Hexabromobiphenyl (HBB)

Schedule

7

Relevant industrial chemical

Name: Hexabromobiphenyl, defined as chemical compounds based on the biphenyl structural element, where six hydrogen atoms have been replaced by bromine atoms.

End uses or generalised uses

Nil

Prohibitions, restrictions and risk management measures

1. This entry comes into effect on 1 July 2023.
2. The importation and manufacture of, and end uses for, the chemical (whether on its own or in mixtures) are prohibited except:
   1. in circumstances where the chemical is present unintentionally and unavoidably at a level at which the chemical cannot be meaningfully used; or
   2. for research or laboratory purposes; or
   3. if a hazardous waste import permit authorises the importation of the chemical.
3. The importation, manufacture and use of an article containing the chemical are prohibited except:
   1. in circumstances where the chemical is present in the article unintentionally and unavoidably at a level at which the chemical cannot be meaningfully used; or
   2. for research or laboratory purposes; or
   3. if a hazardous waste import permit authorises the importation of the article; or
   4. in circumstances in which the article is already in use on or before 1 July 2023.
4. The exportation of the chemical (whether on its own or in mixtures), or an article containing the chemical, is prohibited except:
   1. for the chemical—in circumstances where the chemical is present unintentionally and unavoidably at a level at which the chemical cannot be meaningfully used; or
   2. for the article—in circumstances where the chemical is present in the article unintentionally and unavoidably at a level at which the chemical cannot be meaningfully used; or
   3. if a hazardous waste export permit authorises the exportation of the chemical or the article.
5. Producers and holders of waste must undertake all reasonably practicable measures to avoid contamination of the waste with the chemical.
6. Waste consisting of, containing or contaminated by the chemical at a concentration that is equal to, or greater than, 50 mg/kg must be disposed of, as soon as reasonably practicable, either:
   1. in such a way as to ensure that the chemical is destroyed or irreversibly transformed so that the remaining waste and environmental releases do not contain chemicals that have Schedule 6 risk characteristics or Schedule 7 risk characteristics; or
   2. as authorised under a law of the Commonwealth or a State, where treatment in accordance with subparagraph (i) is not the environmentally preferable option.
7. Waste consisting of, containing or contaminated by the chemical at a concentration of less than 50 mg/kg must be disposed of, as soon as reasonably practicable, in an environmentally sound manner as authorised under a law of the Commonwealth or a State.
8. Disposal must not lead to recovery, recycling, reclamation or re-use of the chemical on its own, subject to paragraph (i).
9. In carrying out disposal, the chemical may be isolated from the waste, provided that it is subsequently disposed of in accordance with paragraphs (f) and (g).
10. If an activity in relation to the chemical, or an article containing the chemical, is not permitted under paragraph (b), (c) or (d), a holder of a stockpile of the chemical must:
    1. notify the relevant agency responsible for environmental protection of the nature and size of the stockpile; and
    2. manage that stockpile as waste in accordance with paragraphs (f) and (g); and
    3. comply with all relevant laws that apply in the relevant jurisdiction.
11. The IChEMS Minimum Standards must be complied with.

Explanatory information

Nil

Scheduling history 

14/12/2022 – first scheduled

Chemicals may be scheduled as a class under IChEMS. This listing applies to a group of chemicals known as hexabromobiphenyl.  

Table 1 shows an indicative list of chemicals covered by the IChEMS regulatory scheduling decision. This list is not comprehensive. It should not be relied on to identify all chemicals subject to the IChEMS regulatory scheduling decision. The prohibitions, restrictions and risk management measures for this listing apply to any chemical found to meet the group description.