. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/N/AUS/7
2 November 2001
(01-5395)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   AUSTRALIA
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):           
2. Agency responsible:
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC)
GPO Box 1577CANBERRA CITY 2601
Tel: +61 262791000
Fax: +61 262791199
Web: http://www.nohsc.gov.au
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and web-site
addresses, if available) of  agency or authority designated to handle comments
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:           
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ X], 2.10.1 [    ], 5.6.2 [    ], 5.7.1 [    ], other:           
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):   CHRYSOTILE,
CAS No. 12001-29-5, CROCIDOLITE, CAS No 12002-28-4, AMOSITE CAS No 12172-
73-5, ACTINOLITE, CAS No. 77536-66-4, ANTHOPHYLLITE, CAS No 77536-67-5,
TREMOLITE CAS No 77536-68-6
Affected Customs Codes:
All products containing chrysotile asbestos.
2524.00.00 23 (Asbestos), 6811 (Articles of asbestos cement), 6812 (Fabricated asbestos
fibres), 6813.10.10 67 (Passenger motor vehicle brake linings containing asbestos),
6813.10.10 45 (Passenger motor vehicle brake pads  [may or may not contain asbestos]),
6813.10.90 69 (Non passenger vehicle brake lining containing or not containing asbestos),
6813.10.90 48 (Non passenger vehicle brake linings moulded [may or may not contain
asbestos]), 6813.10.90 49 (Friction material non passenger vehicle other brake linings or
pads [may or may not contain asbestos]), 6813.10.90 50 ( Non passenger vehicle brake pads
[may or may not contain asbestos]), 6813.90.10 70  (Friction material other than brakelinings or pads, of a kind used as components in passenger motor vehicles [may or may not
contain asbestos]), 6813.90.90 71 (Friction material other than brake lining or pads of a kind
not used as components in passenger motor vehicles [may or may not contain asbestos]),
4418 (Sound and heat/fire resistant wood panels.
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:   See 8 (below)G/TBT/N/AUS/7
Page 2
6. Description of content:   The Priority Existing Chemical report on chrysotile was a
physico-chemical description of chrysotile, including its hazard level and a recommendation
that the use of chrysotile cease in Australia.
The 2001 discussion paper deals only with chrysotile and presents issues relevant to a
prohibition on use. These include the period over which prohibition should be phased in,prohibition on importation of asbestos and asbestos-related products, implications for its use
in transport applications and alternatives to a regulatory prohibition.
The Chemical Gazette Notices are self-explanatory.
7. Objective and rationale, including the na ture of urgent problems where applicable:
Asbestos is a known human carcinogen. Asbestos, other than chrysotile is not used or mined
in Australia and formal bans are in place in most Australian States and Territories.
Chrysotile is currently being banned for use in all Australian States and Territories.
However, some administrative anomalies have occurred, including the absence of a formal
ban to import asbestos.  The objective of this proposal is to reduce future death and illnessfrom exposure to asbestos fibres.
8. Relevant documents:   A Public discussion paper, and three supporting documents:
1a. Technical Assessment of the Impact of a Phase Out of Uses of Chrysotile Asbestos
in Australia;
1b. Health Assessment of Alternative Materials in the Event of a Phase Out of Uses of
Chrysotile Asbestos in Australia; and
1c. Initial Economic Impact Assessment of the Proposed Phase Out of Chrysotile
Asbestos in Australia.
2. Australian Chemical Gazette notice in April 1995 foreshadowing regulations to
prohibit import of crocidolite and calling for comment – no comments received.
3. Australian Chemical Gazette notice in April 1996 calling for information on use of
crocidolite in   Australia.  No information was received.
4. Australian Chemical Gazette notice in February 2000 calling for information from
importers, exporters or current users of amphibole asbestos excluding crocidolite:
amosite, actinolite,   anthophyllite or tremolite. No replies were received to this
notice.
5. National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS)
Priority Existing Chemical Report No 9 – Chrysotile.(1999)
[All documents in English].
9. Proposed date of adoption
Proposed date of entry into force:}31 December 2001
10. Final date for comments:   2 November 2001
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [     ] or address, telephone and fax
numbers, e-mail and web-site addresses, if available of the other body:
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission
GPO Box 1577
CANBERRA CITY 2601
The public discussion paper and supporting documents are available on the NOHSC website
at http://www.nohsc.gov.au/whatsnew_index.htm