SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a SafeGuardS covering Australia’s one-month consultation over a proposed ban on several persistent organic pollutants (POP) chemicals.

The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has announced a proposed scheduling of four brominated flame retardants (BFR) under the nation’s Industrial Chemicals Environment Management Scheme (IChEMS).

The four substances are:
• Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (tetraBDE) and pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE) – also known as Commercial pentaBDE
• Hexabromodiphenyl ether (hexaBDE), heptabromodiphenyl ether (heptaBDE) and octabromodiphenyl ether (octaBDE) – also known as Commercial octaBDE
• Nonabromodiphenyl ether (nonaBDE) and decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) – also known as Commercial decaBDE
• Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)

The proposals, issued in September 2023, will, if accepted, prohibit the import, manufacture, use and export of these four substances.

SGS has published SafeGuardS 131.23 to give stakeholders an overview of the proposed scheduling. In addition to details of the scope of the proposal and potential effective dates, there is also information about exceptions for unintentional trace contamination (UTC), research, environmentally sound disposal and for article in use prior to any effective dates.

Stakeholders are advised to review SGS’s original SafeGuardS 131.23 to learn more about the proposal.

Interested parties have until October 25, 2023, to register their comments. If accepted, the proposals will be implemented in phases starting in July 2024.

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SGS offers a comprehensive range of testing services to help manufacturers and suppliers ensure their products are safe and comply with national and international regulations concerning harmful chemicals. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS Chemical Testing Services. [www.sgs.com/en/services/chemicals-testing]


SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Australia Consults Over Several Brominated Flame Retardants as POP Chemicals SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2023/10/safeguards-13123-australia-consults-over-several-brominated-flame-retardants-as-pop-chemicals]

Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: (+852) 2774 7420
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sgs.com/cp
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

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