Licensing for high-risk industrial chemicals

Some businesses using high-risk industrial chemicals may need an environment protection licence (EPL).

This includes businesses that are:

• engaged in an activity that is regulated by a Chemical Control Order in relation to a chemical; or
• manufacturing or using a chemical listed in Schedule 6 or 7 of the IChEMS Register carrying out an activity described in Schedule 1 of the POEO Act, regardless of scale.

‘Use’ includes storing, transporting, filling into containers, handling, mixing, producing an article, releasing to the environment and activities relating to the end use of the chemical.

Industrial chemicals listed in Schedules 6 or 7 of the IChEMS register pose the greatest risk to the environment. For more information about IChEMS, please see Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard.

Industrial chemicals listed in Schedule 7 of the IChEMS register will be phased out over time. An EPL is required to enable the EPA and the licensee to manage the phasing-out of the chemical to achieve the phase out date.

An EPL cannot authorise the manufacture or use of a chemical that is prohibited by the IChEMS register.

Please note it is your responsibility to decide if you need an EPL. The Guide to Licensing can help you determine whether you are required to hold an EPL and provides information about how and where to apply for a licence and how licence fees are calculated.

To search for an existing EPL, see the Public register.

Even if you are not required to hold an EPL, you must still comply with the risk management measures for industrial chemicals under the IChEMS Register (Part 9.3E Division 1 of the POEO Act).