We understand that some businesses may still be experiencing confusion or challenges while preparing for the new PFAS controls due to come into effect 1 July.
On Friday 4 April, National Retail facilitated an Industry Information Session with guest speaker Sonia Goldie, Director – Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Section, DCCEEW. Ms Goldie provided an overview of the standards for PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS, how businesses can assess and prove compliance, and addressed industry questions.
Recording and slides available
A recording of the information session is now available here >
The slides are available here >
Many questions were posed by industry before and during the session. National Retail has relayed all of the submitted questions to DCCEEW and is awaiting their response. Answers will be published here when received.
For queries, please contact the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW): ichems.enquiry@dcceew.gov.au
About PFAS: per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances.
In December 2023, the Commonwealth scheduled specific sub-sets of PFAS chemicals on Schedule 7 of the IChEMS register, to come into effect from 1 July 2025. The manufacture, import and export, and intentional use of these chemicals (whether on their own, in mixtures or in finished goods) will be prohibited.
PFAS is a persistent chemical and can be found in many items, however the new controls focus on particular sub-sets intentionally added to products or packaging typically for water- or grease-resistant properties. Types of products which could be impacted (but not limited to) include: food contact packaging, non-stick cookware, servingware, appliances, cleaning, textiles, auto products and personal care.
In Australia, responsibility for regulating chemicals is shared between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, and across portfolios. The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) administers the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS). The IChEMS establishes nationally consistent standards for managing the import, manufacture, export, use and disposal of industrial chemicals to reduce impacts on the environment.
More information
- General questions and answers: IChEMS general FAQs
- Interpreting a standard: Key elements of a standard
- IChEMS and articles: Chemicals, products and articles under IChEMS
- Glossary: Glossary of IChEMS terms
PFAS specific standards:
