Australia Updates IChEMS Workplan: High-Risk Chemicals under Review for 2024-2025

The Australian government has updated its Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS), listing new high-risk industrial chemicals for review. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has prioritized chemicals under the 2024-2027 IChEMS Scheduling Strategy, focusing on substances with significant environmental risks.

This framework categorizes chemicals into seven risk-based schedules, with Schedules 6 and 7 covering substances of highest concern due to their potential for irreversible harm.

IChEMS Schedules and Minimum Standards

Industrial chemicals are categorized from Schedule 1 (lowest risk) to Schedule 7 (highest risk) to ensure proper management, use, and disposal. The standard applies:

• Stricter controls on higher-risk chemicals.

• Baseline environmental safety requirements through IChEMS Minimum Standards.

• Prohibitions and restrictions where necessary.

2024-2027 IChEMS Scheduling Strategy

The IChEMS Scheduling Strategy outlines long-term regulatory priorities for the management of industrial chemicals to ensure that their classification and control are consistent with environmental protection goals. As part of this strategy, the current work plan (2024-2025) focuses on specific high-priority chemicals that are expected to undergo assessment.

Chemicals under Review

Known and Emerging Chemicals of Concern

• Decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) (CAS RN: 84852-53-9)

Internationally Recognized Chemicals of Concern

• Minamata Convention: Mercury metal and industrial mercury compounds (CAS RN: 7439-97-6, 10112-91-1, etc.).

• Rotterdam Convention: Tetraethyl lead (CAS RN: 78-00-2), 1,2-dichloroethane (CAS RN: 107-06-2), and Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (CAS RN: 126-72-7).

• Stockholm Convention: Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9-C21), Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) (CAS RN: 85535-85-9).

• Restricted Chemicals in Canada, EU, and US: Nonylphenol (CAS RN: 25154-52-3), Commercial octabromobiphenyl (CAS RN: 27858-07-7).

• Perfluorinated Substances: Perfluoro-4-ethylcyclohexane sulfonate (CAS RN: 646-83-3).

Regulatory Actions and Compliance Requirements

Mandatory Standards for Chemical Management

IChEMS sets strict measures for:

• Safe use, storage, handling, and disposal of industrial chemicals.

• New import restrictions on high-risk substances.

• Transitioning to alternative chemicals where applicable.

Public Consultation and Industry Participation

The DCCEEW seeks input from stakeholders to refine the standards. Industry professionals, chemical manufacturers, and importers are encouraged to:

• Comment on the feasibility of proposed regulations.

• Submit supporting evidence for amendments.

• Ensure compliance with updated chemical safety laws.

Future Chemical Scheduling Considerations

• Additional restrictions on high-risk chemicals.

• Regulation of emerging pollutants.

• Adoption of global best practices for chemical safety.

The IChEMS work plan can be found here.