legislation for your jurisdiction (for example, ammonium nitrate). Further details about these chemicals can be found here:

Poisons

Some chemicals that are used in schools are classified as poisons and listed in the Poisons Standard in Schedules based on their level of toxicity and their use. Poisons that are commonly used in schools are classified as a Schedule 5 (Caution), Schedule 6 (Poison) and Schedule 7 (Dangerous poison). Further details of the classification of medicines and poisons into schedules can be found in The Poisons Standard also known as The Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). See https://www.tga.gov.au/how-we-regulate/ingredients-and-scheduling-medici....

The regulation of scheduled poisons is managed by the Health Department in each state and territory of Australia and is likely to have different regulations.

For example, in WA: There is a difference between a permit and a licence. A permit enables the purchase of a poison, but a licence is required to sell a poison.

Advice on the interpretation of The Poisons Schedule and/or the legal requirements in a particular State or Territory may be obtained from the following websites.

References

Australian Government. (2021, November 11). Chemical security. Retrieved from Australian Government, Australian National Security: https://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/protect-your-business/chemical-secur...

Chemistry Australia. (2008). Code of Practice for supply diversion into illicit drug manufacture. Retrieved from Plastics and Chemical Industries Association: http://chemistryaustralia.org.au/

Government of Western Australia Department of Health. (2014 – 2016). Medicines and poisons. Retrieved from Government of Western Australia Department of Health: https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Health-for/Health-professionals/Medicines-a...

NSW Government Department of Health. (2013, August). Guide to the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Legislation for Poisons Licence Holders. Retrieved from NSW Government Department of Health: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/legislation/Pages/health-services-poisons-... PDF version: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/Documents/guide-licencehold...

Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation. (2015). Poisons standard 2015. Retrieved from Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2015L00128

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Therapeutic Goods Administration. (2023, February 1). The Poisons Standard (the SUSMP). Retrieved from Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Therapeutic Goods Administration: https://www.tga.gov.au/how-we-regulate/ingredients-and-scheduling-medici...

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Therapeutic Goods Administration. (2017, November 28). Australian State & Territory regulatory controls on Schedule 7 poisons. Retrieved from Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Therapeutic Goods Administration: https://www.tga.gov.au/how-we-regulate/ingredients-and-scheduling-medici... (Note this contains information for each state and territory)

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