To provide new guidance on the environmental management of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) around Australia and New Zealand, the Heads of EPAs of Australia and New Zealand (HEPA) released the draft per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances National Environmental Management Plan (PFAS NEMP) version 3.0 for public consultation in September 2022. The period for comments ended on February 28, 2023.
PFAS have been utilized for a long time in various industries and consumer products due to their practical properties. However, they are persistent substances, also named “forever chemicals”, which will lead to irreversible environmental exposure and accumulation. PFAS can be found in soil, water, food, plants, sediments, etc. To reduce PFAS emissions into the environment and make products and processes safe for people, the Australian Government and the NEW Zealand Government developed the PFAS NEMP. It provides nationally agreed and practical guidance for the environmental management of PFAS in Australia and New Zealand. The current version of the PFAS NEMP is version 2.0 published in 2020. As new information becomes available, the draft PFAS NEMP 3.0 proposes to include new guidance and standards on certain priority themes.
More details can be accessed here.
