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Proposed revisions to the workplace chemicals regulatory framework

In July 2009 Safe Work Australia members agreed to use the Draft National Standard for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals as the policy basis for new model OHS regulations for workplace chemicals. This work forms a part of the Government’s broader OHS reforms.

The decision was supported by a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) that meets the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) regulatory impact assessment requirements. The RIS was commissioned on behalf of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council, which has been replaced by Safe Work Australia. To be fully compliant with COAG requirements the RIS must be published.

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Safe Work Australia has commenced the drafting of model regulations for workplace chemicals based on the National Standard for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals – referred to as the ‘policy proposal’.	Format: RTF (Word 956kB) PDF (PDF 1.04MB)
Regulatory Impact Statement: Proposed Revisions to the National OHS Framework for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances and Dangerous Goods	Format: RTF (Word 1.5MB) PDF (PDF 641kB)
Find out more about the introduction of the new draft Australian Criteria for the Classification of Hazardous Chemicals

Development of additional regulatory material

The new workplace chemicals model regulations will be supported by a suite of additional regulatory material.

Stakeholder comment has been recieved on the following material currently being developed by Safe Work Australia:

Draft National Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals	View submissions
Draft National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Safety Data Sheets	View submissions
Australian Criteria for the Classification Hazardous Chemicals (previously known as the ‘Approved Criteria’).	View submissions