Date: 31 July 2026

Prepared for: Importers, Manufacturers, Suppliers and Buyers of Cosmetic Products for the Australian Market

Regulatory Update: Retinal Introductions to Australia Now Require AICIS Assessment

From 27 June 2026, any importer or manufacturer introducing retinal (retinaldehyde; CAS 116-31-4) into Australia for consumer end use must first obtain an assessment certificate prior to the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) introduction. This means retinal can no longer be introduced under the exempted or reported categories if it has any consumer end use, including its use as a cosmetic ingredient.

If your product portfolio includes skincare or cosmetic products containing retinal  such as serums, moisturisers or creams, this change directly affects you.

Background:  

The change follows a targeted human health hazard assessment conducted by AICIS, which found that retinal has developmental toxicity. As a result of this classification, retinal introductions for consumer use are no longer considered eligible for the exempted (very low risk) or reported (low risk) categories.

It is important to note that this requirement does not apply to introductions of retinol (CAS 68-26-8) and retinol esters that are already listed on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals.

Timeline:  

The new requirement has already taken effect – as of 27 June 2026.

What this means for you

If you are introducing retinal for use in consumer products in Australia, the following points are relevant to your planning.

1. Apply for an AICIS assessment certificate before introducing retinal for any consumer end use. Assessment application fees apply. Contact AICIS before preparing your application to discuss your options and understand the information you will need to provide.

2. Consider alternative skin conditioning ingredients that are already listed on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals if the assessment timeline or cost presents a concern. Retinal is widely used but is not the only option for achieving moisturising benefits – many effective alternatives are readily available and choosing one already on the Inventory would avoid the assessment process and associated fees entirely.

Key point to understand: 

This is not a labelling change, it is a pre-market authorisation requirement. You cannot introduce retinal into Australia for consumer use without prior AICIS approval.

For further information, the full notice is available on the AICIS website. Should you require support with your regulatory compliance for the Australian market, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Reference: AICIS - Retinal introductions for consumer use now need assessment by AICIS (27 June 2026)

 © 2026 EASYHARMONY TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED (EHC). All rights reserved.