What's new
Consultation open on management of several brominated flame retardants
We are inviting feedback on four proposed scheduling decisions under the Industrial Chemicals Environment Management Standard (IChEMS).
We are proposing standards to manage four brominated flame retardant chemicals – decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), octabromodiphenyl ether (octaBDE), pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD).
These chemicals are recognised internationally as Persistent Organic Pollutants with the potential to cause serious environmental harm if not managed properly.
From Monday 25 September 2023, you are invited to provide feedback on the proposed scheduling decisions via our Have Your Say public consultation process, accessible via the department’s consultation hub.
Your feedback will help Australian governments and businesses to better manage the environmental risks of these chemicals. We would particularly appreciate feedback on whether our proposed essential uses for decaBDE are still required in Australia.
To have your say, visit our consultation hub before submissions close on Wednesday 25 October 2023.
Improving chemicals regulation
Industrial chemicals are part of everyday life in Australia. However, if they are not managed properly, these chemicals can cause pollution.
To reduce the risk of chemical pollution, all Australian governments are working together to implement the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard, or IChEMS.
The IChEMS is a national approach to managing chemical import, use and disposal. It will deliver more consistent regulation and make it easier for industry to choose less harmful chemicals.
Our roadmap
Australia’s industrial chemicals roadmap sets out how Australia is delivering the new IChEMS framework.
It was developed collaboratively by the Commonwealth, states and territories and released in March 2022, following agreement by all Australian environment ministers.
IChEMS Minimum Standards
The IChEMS Minimum Standards set nationally consistent, practical, and risk-based baseline requirements for environmental management by businesses using industrial chemicals in Australia.
The standards align with existing environment, health, safety, and duty of care obligations. The standards are also designed to be adaptable to varying business needs and local requirements. This means that businesses will likely already meet all or most of the standards.
Businesses must also follow any additional guidance and requirements set by regulators for managing environmental risks. More information is available from your Commonwealth, state, or territory environmental regulator.
The IChEMS Minimum Standards apply to all industrial chemicals, including unscheduled chemicals, along with additional requirements where necessary to manage specific risks.
IChEMS Register
The first IChEMS regulatory scheduling decisions were made at the end of 2022. The online register is now available to help you find out whether a chemical is listed under IChEMS, and provide easy access to decisions.
The IChEMS Register Instrument can be found on the Federal Register of Legislation.
More information on how we schedule chemicals is available on the IChEMS scheduling page.
IChEMS Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee on the Environmental Management of Industrial Chemicals (IChEMS Advisory Committee) provides expert advice to the Minister on matters related to IChEMS scheduling.
Committee advices are published on the IChEMS Advisory Committee page, which also includes information on the role of the Committee.
IChEMS Register charges
The July 2020 Economic & Fiscal Update stated that the costs of establishing and operating the IChEMS Register would be cost recovered. Cost recovery has not yet started.
Before cost recovery commences, the Department will consult through a Cost Recovery Implementation Statement.
Contact us
To ask us a question or to subscribe for IChEMS updates, email us at ichems.enquiry@dcceew.gov.au