Industrial chemicals

The NSW Government is working with communities, industry and governments to reduce the impact of industrial chemicals on the environment and human health.

Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard 

The Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) establishes nationally consistent standards for managing industrial chemicals throughout their lifecycle. The NSW Government and local councils regulate the manufacture, use and disposal of industrial chemicals listed in the IChEMS register. See Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard.

PFAS

The EPA is investigating the legacy of PFAS use across NSW. The use of PFAS firefighting foams is banned under IChEMS. See PFAS in NSW.

Licensing

Businesses storing, treating, using and transporting industrial chemicals generally require an environment protection licence (EPL) issued by the EPA. Businesses manufacturing or using chemicals regulated by a chemical control order or chemicals listed in Schedule 6 or Schedule 7 of the IChEMS register may also need an EPL. See Licensing high-risk industrial chemicals.

Chemical Control Orders

Chemical control orders (CCOs)​ are used to manage specified hazardous chemicals and chemical wastes. A CCO sets requirements for a broad range of activities including the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, sale, transportation, storage and disposal of chemicals and chemical wastes. A CCO can also be used to require the phasing-out of a particular chemical. See Chemical Control Orders.

Chemical Use Notices

A chemical use notice requires businesses using or manufacturing a specified chemical to provide information to the EPA about their use of the chemical. Chemical use notices allow the EPA to gather information about emerging problem chemicals in NSW and facilitate direct communication with relevant chemical users. See chemical use notices.