On 23 March 2026, the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) opened public consultation on 14 proposed standards under the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS).
The 14 proposed standards for the environmental management of industrial chemicals open for consultation are as follows:
- Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS) and related substances
- Perfluorononanesulfonic acid (PFNS), perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS) and related substances
- 2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol
- Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and related substances
- Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and related substances
- Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS) and related substances
- 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonamides
- Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Butylated hydroxyanisole and related antioxidants
- Tetrabromobisphenol A
- Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and related substances
- Limonene
- Fatty acids
- Glycerides
Consultation is also open on a proposed variation to a previously established standard for:
- Phenol, 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1,1-dimethylpropyl)- (UV-328)
In addition, DCCEEW is proposing to amend an indicative list of chemicals, involving management decisions for the following chemical category:
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and related substances.
The public can view the proposed standards and submit feedback by 5:00 pm on 24 April 2026 via the following link:
https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/ichems-s17-proposed-decisions
The feedback received will assist Australian governments and businesses in better managing the environmental risks associated with these chemicals. DCCEEW will also host a webinar to provide further information.
About the IChEMS Standard
If not managed properly, industrial chemicals can cause environmental pollution. The Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) establishes nationally consistent standards for managing the import, manufacture, export, use, and disposal of industrial chemicals, aiming to reduce their environmental impact. IChEMS does not directly manage risks to human health; instead, it operates alongside other schemes focused on protecting human health, product and consumer safety, and worker safety. By preventing the release of chemicals into the environment, human exposure to chemicals through environmental pathways can be effectively reduced.
As IChEMS is integrated into the regulatory frameworks of all levels of Australian government, it will deliver more consistent environmental protections across the country, while also providing greater regulatory consistency for businesses. As the IChEMS Register is populated, readily accessible information will make it easier for industry to choose chemicals with lower environmental hazards.
