Sampling and testing for asbestos
Evidence of no asbestos content can be supported by having the goods representatively sampled. Those samples are tested (analysed) to see if asbestos is present. A laboratory in Australia or an accredited laboratory in the country of origin can test goods before importation. The assurance provided to the ABF will be in the form of a test certificate (also called a laboratory report) that shows the testing found no presence of asbestiform asbestos.
The ABF will only accept accredited laboratory testing using a recognised method of scientific microscopy as the most reliable way of confirming asbestos is not present in goods. The ABF will not accept reports from the use of portable devices used to read the material content of goods, such as:
- digital analysers
- other hand-held devices.
Sampling
It is important that sampling is undertaken in a way that provides assurance to the ABF that the testing result is accurate. The sampling of goods is part of a process that must adhere to scientific principles and often the testing result is only as good as the samples collected. The owner’s preparation for the sampling process is important to achieving this.
For more information about preparing for the sampling process, see Sampling goods for testing for the presence of asbestos.
This guide addresses sampling when undertaken:
- in another country, before shipment to Australia
- under direction to do so by the ABF after the goods have arrived at the border.
Importing samples for testing in Australia
Samples for testing in Australia must be treated and handled as if they contain asbestos. They must have import permission, regardless of any anticipated testing outcome. Importers should not organise sampling and testing until they have received the import permission in writing. The samples collected must be from the actual shipment to be imported. This is unless evidence of asbestos risk management can be given which addresses the risk of asbestos in the manufacturing process.
Several National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited laboratories currently hold ongoing permissions to import samples into Australia for the purpose of analysis. Importers engaging a laboratory to import need to ensure the permission expiry date allows sufficient time for the importation. Further information on Ministerial import permission is in the
Import and export exceptions and permissions section on the Asbestos page.
Testing in Australia
The testing must be by an Australian testing laboratory that is accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). View details of
NATA accredited laboratories in Australia.
Any samples collected from goods under customs control are also under customs control. This is in line with section 30 of the
Customs Act 1901. The movement of, alteration of or interference with, those samples, must be authorised by the ABF. This includes sub-sampling for secondary or further testing. Customs brokers should be mindful of this when advising clientele.
Testing in a country outside of Australia
When testing is done overseas, before shipping to Australia, certification must be from a testing laboratory accredited by the NATA or equivalent testing authority in that country. The local testing authority must be a signatory to a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with NATA. Testing done overseas should be at least equal to the relevant Australian standards. The content of the laboratory report must meet Australian requirements.
Importers seeking certification from suitably accredited testing laboratories outside Australia are advised to check if the:
- laboratory is accredited by a NATA recognised equivalent through a MRA for the test required
- laboratory’s Scope of Accreditation still valid and in date at the time of testing.
The importer needs to make direct contact with a laboratory in the country of origin, or an appointed agent. Sourcing certification from online sellers or ‘middle men’ poses the risk that actual testing will not be done. Importers need to ensure they have visibility of the process and be aware that fraudulent testing reports may result from services not engaged directly from an accredited laboratory. Importers should instruct overseas agents/suppliers to only source certification from an accredited laboratory analysing samples under a recognised standard.
Certification given to a Collector (the ABF) must be clear and legible and show the:
- testing laboratory had a valid scope of accreditation for the testing of asbestos in bulk samples at the time the testing took place
- samples tested have been drawn from the actual shipment of goods.
Direct supervision and documents of this process in the supplier country will help to confirm the source of the samples.
You can find information on accreditation organisations, to source a foreign accredited laboratory for testing, at the:
Information required in a testing report
The testing report must contain adequate information to be able to show assurance at the border. It must be in English, or contain enough English to verify the following details:
- the details of the client for whom the testing was undertaken
- the test method used
- the standard number under which the method has been undertaken
- the date and origin of the sample
- description of the sample (and sub-sample if applicable) including weight, size and colour
- whether fibres are detected under Polarised Light Microscopy/Dispersion Staining method (PLM/DS) at the detection limit, and if so what type of fibre
- if mineral fibres of unknown type are identified, the confirming technique (test method) used to assess asbestos content
- particularly when non-asbestiform fibres are identified as present
- name of the analyst
- accreditation organisation details.
If an importer engages a laboratory outside Australia, the owner of the goods needs to instruct the laboratory that they must note any level of asbestos detected in the report. If the ABF still suspects that imported goods contain asbestos, we will hold them at the border for further testing by a NATA accredited laboratory.
Laboratory reports from testing undertaken overseas which list a mineral silicate of the same name as in the list of controlled asbestos silicates must show that the mineral identified is of a non-asbestiform variety, for that mineral to not be controlled at the border.
If an importers engages a laboratory in Australia, the ABF requires that laboratory to be NATA accredited to the relevant Australian Standard.
The ABF will seek further assurances from importers when testing results show:
- unknown mineral fibres present, with no further clarification
- the document is not for the actual batch of goods being shipped or
- there is doubt as to the correctness, authenticity or accuracy of the document.
The ABF will not accept testing reports that we cannot clearly understand. Examples include if the report is not written in English or poor quality documents. We will direct the importer to have the goods sampled and tested, at their own cost, while held under customs control at the border.
Importers should discuss these matters with their customs broker or freight forwarder.
Customs brokers and freight forwarders have a due diligence to ensure that a laboratory test report given by the importer:
- lists the correct test for asbestos
- is for the client’s goods which they are facilitating and
- is genuine.
Irregularities need to be queried with the importer before passing on documents to the ABF.
For more information on testing for asbestos, see
Industry Guides - NATA.
- Industry User Guide 7 - Working with NATA Accredited Asbestos Facilities
