Industrial chemicals in the ACT

Industrial chemicals are part of everyday life. They are used to make things we rely on. This includes cleaning products, cosmetics, paints, electronics and building materials. These chemicals support modern life. However, we need to manage them to protect our environment.

Industrial chemicals include ingredients used in:

• manufacturing
• consumer goods
• mining
• plastics
• paints
• adhesives
• cleaning products
• many other applications.

They are regulated separately from chemicals used in agricultural, veterinary, food and medical products.

Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standards (IChEMS)

The Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) are a set of nationally consistent rules. They help prevent pollution and support safer choices by industry across Australia. It sets standards for managing industrial chemicals for:

• import
• manufacture
• export
• use
• disposal.

The standards work alongside other national chemical regulation schemes, which are designed to protect the:

• environment
• human health
• product, consumer and worker safety.

Minimum Standards are baseline requirements that all businesses handling industrial chemicals must follow. Your business may already meet all or most of the IChEMS Minimum Standards.

Find more information

How industrial chemicals are managed in the ACT

The ACT Government regulates industrial chemicals under the:

• Environment Protection Act 1997
• Environment Protection Regulation 2005.

The laws regulate how industrial chemicals are used, stored and disposed of in the territory. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA)administers these laws.

The Environment Protection (Industrial Chemicals) Amendment Regulation 2025 came into effect on 11 March 2026. It introduces new, clearer rules for managing industrial chemicals.

This means, businesses that operate in the ACT must meet:

• the IChEMS Minimum Standards and
• any additional measures for a particular chemical listed in the IChEMS Register.

The IChEMS Register is populated with new chemicals on a regular basis. This is to help businesses choose less harmful options.

The new regulations only apply to the industrial use of these chemicals. There are exceptions which allow for chemicals to be used for a non-industrial purpose.

The ACT Government has developed guidance to help businesses comply with the industrial chemicals regulations.

• Hazardous Materials Environment Protection Policy
• Environmental risk assessment guide for business.

Safe use of industrial chemicals and compliance with the IChEMS

New offences and associated penalties have been introduced into the Environment Protection Regulation 2005. These apply when an industrial chemical on the IChEMS register is used in a way that does not follow its scheduling decision.

Businesses play an important role in preventing harm to the environment and human health. It is expected that you:

• know which chemicals you use, import, or export
• understand the standards that apply to those chemicals
• comply with the ACT’s regulatory and licensing requirements.

Industrial chemicals are listed in the IChEMS register in one of 7 schedules. These are based on their level of risk to the environment.

• Chemicals listed in Schedule 1 are of lower risk to the environment.
• Chemicals listed in Schedules 6 and 7 pose the greatest risk to the environment.
• Chemicals listed in Schedule 7 are likely to cause serious or irreversible harm to the environment and have no essential uses.

Risk management measures (RMMs) are assigned for chemicals listed in the IChEMS register. They outline the safe use, storage, handling and disposal of each chemical.

Prohibitions or restrictions may be applied where risks cannot be controlled through RMMs.

The IChEMS Register is updated on a regular basis. Updates:

• facilitate access to chemicals listed under each schedule
• explain any additional measures to manage the environmental risks associated with these chemicals.

For further guidance, visit Industry guidance on complying with the IChEMS.

Disposal of industrial chemicals

Businesses must dispose of industrial chemicals in according with the risk management measures specified in the IChEMS register for that chemical or as otherwise detailed in the material safety data sheet (MSDS) or safety data sheet (SDS) for the industrial chemical where not yet scheduled under IChEMS.

More information on chemicals disposal:

• Chemicals - Recyclopaedia
• Hazardous waste
• Facilities and drop off
• Business, industry and strata
• ACT Waste Management Strategy
• Public register of waste facilities and transporters
• Public register of waste categories that facilities and transporters are authorised for

Management of waste in the ACT also falls under the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act 2016.

If you provide a service that involves handling waste, it is likely that you will need:

• a Waste Facility Licence or
• Waste Transporter Registration.

This includes if you transport or store waste not generated by your business.

In the ACT your business is considered a waste facility if it:

• stores waste
• recycles waste or
• recovers waste.

As a waste facility you will require a Waste Facility Licence.

Forms and Fees

You can find forms for businesses and organisations at Forms and fees.

Contact us

For further information, you can contact the EPA:

• call Access Canberra on 13 22 81
• email environment.protection@act.gov.au
• write to the EPA at GPO Box 158, Canberra City ACT 2601.