{"id":"F2020L01104","name":"Statement of Principles concerning chloracne (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 62 of 2020)","slug":"statement-of-principles-concerning-chloracne-reasonable-hypothesis-no-62-of-2020","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":440590,"registerId":"F2020L01104-fast-fetch-1775956162435","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Statement of Principles concerning chloracne (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 62 of 2020)","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 20.2\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n\n\n \n\nStatement of Principles\n\nconcerning\n\nCHLORACNE (Reasonable Hypothesis)\n\n(No. 62 of 2020)\n\nThe Repatriation Medical Authority determines the following Statement of Principles under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.\n\n \n\nDated 28 August 2020\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n| The Common Seal of the Repatriation Medical Authority was affixed to this instrument at the direction of:
|\n| --- |\n| 
Professor Nicholas Saunders AO
Chairperson
|\n\n\n \n\n \n\n\nContents\n\n1 Name\n\n2 Commencement\n\n3 Authority\n\n4 Repeal\n\n5 Application\n\n6 Definitions\n\n7 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates\n\n8 Basis for determining the factors\n\n9 Factors that must exist\n\n10 Relationship to service\n\n11 Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles\n\nSchedule 1 - Dictionary\n\n1 Definitions\n\n \n\n\n\n\n1 Name\n\nThis is the Statement of Principles concerning chloracne (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 62 of 2020).\n\n2 Commencement\n\n This instrument commences on 28 September 2020.\n\n3 Authority\n\nThis instrument is made under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.\n\n4 Repeal\n\nThe Statement of Principles concerning chloracne No. 17 of 2012 (Federal Register of Legislation No. F2012L00447) made under subsection 196B(2) of the VEA is repealed.\n\n5 Application\n\nThis instrument applies to a claim to which section 120A of the VEA or section 338 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 applies.\n\n6 Definitions\n\nThe terms defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary have the meaning given when used in this instrument.\n\n7 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates\n\n(1) This Statement of Principles is about chloracne and death from chloracne.\n\nMeaning of chloracne\n\n(2) For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, chloracne:\n\n(a) means a chronic skin disease, characterised by an acne-like eruption of open and closed comedones (whiteheads and blackheads), pustules and epidermal cysts, occurring after the systemic absorption of certain polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons; and\n\n(b) excludes drug-related acneiform facial eruptions.\n\nNote: Chloracne lesions are typically distributed over the face, earlobes and neck, and can also occur on the trunk, genitalia and buttocks. Other skin manifestations may include hyperpigmentation and hyperhidrosis. The skin lesions may be accompanied by systemic signs and symptoms.\n\nDeath from chloracne\n\n(3) For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, chloracne, in relation to a person, includes death from a terminal event or condition that was contributed to by the person's chloracne.\n\nNote: terminal event is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n8 Basis for determining the factors\n\nThe Repatriation Medical Authority is of the view that there is sound medical‑scientific evidence that indicates that chloracne and death from chloracne can be related to relevant service rendered by veterans, members of Peacekeeping Forces, or members of the Forces under the VEA, or members under the MRCA.\n\nNote: MRCA, relevant service and VEA are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n9 Factors that must exist\n\nAt least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting chloracne or death from chloracne with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:\n\n(1) inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbon from the specified list of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, within the three months before the clinical onset of chloracne;\n\nNote 1: Examples of products that may contain polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons from the specified list include:\n\n(a) fungicides;\n\n(b) herbicides;\n\n(c) insecticides;\n\n(d) transformer oils; and\n\n(e) wood protectors.\n\nNote 2: Examples of circumstances that may lead to exposure to polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons from the specified list include:\n\n(a) being in an environment shrouded in dust from timber treated with;\n\n(b) being sprayed with;\n\n(c) cleaning or maintaining equipment used to apply;\n\n(d) consuming cooking oil or food contaminated with;\n\n(e) decanting or spraying;\n\n(f) handling or sawing timber treated with; and\n\n(g) using cutting oil contaminated with;\n\nany of the polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons from the specified list of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons. \n\nNote 3: specified list of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary. \n\n(2) inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with a polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbon from the specified list of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, within the three months before the clinical worsening of chloracne;\n\nNote 1: Examples of products that may contain polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons from the specified list include:\n\n(a) fungicides;\n\n(b) herbicides;\n\n(c) insecticides;\n\n(d) transformer oils; and\n\n(e) wood protectors.\n\nNote 2: Examples of circumstances that may lead to exposure to polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons from the specified list include:\n\n(a) being in an environment shrouded in dust from timber treated with;\n\n(b) being sprayed with;\n\n(c) cleaning or maintaining equipment used to apply;\n\n(d) consuming cooking oil or food contaminated with;\n\n(e) decanting or spraying;\n\n(f) handling or sawing timber treated with; and\n\n(g) using cutting oil contaminated with;\n\nany of the polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons from the specified list of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons. \n\nNote 3: specified list of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary. \n\n(3) inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for chloracne.\n\n10 Relationship to service\n\n(1) The existence in a person of any factor referred to in section 9, must be related to the relevant service rendered by the person.\n\n(2) The factors set out in subsections 9(2) and 9(3) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, chloracne where the person's chloracne was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person's relevant service.\n\n11 Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles\n\nIn this Statement of Principles:\n\n(1) if a factor referred to in section 9 applies in relation to a person; and\n\n(2) that factor refers to an injury or disease in respect of which a Statement of Principles has been determined under subsection 196B(2) of the VEA;\n\nthen the factors in that Statement of Principles apply in accordance with the terms of that Statement of Principles as in force from time to time.\n\n \n\n \n\nSchedule 1 - Dictionary \n\nNote: See Section 6\n\n1 Definitions\n\nIn this instrument:\n\n chloracne—see subsection 7(2).\n\n MRCA means the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.\n\n polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs) as specified means:\n\n(a) 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF);\n\n(b) pentachlorodibenzofurans (PeCDFs);\n\n(c) haemachlorodibenzofurans;\n\n(d) hexachlorodibenzofurans (HxCDFs);\n\n(e) heptachlorodibenzofurans (HpCDFs);\n\n(f) octachlorodibenzofurans (OCDFs); or\n\n(g) trichlorodibenzofurans.\n\n polychlorodibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs) as specified means:\n\n(a) 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD);\n\n(b) 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (PeCDD);\n\n(c) hexachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (HxCDD);\n\n(d) 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (HpCDD); or\n\n(e) octachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (OCDD).\n\n relevant service means:\n\n(a) operational service under the VEA;\n\n(b) peacekeeping service under the VEA;\n\n(c) hazardous service under the VEA;\n\n(d) British nuclear test defence service under the VEA;\n\n(e) warlike service under the MRCA; or\n\n(f) non-warlike service under the MRCA.\n\nNote: MRCA and VEA are also defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n specified list of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons means:\n\n(a) azobenzenes, including 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloroazobenzene;\n\n(b) azoxybenzenes, including 3,4,3',4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene;\n\n(c) o-dichlorobenzene;\n\n(d) polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs);\n\n(e) polybromodibenzofurans, including tetrabromodibenzofuran;\n\n(f) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs);\n\n(g) polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs) as specified;\n\n(h) polychlorodibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs) as specified;\n\n(i) polychloronaphthalenes, including pentachloronaphthalene (Halowax 1013) and hexachloronaphthalene (HCN);\n\n(j) polychromonaphthalenes; or\n\n(k) triazoloquinoxalines.\n\nNote: polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs) as specified and polychlorodibenzo-para-dioxins (PCDDs) as specified are also defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.\n\n terminal event means the proximate or ultimate cause of death and includes the following:\n\n(a) pneumonia;\n\n(b) respiratory failure;\n\n(c) cardiac arrest;\n\n(d) circulatory failure; or\n\n(e) cessation of brain function.\n\n VEA means the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.\n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument maintains the established scope of Repatriation Medical Authority Statements of Principles. It replaces the 2012 version (No. 17 of 2012) with updated chemical specificity and contemporary drafting, but does not expand beyond the original purpose of establishing causal connections between chloracne and military service for compensation purposes. The structure and approach remain consistent with the statutory framework under section 196B(2) of the VEA."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate chemical nomenclature requiring scientific literacy (17 specific chemical compounds defined with IUPAC names and abbreviations)","Cross-referencing structure: definitions in Schedule 1 are referenced throughout main sections, requiring navigation between sections","Temporal limitation requiring precise dating: 'within the three months before' creates a strict evidentiary window","Dual legislative framework application (VEA and MRCA) with six distinct service categories defined","Conditional logic in section 10(2) restricting certain factors to aggravation cases only where condition pre-existed service","Incorporation by reference in section 11 allowing other Statements of Principles to cascade into this one","Medical terminology requiring translation ('comedones', 'hyperhidrosis', 'clinical onset')","Reasonable hypothesis standard creates a threshold concept not explicitly defined in the instrument itself"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets the medical link required to award compensation for chloracne to current and former Australian Defence Force members, veterans and peacekeepers under the VEA and MRCA. It applies the lower \"reasonable hypothesis\" test and requires service-linked exposure to certain toxic chemicals (e.g. dioxins, PCBs, some pesticides) within three months before onset/worsening, or service-related lack of adequate treatment for a pre‑existing condition.\n\nIt replaces the 2012 statement to clarify claim pathways for service-related chemical exposure."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument repeals the 2012 Statement (s4) and reissues criteria for linking chloracne and death from chloracne to relevant service under the VEA and MRCA (s5, s7). It retains the same functional scope—establishing factors for a reasonable hypothesis of service connection—while updating the textual criteria and definitions (see Schedule 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow temporal requirement: exposure must occur within three months before clinical onset or worsening (s9(1)–(2)).","Detailed chemical list and cross-references: specified list of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and named PCDFs/PCDDs are defined in the Schedule (Schedule 1).","Evidence and proof burden: claimants must establish exposure or inability to obtain appropriate clinical management (s9(3)), which may require documentary or medical evidence.","Service-connection linkage: factors must be related to the person's relevant service as defined (s10(1); Schedule 1: relevant service).","Interaction with other Statements: factors that refer to conditions covered by other Statements of Principles invoke those Statements (s11), requiring cross-instrument coordination.","Repeal and replacement: this instrument repeals the 2012 Statement (s4), so administrative transition and interpretation comparisons may be necessary."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets the medical criteria the Repatriation Medical Authority uses to decide if chloracne, or death from chloracne, can reasonably be linked to a person’s relevant military or peacekeeping service. It applies to claims under the Veterans' Entitlements Act and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act and requires evidence of recent exposure to specified polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (generally within three months before onset or worsening) or inability to obtain appropriate clinical management; it replaces the 2012 Statement."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-chloracne-reasonable-hypothesis-no-62-of-2020","history":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-chloracne-reasonable-hypothesis-no-62-of-2020/history","analysis":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-chloracne-reasonable-hypothesis-no-62-of-2020/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-chloracne-reasonable-hypothesis-no-62-of-2020/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-chloracne-reasonable-hypothesis-no-62-of-2020/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/statement-of-principles-concerning-chloracne-reasonable-hypothesis-no-62-of-2020/documents"}}