The Australian legislation regarding the approval of antifouling products is very strict and comprehensive. Only chemical and biological products (biocidal products) require registration with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Products which are acting as physical deterrents (biocide-free products) do not require registration. This includes fibre surfaces and non-stick coatings, basing e.g. on silicones.
Registration of pesticide products is done federally through the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA, formally the National Registration Authority, www.apvma.gov.au). State government is responsible for controlling the use of these registered products. Twice a year the APVMA meets with state government representatives to discuss areas of concern in a registration liaison committee.
Registered product information is available through the PUBCRIS database. In the PUBCRIS database you can search for company name, product name, active constituents, or host and pest organisms. Information available for each registered paint, active constituents, states registered, approved labels and packaging information.
In Australia cuprous oxide, cuprous thiocyanate and Thiram are registered but not yet fully assessed. Diuron was grandfathered into the present system but is currently undergoing review, to be completed 2004. Sea-Nine 211 was only recently registered and assessed. Zineb is registered for agricultural and antifouling use.
Irgarol has been considered but not approved by the APVMA for use as an antifouling biocide. Chlorothalonil is presently registered for use as active ingredient but not yet fully assessed and Dichlofluanid has never been considered by the National Registration Authority for the use as antifouling biocide. Zinc pyrithione was registered and assessed in 2002. The Antifouling Program is assisting with development of alternative antifouling products, education of the public and industry, and is cooperating with the NRA on assessment and registration of new antifouling products.
For more information see: www.ea.gov.au/coasts/pollution/antifouling
To register a product with the APVMA, efficacy data must be provided with guidelines set out by the APVMA to ensure enough relevant data is supplied. These guidelines are fairly comprehensive and act as a guide throughout the whole scientific testing procedure. This guide suggests some standard methods of testing that they have deemed suitable for efficacy testing of antifouling paints. The Australian guidelines for efficacy testing of antifouling coatings are summarised below¹.
General practice
All efficacy studies must be fully scientifically documented. Fouling organisms should be identified by type (i.e. macroscopic algae, barnacles, tubeworms etc.) and abundance, percentage surface cover or biomass. Latin binomial names for any organisms should be provided.
Sufficient detail must be provided for the reviewer to understand exactly how the trials have been carried out. For example, target species, surface composition and preparation, number of coats, method of application and wet or dry film thickness should be described.
¹ Agricultural Requirement Series, "Antifouling Efficacy Data Guidelines", NRA, 2001