Baar (October 20, 2026) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 131.26, reporting on proposals by Australia to add ten classes of industrial chemicals to the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Instrument 2022 (IChEMS Register).

The one-month consultation opened on September 21, 2026, by Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). The IChEMS Principles establish the framework for assessing environmental risk, with industrial chemicals placed in one of seven IChEMS Register schedules.

The proposals would place a range of chemicals into Schedules 2 to 6 based on their assessed environmental hazard, including substances such as salicylic acid, dehydroacetic acid, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), hydrochlorofluoroolefins (HCFOs), nonylphenols, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC PFCAs). Implementation would begin from July 1, 2027, with higher-risk substances categorized as having the potential to cause, being likely to cause, or being capable of causing serious or irreversible environmental harm, while lower-risk substances would be classified as unlikely to cause harm.

Stakeholders across multiple industries and supply chains, including manufacturers, users, importers and exporters of these industrial chemicals, as well as products that contain or are contaminated by them, will be affected by the proposals. The consultation is open to comments until October 23, 2026.

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 131.26 includes a helpful table summarizing the scope, requirements and proposed effective dates applicable to LC PFCAs, their salts and related compounds, which fall under the Schedule 6 category of the IChEMS Register.

Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 131.26 for more details.

SGS chemical testing
SGS offers a comprehensive range of testing services to help manufacturers and suppliers ensure their products are safe and comply with national and international regulations concerning harmful chemicals. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS chemical testing services. [www.sgs.com/en/services/chemicals-testing]

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Australia Consults on Proposed IChEMS Scheduling of Several Chemicals SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2026/10/safeguards-13126-australia-consults-on-proposed-ichems-scheduling-of-several-chemicals]

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For further information, contact Media Inquiries or:

Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: +852 2774 7420
Website: www.sgs.com
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.

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