Environmental Bulletin – April 2022

Australia – Establishment of Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard underway

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has released a national roadmap that sets out key steps, roles and responsibilities in the transition to Australia’s new Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS). Feedback is now being sought on proposed IChEMS Principles that will guide scheduling decisions for chemicals, and provide the basis for classifications and any applicable management standards. Comments close 24 May 2022.

Read the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s press release here.

Have your say here before comments close on 24 May 2022.

NSW – Protection of the Environment Regulations to be remade

The EPA is seeking feedback on the Draft Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Regulation 2022, which will repeal and remake the current Regulation on 1 September 2022, and amend the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. A Regulatory Impact Statement has been released, detailing proposed options to strengthen the regulations, including changes to some scheduled activity definitions, and application of the ‘polluter pays principles’. Comments close 14 April 2022.

Have your say here before the draft regulations close on April 14 2022.

WA – Biosecurity laws to be reviewed

The WA Government has announced that it has appointed a panel to undertake a statutory review of the State’s biosecurity laws. The review will examine the effectiveness of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, its ability to adapt to emerging issues such as climate change and new technologies, and if the penalties imposed are adequate, among other things.

Read the WA Government’s press release here for more information.