Federal Bill Targets Environmental Management of Industrial Chemicals

The Australian Federal Government has introduced a new Bill which establishes a national regulatory framework for managing the health and environmental risks faced by organisations which use and dispose of industrial chemicals.

The Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Bill 2020 is designed to ultimately reduce impacts on the environment and limit people’s exposure to industrial chemicals.

The Bill would affect organisations operating in a range of industries and with a range of products and processes. Industrial chemicals can include everyday items such as plastics, paints, fuels, cleaning products, toiletries and cosmetics, as well as commercial and industrial processes such as mining and manufacturing.

Under the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019, all new industrial chemicals are subjected to scientific risks assessments that recommend ways to prevent harm to the environment, workers, and the wider public.

However, under the current regulatory framework, there is no mechanism to consistently implement the recommendations for the management of risks to the environment made by AICIS.

In an explanatory memorandum circulated by Environment Minister Sussan Ley, it is argued that without a national approach, inconsistent implementation of recommendations may lead to uncertainty, increased costs for business, and inadequate environmental protection.

Ley told Parliament that the proposed changes deliver on reforms “agreed by environment ministers from all Australian jurisdictions to drive consistency and higher standards for environmental protection.”