If you’re starting or scaling a skincare business in Australia, you may have come across the term AICIS — the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (formerly NICNAS). But do you really need to register? The answer depends on how you source your ingredients and where they come from.
In this article, we’ll break down:
-
What AICIS is
-
Who needs to register (and who doesn’t)
-
What this means for small business owners
-
How The Skin Science Company can simplify the process for you
What Is AICIS?
AICIS regulates the importation and manufacture of industrial chemicals in Australia — and that includes ingredients used in skincare, haircare, and body products.
If you import cosmetic ingredients, whether raw materials or finished goods, you must register with AICIS and meet its reporting and assessment requirements.
Do You Need to Register?
Here’s the good news:
If you buy your ingredients from an Australian supplier like The Skin Science Company, you don’t need to register with AICIS.
That’s because:
-
The regulatory responsibility rests with the importer or manufacturer of the chemical
-
Australian suppliers like SSC have already done the hard work of registering, assessing, or verifying ingredient compliance
You only need to register with AICIS if:
-
You import ingredients directly from overseas
-
You manufacture ingredients from raw chemicals yourself
This means small businesses focused on formulating, blending, or selling ready-to-use ingredients purchased domestically are exempt.
Why This Matters for DIY Brands and Skincare Startups
If you’re a formulator or skincare startup focusing on private label or DIY beauty, avoiding AICIS registration can save you:
-
Time navigating legislation
-
Fees (which can be hundreds annually)
-
Ongoing reporting responsibilities
By sourcing your oils, butters, emulsifiers, waxes, and functional ingredients from trusted Australian suppliers, you stay compliant without the administrative burden.
How The Skin Science Company Helps
At The Skin Science Company, we supply cosmetic-grade, skincare-safe ingredients that are compliant with Australian regulations. We:
-
Source locally or responsibly from registered importers
-
Offer transparency in safety, usage, and purity
-
Provide labels and information for cosmetic use only — with no therapeutic or medical claims
Whether you’re just starting or scaling a skincare line, you can confidently use our ingredients without needing to register with AICIS — because we’ve already done the compliance legwork.
Final Thoughts
AICIS compliance is a key part of running a responsible skincare business in Australia — but that doesn’t mean you need to navigate it alone. If you're sourcing ingredients within Australia, and you're not importing or manufacturing chemicals yourself, you likely do not need to register with AICIS.
Choosing local, transparent suppliers like The Skin Science Company means less paperwork and more peace of mind.
