Hazardous Substances Information System

Welcome to the Hazardous Substances Information System (HSIS).

The HSIS is an internet resource that allows you to find information on substances that have been classified in accordance with the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1008(2004] 3rd Edition and/or have National Exposure Standards declared under the NOHSC Adopted National Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment [NOHSC:1003(1995)] or subsequent updates. In addition to providing powerful search features, HSIS also provides direct access to a consolidated list of all the classified substances contained in the HSIS database.

Important update information

The ASCC is about to update the Hazardous Substances Information System (HSIS) online database to include information to reflect changes in Europe’s 29th Adaptation to Technical Progress to Directive 67/548/EEC.

The update comprises of a total of 919 entries of which there are 465 amendments to existing entries and 454 new entries.

A full list of the schedule of changes for the HSIS online database update can be downloaded:

Part A – HSIS Amendments June 2008
Part B – HSIS Insertions June 2008
Part C – HSIS Annex 1d – Amendments June 2008

Using HSIS

Click on one of the options in the HSIS navigation bar on the left of the screen. You can directly access the hazardous substance or exposure standard search engines or the consolidated listing of classified substances. Detailed user instructions can also be accessed from the navigation bar at any time.

Background to HSIS

The National Model Regulations for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1005(1994)] are the basis for hazardous substance regulations in Commonwealth, State and Territory jurisdictions. Under the National Model Regulations manufacturers and importers of substances supplied for use in workplaces are required to determine whether they are hazardous to health before supply.

The basis for determining whether a substance is hazardous, is the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances 3rd Edition [NOHSC(1008:2004)] (the Approved Criteria). The criteria included in the Approved Criteria are adopted from European Community (EC) legislation for classifying dangerous substances.

In order to help manufacturers, importers and suppliers apply the Approved Criteria, NOHSC has previously published the List of Designated Hazardous Substances (the List), which is a list of the more commonly used workplace hazardous substances. The last edition of the List, [NOHSC:10005(1999)], was published in hardcopy in 1999. HSIS now includes access to an updated consolidated listing of classified substances.