On December 12, 2023, Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW) announced a ban on several Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). This decision is part of amendments made to the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Instrument 2022.
What Is The IChEMS Register?
Australia’s Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) was established in 2021. It is a national framework designed to manage the use, storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals harmful to the environment and human health. All listed chemicals are categorised into seven schedules. These schedules ranges from the lowest (1) to the highest risk (2). The purpose is to encourage industries to use less harmful alternatives. The list of banned chemicals can be found here.
Australia Bans Several PoPs
The recent ban adds the new chemicals to Schedules 6 and 7, underlining their potential to cause serious or irreversible harm to the environment. It will take into effect on July 2024. Click here to read more information on the list of added chemicals.
Following inclusion in Schedules 6 and 7, the ban prohibits the import, manufacture, use, and export of products containing these newly banned chemicals. For businesses affected by these changes, HQTS offers expert consultancy. Reach out at inquiry@hqts.com for guidance.
