Regulatory Science Network (RSN)
The Regulatory Science Network (RSN) is a network of Australian Government agencies and departments responsible for regulating chemicals and biological agents in Australia. Each agency covers specific duties, but all have common components to their work.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is a member of the RSN, other members include:
- The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA)
- The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
- The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEW)
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
- The Office of Chemical Safety (OCS) which administers the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS)
- The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR)
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
- Safe Work Australia (SWA)
- The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- The Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office (ASNO)
- The Department of Defence Defence Export Controls branch (DEC)
- Sport Integrity Australia
Initiated by the APVMA in 2011, the RSN provides a forum for scientists and technical staff to discuss regulatory scientific issues and improve interagency cooperation. It aims to help improve the performance of regulatory agencies by strengthening evidence-based decision-making by:
- improving the quality and consistency of regulatory science
- fostering collaboration and sharing scientific knowledge and experience between agencies
- contributing to regulatory science issues, including regulatory science advocacy.
Members of the RSN meet at least 4 times each year to consider approaches to risk analysis and to plan a range of activities in accordance with the RSN Charter. Meetings include joint agency seminars, interagency workshops, symposiums, and conference presentations.