Australia publishes IChEMS Scheduling Decisions for POPs

The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has recently published scheduling decisions under the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) for a number of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

The Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard                                                                                                                                       

IChEMS is a national approach in Australia designed to efficiently manage the use, storage, handling and disposal of chemicals. It not only facilitates industry compliance by standardising environmental protocols for industrial chemicals but also encourages the adoption of less hazardous alternatives. Under IChEMS, chemicals are listed on the IChEMS Register, which categorises chemicals into seven schedules based on their environmental risk and provides essential information on appropriate risk-based controls to protect the environment. More hazardous chemicals, particularly those that pose a threat to human health, are subject to more stringent controls.

 IChEMS Register Schedules

In the IChEMS Register, Schedules 6 and 7 list the industrial chemicals of greatest environmental concern, e.g. chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, such as POPs. All uses of chemicals in Schedules 6 and 7 are being phased out, except for essential uses. Schedules 2 to 5 list industrial chemicals of medium environmental concern. They are subject to controls that are proportionate to the nature and level of risk. Schedule 1 lists the industrial chemicals of lowest concern.

Scheduling decisions

 In the second half of 2023 the DCCEEW held three consultations on the proposed scheduling decisions for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and short-chained chlorinated paraffins.

These consultations, which received 100 submissions, have resulted in the following substances being added to the IChEMS Register. From 1 July 2024 (1 July 2025 for PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS), the import, manufacture, use, and export of these substances will be prohibited in Australia.

Substances added to Schedule 6:

• Decabromodiphenyl ether and nonabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE and nonaBDE)

Substances added to Schedule 7:

• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and related substances

• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and related substances

• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and related substances

• Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB)

• Octabromodiphenyl ether (octaBDE), heptabromodiphenyl ether (heptaBDE) and hexabromodiphenyl (hexaBDE)

• Pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE) and tetrabromodiphenyl ether (tetraBDE)

• Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)

• Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs)

These chemicals are globally recognised as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that pose a significant environmental risk and require effective management to protect the environment. Inclusion of these chemicals in the IChEMS Register will establish a consistent standard for their management across Australia, contributing to a safer circular economy.