National Asbestos Awareness Month

In November, Australians will be turning their attention toward the topic of a healthier country and community through National Asbestos Awareness Month.   The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency will be holding its 3rd International Conference, gathering together top experts in asbestos management and best practices.  In 2003, The Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection banned the manufacturing use and importation of asbestos and products containing asbestos in an effort to prevent any potential harm that may result from exposure.   Although many companies have discontinued utilizing this substance in the manufacturing of their products, asbestos-containing materials can still be found in home-building materials, plastics, and textiles.  The only way to determine if an item contains asbestos is through testing.  Without the proper documentation of assurance of imported goods, shipments may be held for testing prior to being allowed to enter the country resulting in costly delays.

The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), provides a wealth of information concerning the importation of products containing asbestos, to help importers avoid any complications related to compliance issues. There are two options that are recommended: Importing samples for testing, or hiring a NATA-accredited lab to run tests and supply documentation.

Import Samples for Testing

A formal request in writing may be submitted for ministerial permission, stating the purpose of importing the goods, details on the packaging, labeling and transport of the goods, among other specific information. The samples must be taken from the importer’s actual supply, as opposed to a representation sent directly from the manufacturer. The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency may be used as a resource to assist in this process. 

Choose a NATA-Accredited lab for testing

A list of accredited labs, which follow a formal process of certification assuring adherence to standards as well as technical competence.  It should be noted, the scope of accreditation can vary from one testing facility to another.   Clarification up front regarding which testing is required for your particular goods as well as specifying “all test results reported must be NATA-endorsed,” will achieve the best results.

Collecting Samples

Collection of samples is the responsibility of the importer.  Care should be taken in securing samples to avoid cross-contamination, as well as to maintain the integrity of the sample.  They should be an accurate representation of the content in your product, as well as clearly labeled and affixed in more than one location.

It’s essential for business, our own health and the health of our planet to continue to work on best practices and establish industry standards on an ongoing basis.

For more information on this topic, please visit https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/ and http://www.nata.com.au

About Allyn International

Allyn International is dedicated to providing high quality, customer centric services and solutions for the global marketplace. Allyn's core products include transportation management, logistics sourcing, freight forwarding, supply chain consulting, tax management and global trade compliance.  Allyn clients range from small local businesses to Fortune 500 firms. Allyn conducts business in more than 20 languages and has extensive experience in both developed and emerging markets. Highly trained experts are positioned throughout North America, Europe and Asia and Allyn regional headquarters are strategically located in Fort Myers FL USA, Shanghai P.R. CHINA and Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC. For more information, log on to www.allynintl.com.