Reform of industrial chemicals in NSW

What’s this about?

The consultation aims to strengthen the regulation of industrial chemicals to protect our community and the environment.

The proposed changes strengthen the regulation of industrial chemicals. They will align NSW with new national standards for industrial chemical risk management to better protect our land, air and water from the environmental risks of industry chemicals.

The Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (The ICEMS) is a national approach for managing risks posed by industrial chemicals from their introduction, use and disposal.

The proposed changes will:

• Enhance regulatory oversight of emerging problem chemicals to help reduce the risk of chemical contamination and industry spills in NSW, protecting the community from potential impacts to the environment and human health.
• Simplify and improve clarity for businesses operating in NSW by streamlining regulatory requirements for managing industrial chemicals into 1 piece of legislation.

The EPA is consulting with the community, local government, license-holders businesses and industry to help inform the proposed legislative changes.

Your views on the draft Environmental Legislation Amendment (Hazardous Chemicals) Bill 2023 are highly valued and will inform any changes to the regulatory approach.

Have your say

Have your say by Friday 24 November 2023.

You can provide your feedback in 2 ways, listed below.