GlobalCosing Anniversary Update

GB30000.1-2024

China Chemical Compliance Updates Tracking & Interpretation Service

This guide sets forth provisions regarding workplace air pollutant exposure standards in Australia, including an introduction, guidance on interpreting exposure standards, and a list of exposure standards. The list of exposure standards includes the chemical names, CAS numbers, time-weighted average limits, short-term exposure limits, and recommended carcinogen classifications for air pollutants, and applies to all workplaces in Australia.

This document contains the new list of Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) that Australia plans to implement effective December 1, 2026, intended to replace the Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) system. Key changes include: renaming “exposure standards” to “exposure limits”; establishing three types of exposure limits—the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), the short-term exposure limit (STEL), and the peak limit; and conducting a comprehensive review and revision of existing exposure limits, resulting in lower limits for 160 substances, higher limits for 11 substances, and revised limits for 79 substances; an exposure limit for diesel particulate matter (0.01 mg/m³) has been added; simultaneously, exposure limits for 33 non-threshold genotoxic carcinogens have been removed, meaning exposure to these substances should be avoided as much as possible. These regulations apply to all persons conducting business or operations (PCBU) within Australia, namely employers and business operators.

(Australia) Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants (2025 Edition)