Australia's upcoming ban on key PFAS chemicals—effective 1 July 2025—is part of a national effort to reduce environmental and health risks posed by these persistent substances. The ban is being implemented under the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS), which classifies these chemicals as Schedule 7, indicating the highest level of concern.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made (also known as synthetic) chemicals that make products resistant to heat, stains, grease, and water.
Key Points of the Ban: Banned Substances- Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid (PFHxS)
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS)
These include their salts, isomers, and any substances that degrade into them.
- Importing or exporting products containing these substances
- Manufacturing or processing them in Australia
- Using them in commercial goods or applications
- Trace contamination below defined thresholds
- Scientific research or analytical testing
- Use in goods already in service before the ban
- Imports under hazardous waste regulations
These PFAS chemicals are often called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment and accumulate in living organisms. They have been linked to contamination of water, soil, and biological systems, and pose long-term risks to human health and ecosystems
What Businesses Should Do- Audit supply chains and products for PFAS content
- Engage suppliers to confirm chemical composition
- Identify goods that may qualify for exemptions
- Consult experts to ensure compliance before the July deadline
- https://www.pfas.gov.au/about-pfas/faq
- https://www.health.gov.au/topics/environmental-health/about/environmental-toxins-and-contaminants/pfas
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