EnviX Analysis: Status of the Introduction of the Industrial Chemical Management Standard (IChEMS) Across Australian States and Territories — November 2025 
Australia’s federal legislation, the Industrial Chemicals Management (Registration) Instrument 2022, stipulates risk management measures—such as bans on introduction, waste management, and duty of care—for the introduction (manufacture or import/export) of industrial chemicals within the country. These measures are collectively referred to as the Industrial Chemical Management Standard (IChEMS), which provides a unified regulatory framework at the federal level.
However, the federal government does not hold enforcement authority over the risk management measures defined under IChEMS within individual states and territories. Therefore, for IChEMS-based regulations to be implemented, each state or territory government must introduce and apply IChEMS through its own legislation.
According to EnviX’s independent inquiries and research, three jurisdictions—Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)—have enacted legislation that explicitly references IChEMS. In the ACT, the effective date of the IChEMS-related legislation is May 11, 2026. In Victoria, while no law directly references IChEMS, existing legislation includes precautionary measures deemed to satisfy the risk management requirements under IChEMS.
Below is a summary of the status of IChEMS introduction in each state and territory as of November 2025 (bolded entries reflect EnviX’s original reporting).
| State/Territory | Implementing Legislation | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | Environmental Protection Act 1994 | Introduced | A person in QLD must implement IChEMS-based risk management measures in accordance with Section 391A of the Act. |
| New South Wales | Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO) | Introduced | A person in NSW must implement IChEMS-based risk management measures in accordance with Section 296B of the Act. |
| Victoria | Environment Protection Act 2017 | Introduced | Although the Act does not directly reference IChEMS, its precautionary measures are considered to satisfy IChEMS-based risk management requirements. The need for substance-specific risk management is determined through stakeholder consultation. |
| Western Australia | Environmental Protection (Industrial Chemicals) Regulations 2023 | Draft Released | A draft law for IChEMS introduction. Public consultation was held from December 4, 2023, to February 5, 2024. The date of the enactment remains undecided (October 2025). |
| South Australia | “Industrial Chemicals Environment Protection Policy” | Intent to Draft | The South Australian Environment Protection Authority (SA EPA) announced its intent to draft the policy via the Government Gazette on December 21, 2023. The EPA aims to finalize the policy by the end of next year (October 2025). |
| Tasmania | n/a | Intent to Draft | The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE TAS) is developing a state bill to incorporate IChEMS into the regulatory framework. Legislative prioritization changes have caused delays, and no clear schedule is currently available (October 2025). |
| Northern Territory | n/a | Unknown | No official information available. |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | Environment Protection Regulation 2005 | Introduced (Not Yet in Effect) | Amended regulations introducing IChEMS were promulgated on September 11, 2025. The effective date is May 11, 2026. From that date, A person in ACT must implement IChEMS-based risk management measures in accordance with Section 52C of the regulation. |
Related URLs
- Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) — IChEMS Webpage
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/chemicals-management/national-standard
