PRINCIPLES OF SCHEDULINGPRINCIPLES OF SCHEDULING

PRINCIPLES OF SCHEDULING

Poisons are not scheduled on the basis of a universal scale of toxicity. Although toxicity is one of the factors considered, and is itself a complex of factors, the decision to include a substance in a particular Schedule also takes into account many other criteria such as the purpose of use, potential for abuse, safety in use and the need for the substance.

This Standard lists poisons in nine Schedules according to the degree of control recommended to be exercised over their availability to the public.

Poisons for therapeutic use (medicines) are mostly included in Schedules 2, 3, 4 and 8 with progression through these Schedules signifying increasingly restrictive regulatory controls.

For some medicines and agricultural, domestic and industrial poisons, Schedules 5, 6 and 7 represent increasingly stricter container and labelling requirements with special regulatory controls over the availability of the poisons listed in Schedule 7. Products for domestic use must not include poisons listed in Schedule 7.

Schedule 9 contains substances that should be available only for teaching, training, medical or scientific research including clinical trials conducted with the approval of Commonwealth and/or State and Territory health authorities. Although appearing as a Schedule in this Standard, the method by which it is implemented in the States and Territories may vary.

Substances in products which have been considered for scheduling, but have been exempted from this Standard, may be listed in either Appendix A (general exemptions) or Appendix B (substances considered not to require control by scheduling).

Appendix C contains a list of substances or preparations, the sale, supply or use of which should be prohibited because of their known dangerous properties. It is recommended that the provisions of this Appendix be put into effect through inclusion of the substances in appropriate State and Territory legislation.