Australia opens consultation on PFAS use

Australia’s industrial chemicals regulator has opened a public consultation on a draft evaluation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) imported or manufactured in the country.

The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) published the draft on 21st October, with comments closing on 2nd December.

The evaluation covers 522 PFAS listed on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals. Businesses reported introducing 139 between 1st September 2023 and 31st August 2025; 48 were for research and development only.

AICIS said: “This is not a risk assessment, but the outcomes will be used to prioritise which PFAS should be the subject of future risk assessments.”

It found the most reported uses were lubricants and greases, paints and coatings, and adhesives and sealants. AICIS proposes to evaluate trifluoroacetic acid, a common PFAS breakdown product, and require notification before certain non-research introductions.