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ARTICLE · 12 APRIL 2021

NSW the latest state to ban PFAS in firefighting foam

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Consistent with the approach adopted in Queensland and South Australia, the NSW PFAS ban will be implemented in stages.

AustraliaEnvironment
Anna White
Anna White
Christine Covington
Christine Covington
Louise Camenzuli
Louise Camenzuli
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NSW the latest state to ban PFAS in firefighting foam

New South Wales has implemented a progressive ban on the use of firefighting foam containing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which came into effect on 1 April 2021.

The Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Amendment (PFAS Firefighting Foam) Regulation 2021 (PFAS Regulation) amends the Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Regulation 2009 following reforms already implemented in other Australian jurisdictions.

In Queensland, a progressive phase-out was announced in July 2016, with a full ban in place since July 2019. In South Australia, fluorinated firefighting foams have been banned since 30 January 2018,1 although a two-year grace period allowed industry until 30 January 2020 to comply with the ban.

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