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Part A - Final decisions on matters referred to an expert advisory committee (November 2017)
2. Joint meeting of the Advisory Committee on Chemicals and Medicines Scheduling (ACCS/ACMS #17)
2.1 Helium
Delegate's final decision
Final decision:
The delegate's final decision is that the Poisons Standard should not be amended to include helium on the basis that helium does not require scheduling.
Implementation date: N/A
Reasons:
The delegate notes the public submission on the interim decision. However, as no new evidence has been received to alter the interim decision for helium, the delegate has confirmed that the final decision and reasons for the final decision are identical to the interim decision.
Public submissions on the interim decision
Three (3) public submissions were received, all in support of the interim decision.
The main points in support were:
- The interim decision to not schedule helium recognises the importance of helium in many industry sectors, the economic benefits of those sectors and the fact that the correct and legitimate use of helium does not meet the scheduling criteria.
- A thorough analysis was taken and a pragmatic outcome was achieved to ensure a balanced regulatory framework is maintained on helium.
Interim decision
The interim decision for helium was published on the TGA website on 5 February 2018 at Scheduling delegates' interim decisions and invitation for further comment: ACCS/ACMS, November 2017 - 2.1. Helium.
Scheduling proposal
The pre-meeting scheduling proposal for helium was published on the TGA website on 6 September 2017 at Consultation: Proposed amendments to the Poisons Standard - ACCS, ACMS and Joint ACCS/ACMS meetings, November 2017.