Australia IChEMS PFAS Standards Expand Chemical Controls

Australia has updated its Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard register with 21 new standards, including seven covering per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The current IChEMS PFAS update also revises an essential use for UV-328 and expands the list of PFOS Chemical Abstracts Service numbers, increasing the need for chemical, product and waste data across manufacturing supply chains.

What Changed In The IChEMS PFAS Standards

IChEMS sets nationally consistent environmental controls for importing, manufacturing, exporting, using and disposing of industrial chemicals. The amending instrument was registered on 18 June and commenced on 19 June 2026. DCCEEW’s page, last updated on 3 August, confirms that the completed scheduling decisions are incorporated into the online register.

The compiled register includes controls for PFOS, PFOA and newer PFAS classes such as PFHpS and the combined PFNS/PFDS class. Certain Schedule 7 entries use trace-contamination limits of 0.025 mg/kg for the named acids or salts and 1 mg/kg for related compounds. Other PFAS standards require transition strategies, restrict avoidable uses and limit aqueous film-forming foam use to emergencies. Entry dates vary, with measures taking effect from 1 January or 1 July 2027.

Products, Waste And Supply-Chain Evidence

The IChEMS PFAS standards can affect chemical mixtures and articles used in firefighting, textiles, leather, coatings, electronics, plastics and industrial processes. Obligations may include concentration information, records of quantities and uses, stockpile notification and environmentally sound waste management. Exact requirements depend on the chemical entry and on implementation through Commonwealth, state and territory law.

Importers and manufacturers should therefore screen substances, mixtures and articles against the updated register rather than relying on a generic PFAS declaration. Procurement teams need supplier evidence tied to CAS numbers, concentrations and intended uses. Operators should also identify installed foam systems, affected stock and waste routes before the relevant entry date.

How Businesses Should Prepare For 2027

Regulatory, environment, procurement, product and waste teams should assign owners for each applicable standard, confirm jurisdictional implementation and document any essential-use or trace-contamination basis. Contracts should support data access and substitution planning. Where alternatives are feasible, businesses should test performance early and plan changes without creating unmanaged legacy stock.