PFAS RegulationsState, federal and global register
Verified September 28, 2026

International

Australia PFAS Rules

Australia has prohibited the import, export, manufacture and use of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS since July 1, 2025, with narrow exceptions for trace contamination, research and installed firefighting foam.

Verified September 28, 20261 instrument tracked2 provisions

Requirements by topic

TopicRequirementEffectiveStatusSource
Firefighting foamBanUse of firefighting foam containing PFOS, PFOA or PFHxS is prohibited except at trace levels, including for foam already installed in Class B systems.Installed Class B foam limits: 0.8 mg/kg PFOS and salts, 0.8 mg/kg PFOA and salts, 0.1 mg/kg PFHxS and salts; to be reviewed by 1 July 2027.July 1, 2025In forceSchedule 7, paras. (b)(i)(C) and (c)(i)(C) of each entry
Other named productsBanImport, export and manufacture of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS, on their own, in mixtures or in articles, are prohibited, and their use is prohibited, except as listed.Exceptions: unintentional trace contamination at or below 0.025 mg/kg (acid and salts) or 1 mg/kg (related compounds); research or laboratory purposes; import or export under a hazardous waste permit; use of articles already in use on or before 1 July 2025 (read in the PFOA entry). Waste at or above 1 mg/kg (acid and salts) or 40 mg/kg (sum of related compounds) must be destroyed or irreversibly transformed, or managed in an environmentally sound manner; stockpiles must be notified.July 1, 2025In forceSchedule 7, PFHxS, PFOS and PFOA entries, paras. (a)-(j)

The instruments

Australia

IChEMS Register Schedule 7 listing of PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS

Citation
Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Instrument 2022 (F2022L01658), Schedule 7, as amended by the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Amendment (2023 Measures No. 1) Instrument 2023 (F2023L01689)
Enacted by
F2023L01689
Enacted or adopted
December 12, 2023
Last amended
June 9, 2026
Status
In force
Source
https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2022L01658/latest/text

Exemptions

  • Unintentional trace contamination below listed levels
  • Research or laboratory purposes
  • Import or export authorised by a hazardous waste permit
  • Articles already in use on or before 1 July 2025 (PFOA entry)

Timeline

  • December 12, 2023 Enacted
    Register amendment listing PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS in Schedule 7 was made. Source
  • July 1, 2025 Took effect
    Schedule 7 prohibitions on PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS took effect. Source
  • June 19, 2026 Update
    Latest Register compilation retained the PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS entries. Source

Get the change log by email

New laws, amended dates, adopted rules and corrections, sent when they happen. No other mail.

See the privacy policy. Unsubscribe from any email.