The Agvet Code identifies which chemicals and products need to be registered or approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and which products are exempt.
Agricultural chemicals and products
Agricultural chemicals (active constituents) – and products containing them – regulated by the APVMA can include:
- pesticides used on farms, commercially or around the home, including vertebrate baits, insecticides, biocides or herbicides
- personal, domestic or commercial insect repellents
- pool chemicals used at home or in the leisure industry.
Veterinary chemicals and products
Veterinary chemicals (active constituents) – and products containing them – regulated by the APVMA can include:
- veterinary medicines, antibiotics and other pharmaceutical products
- immunobiological products, such as vaccines and other preventative treatments for diseases
- hormonal growth promotants (HGPs)
- complementary animal health products, such as herbal, homeopathic, nutraceutical and other remedies
- novel veterinary products with a chemical component or health claim
- direct-fed microbial, nutritional or digestive stockfeeds and pet foods – unless deemed as excluded nutritional or digestive (END) products by the Agvet Code.
The chemicals and products we don't regulate
Products not regulated by the APVMA include:
- medicines and other pharmaceutical and medical products used with people
- non-agricultural chemicals, such as cleaning products or industrial chemicals
- animal cosmetic products such as non-medicated pet shampoos or toothpaste
- devices, medical equipment and physical barrier products used on animals
- other products and agricultural veterinary products listed as exclusions by the Agvet Code.
If you’re a manufacturer, supplier, or importer of agvet products and need to know if your product requires registration, use our registration self-assessment tool. You can also apply for a technical assessment.
Exemptions
The Agvet Code specifies certain products to be exempt from registration by the APVMA. There are also special registration arrangements for products of low regulatory concern. This includes animal feed products classed by the Agvet Code as excluded nutritional or digestive (END) products.
Lab testing and product trials
The APVMA does not conduct laboratory tests of agvet chemicals and products, nor do we undertake product trials or field tests of chemicals for applicants.
Applicants are instead responsible for coordinating and conducting all scientific studies required by the APVMA to satisfy the statutory criteria, as outlined in the data guidelines. APVMA regulatory scientists then scientifically assess this information before deciding the outcome of an application.
Product advice
As a regulator, the APVMA does not provide advice on what products may suit a user's needs, nor do we look at gaps in the market or find alternative products to manage pests, crops, animals and diseases.