Regulatory Update #272

APVMA celebrates 25 years of agvet chemical regulation in Australia

On Friday 15 June we celebrated our 25 year anniversary as the national regulator of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in Australia.

The anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on our work with industry and the community to help protect Australia's plants, animals and pets.

You can view a timeline of significant NRA/APVMA milestones on the APVMA website.

First participants graduate from inaugural Australian-Government regulatory science training program

The first intake of the APVMA’s Accelerated Regulatory Science Training program graduated this month, with all 12 participants receiving a nationally-accredited Diploma of Government (Regulatory Science).

The first of its kind for the Australian Government, the program is designed to help improve consistency across our regulatory operations and build our regulatory science capability.

The program also reflects the needs and challenges faced by industry and is strongly supported by industry groups and companies including Croplife, Animal Medicines Australia, the Veterinary Manufacturers & Distributors Association, Bayer, and BASF.

The training was delivered over ten face-to-face sessions with participants required to work on a major project in groups with the support of an industry sponsor for the duration of the program.

Two further intakes are currently underway in Canberra and Armidale with the next intake due to graduate in August this year.

New procedure for receiving and sending data 

We now have a new policy for transferring data to and from our agency.

• When receiving any data from the APVMA, in most cases it will be sent via our secure data sharing platform SigBox. When this occurs, you will receive an email from SigBox asking you to set up an account. Once you've set up your account you will receive a second email giving you access to the shared content.
• When providing data to the APVMA, please send it via email or USB for large files

These changes are being carried out as part of the APVMA Enabling Policy and Digital Strategy.

Call for industry to submit international assessments with applications

With potential for earlier access to Australian markets, we’re encouraging industry to submit to us relevant international assessments with their agvet chemical applications.

If you’re considering using an international assessment to support an application, please contact us via our pre-application assistance (PAA) to discuss the suitability of the assessment, any potential time savings and to work out a project plan for the use of the assessment.

In 2017, we committed to taking full advantage of trusted international data, standards and assessments received as part of a broader Australian Government initiative to reduce regulatory burden for industry. Since then, we’ve used more than 33 international component assessments across our chemistry, efficacy, environment, health, and residues assessments.

See the updated applicant guidance on our website to learn more about our criteria for overseas data, standards and assessments and how to submit the data to us.

New Chief Scientist blog post: regulating innovation to support Australia’s agricultural productivity 

Focusing on nanotechnology and biopesticides, our Chief Scientist, Dr Phil Reeves discusses the challenges for the APVMA and other regulators in supporting farmers’ use of emerging technologies to take advantage of opportunities in markets locally and overseas.

Read the latest Chief Scientist blog post on the 'Our Science' section of our website.

Supplying natural insect repellents could come back to bite

This month we launched a campaign to encourage suppliers and retailers to check the registration of all natural insect repellents on their shelves—including lotions, wrist bands, body sprays, candles, coils, wipes, wear-on stickers and roll-ons—before the mozzies and flies return in the warmer months.

Suppliers stocking product that hasn’t been scientifically assessed for safety and efficacy are putting their customers at risk and may face compliance action, including heavy fines.

Find more information and resources on supplying safe and effective natural insect repellents on our website, including a factsheet for customers and graphics for sharing via your social channels.

Report suspicious or unregistered products to the APVMA at compliance@apvma.gov.au or phone 1300 700 315. All reports are treated confidentially.

Coming soon: online services portal enhancements for new applications

From early July, if you’re submitting a new application via our online services portal you will be asked to:

• select the file types for the files you’re submitting from a series of options, including if the file is an international assessment, international data with or without an international assessment, Australian data or another type of file. For international assessment files, you will be asked some further questions in order to complete your application.
   
• for item 21 and 22 applications, you will need to provide a reason if not supplying efficacy data.

Read our online services update to learn more about the changes.

These changes are part of our ongoing work to improve our business by making our systems more efficient and support more timely regulatory decisions for everyone.

Reminder—open for public consultation

We regularly seek input throughout chemical registration and review processes, and other operational and regulatory processes. We are currently seeking input on the following open consultations:

• Proposal to amend Schedule 20 of the revised Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – 3 July 2018
• Proposed registration of Brevis Fruit Thinner containing the new active constituent metamitron – 17 July 2018
• Proposed registration of Sivanto Prime 200 SL Insecticide containing the active flupyradifurone – 17 July 2018

Contact us

• Phone our general enquiries number: +61 2 6210 4701
• Email: enquiries@apvma.gov.au
• Our mailing address is:

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
PO Box 6182
Kingston, Australian Capital Territory 2604
Australia

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