Our Functions and Powers
The regulatory framework for managing agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines in Australia is referred to as the National Registration Scheme for Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (NRS). Under the NRS framework, the APVMA is responsible for the regulation and control of these chemicals up to the point of retail sale. It also oversees the import and export of those chemicals and medicines.
Before agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemical products can be legally sold, supplied or used in Australia, the products must be evaluated and registered by the APVMA. The APVMA approves active constituents, which are the substances in an agvet chemical product that are primarily responsible for biological and other effects of a particular product. An active constituent must be approved before, or at the same time, as the product containing the active constituent.
The kinds of chemicals registered by the APVMA, include household chemicals such as insect sprays, personal insect repellents and products for treating plant diseases in the home garden. It also registers medicines for veterinary applications such as the treatment of companion animals. The APVMA also registers chemicals for use in industrial applications in the agricultural industry.
As part of the product registration process, the APVMA approves certain aspects of a product label called the relevant label particulars (RLPs). The RLPs include information that identifies the product, explains how the product is to be used, how to store and dispose of the product and the action to take in the case of poisoning.
As part of its regulatory role, the APVMA undertakes chemical reviews. A chemical review may be conducted in respect of an active constituent or an agvet product that has been available to the market for a significant period of time. The active constituent or product will be reviewed to assess whether it still does the job that the chemical is expected to do, and that it is safe to use. A chemical review may involve a reassessment of the approval or registration of agvet chemicals where a potential risk to safety or performance has been identified. Regulatory action, such as the imposition of conditions about the way in which the chemical product is used, or the cancellation of registration, may be the outcome of a chemical review.
As a Regulator, the APVMA also has the power to recall defective or non-compliant products. This helps to ensure the quality and safety of agvet chemicals in the marketplace as well as compliance with the relevant legislation.
The APVMA also considers applications for a permit to use an agvet chemical in a manner that is different to the directions for use specified on the product label. In certain circumstances, a permit may authorise an unregistered chemical to be used in limited circumstances.