National Standard for Environmental Risk Management of Industrial Chemicals
31 March 2026
Request for member feedback
Purpose
AFGC is preparing a submission on the Australian Government’s proposed National Standard for Environmental Risk Management of Industrial Chemicals.
Member input is requested to ensure the submission reflects practical impacts for food and grocery manufacturers.
What is being proposed
The proposed National Standard aims to:
- Strengthen how environmental risks from industrial chemicals are assessed and managed
- Guide regulatory decision-making on chemical approvals, restrictions, and controls
The Standard applies to industrial chemicals used in:
- Manufacturing and processing
- Cleaning and sanitation
- Packaging production
- Maintenance and site operations
The proposed changes can be viewed here.
To support this consultation, the Department of Climate Change, the Environment, Energy and Water (DCCEEW) will host a webinar to provide stakeholders with further information on 8 April 2026.
Why this matters
The Standard may affect:
- Availability of chemicals used in operations
- Compliance requirements
- Approval timeframes and reformulation decisions
- Access to essential chemicals where alternatives are limited
Member Feedback
AFGC is seeking feedback on:
- Chemicals critical to your operations that may be affected
- Risks of reduced access to essential chemicals
- Practical challenges in meeting new environmental risk requirements
- Impacts on reformulation, cleaning regimes, or packaging
- Any unintended consequences
Additionally, please provide:
- Practical examples from your business
- Key concerns
Next steps
Member feedback will directly inform AFGC’s submission, with issues framed as sector-wide impacts, not attributed to individual companies, and focused on practical, evidence-based improvements.
Please send feedback to AFGC by COB 20th April 2026.
Should you wish to discuss further, please contact Sarah Collier, Director Membership & Sustainability sarah.collier@afgc.org.au.
