‘Forever chemicals’ could be phased out in Australia under new restrictions. Here’s what you need to know

There is an increasing global concern regarding the potential risks that a group of industrial chemicals commonly known as PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” pose to human health and the environment. The fact that these chemicals persist in the environment and accumulate in the body is alarming. Some scientists believe that these chemicals will never break down. Until now, Australia has not imposed restrictions on the trade or use of most PFAS chemicals. However, this is about to change as the federal government plans to prohibit the import, manufacture, and use of certain types of PFAS within two years. We aim to raise awareness and encourage industries to proactively seek alternatives. The sooner the industry takes action, the quicker we can eliminate PFAS from our products and waste, benefiting both people and the planet.

But what exactly are PFAS? PFAS, or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are a collection of approximately 9,000 individual chemical compounds found in numerous everyday products. These complex substances are created by combining carbon and fluorine atoms, resulting in one of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry. As a result, they possess qualities such as stain resistance, water resistance, grease resistance, and heat resistance. This makes them highly useful in various products, including food packaging, non-stick cookware, electronics, textiles, and cosmetics. PFAS has even been discovered in toilet paper. However, PFAS chemicals also exhibit toxicity and have been associated with numerous human and environmental health issues. The use of potentially hazardous chemicals like PFAS undermines recycling efforts and the circular economy. Compost made from food and garden organics could be contaminated through packaging and other sources, while PFAS in sewage poses challenges to the use of biosolids as fertilizer on farms.

The recent review of the industrial chemical regulatory frameworks by the federal government has led to the establishment of the new Australian Industrial Chemical Environmental Management Standard in 2021. Chemicals with industrial applications are categorized into seven schedules based on their level of environmental risk. Schedule 7 is specifically reserved for industrial chemicals known to cause severe or irreversible harm to the environment. Just last month, the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water announced its intention to regulate three groups of PFAS chemicals and pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) under Schedule 7. This means that businesses will no longer be allowed to import, manufacture, or use these PFAS groups, whether as bulk chemicals or in consumer products. The chemicals are also listed as having “no essential uses,” which means they cannot be used even if necessary for health, safety, or societal functioning, or if no alternatives are available. These proposed restrictions align with the phase-out plans of the EU, the United States, and Canada, indicating a coordinated global effort to regulate industrial chemical use and management.

Businesses should take immediate action to address this issue, as current research suggests a low level of industry awareness and preparedness worldwide. Waiting to comply with the new rules could result in economic and administrative consequences. Phasing out hazardous chemicals like PFAS requires careful consideration of both risk and technical function, as many products have been designed around these chemicals. Safe alternatives can be identified using available tools, such as the database of hazardous chemicals compiled by the European non-government organization ChemSec. This database provides information on chemicals likely to be regulated in the future and a marketplace for safe substitutions. In some cases, finding alternatives may require a complete rethinking of how a product’s function can be achieved without the use of hazardous chemicals. Leading businesses are already experimenting with advances in engineering, material sciences, and technology to redesign products without the need for such chemicals. For example, outdoor-wear companies have developed waterproof textiles using nanotechnology or advanced textile engineering instead of PFAS chemicals.

Furthermore, emerging services are being designed to eliminate problematic products altogether. Reusable food packaging services, for instance, use safe materials like stainless steel that do not require hazardous chemicals to function. To support industry action, governments, industry representatives, universities, and non-governmental organizations are working towards better chemical management. Initiatives such as the Investor Initiative on Hazardous Chemicals convened by ChemSec aim to reduce the impact of hazardous chemicals while minimizing financial risks for investors. Additionally, Australia’s Product Stewardship Center of Excellence provides tools to ensure safe and clean supply chains. Governments also play a crucial role in helping businesses transition away from hazardous chemicals by encouraging a comprehensive approach across supply chains. This could involve mechanisms for tracking and tracing, certification and labeling, and support for research into safer alternatives. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is currently seeking feedback on the proposed scheduling decisions, allowing Australian governments and businesses to better manage the environmental risks associated with these chemicals.

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