Australia PFAS
July 18, 2025 | Written by GreenSoft Technology, Inc.
Australia Bans PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS Under New PFAS Regulation
New PFAS Ban in Australia Effective July 1, 2025
Australia has officially banned the manufacture, import, export, and use of three specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals as of July 1, 2025.
The ban is implemented under the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) and is overseen by the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS).
The three chemicals, PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS (including salts, isomers, and precursors), have been designated as Schedule 7, the highest level of concern under IChEMS, which prohibits their intentional import, manufacture, and use in chemicals, mixtures and articles.
Exemptions for Electronic Products
Electronic products may still be sold and used in Australia if PFOS, PFOA, or PFHxS are not intentionally added and are present as unintentional trace contaminants, below strict threshold levels— typically 0.025 mg/kg or less.
Additionally, certain exemptions exist under the new PFAS ban, including:
- Legacy electronic products already in use prior to the July 1, 2025 ban
- PFAS used for research or analytical purposes within controlled environments
Recordkeeping Is Critical for Compliance
There is no formal PFAS report to submit under this regulation. However, importers and manufacturers are responsible for maintaining clear records that prove their products are compliant.
Importers must ensure that PFAS are not intentionally added to their products and must keep documents like supplier declarations, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), or lab test results to show that any PFAS present are below allowed trace levels.
Authorities, including the Australian Border Force and state environmental agencies, may inspect goods and documentation at the border. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in enforcement action, including the seizure of goods or classification of non-compliant products as pollutants under environmental protection laws.
Prepare Now to Avoid Border Delays and Penalties
Manufacturers and importers of electronics into Australia should review their supply chains immediately, ensuring that PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS are not being intentionally added to products. Maintaining proper documentation is essential to avoiding shipment delays, enforcement actions, and product seizures.
GreenSoft Provides PFAS Data Services for Global Compliance
GreenSoft offers robust PFAS data collection and validation services to help manufacturers comply with Australia’s new PFAS ban and other emerging global requirements.
Our PFAS Solution provides coverage for:
- Australia’s IChEMS PFAS ban (effective July 2025)
- U.S. EPA TSCA Section 8(a)(7) PFAS reporting rule
- U.S. State-level PFAS laws including Minnesota and New Mexico
- The proposed PFAS ban in the European Union
- Future PFAS restrictions and reporting requirements
Our expert data team identifies PFAS in your supply chain, so you can meet current requirements and be prepared when new ones arise.
Learn about how our PFAS Solution and GreenData Manager compliance software can support your compliance efforts. Contact us to get started with a personalized demo.
