Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Act 2021

This Act provides for the Minister to make one or more scheduling decisions for a relevant industrial chemical and to vary or revoke such a decision. Before making, varying or revoking such a decision, the Minister must consult the public, may seek information from a person and may consult with the State Environment Ministers.

In making, varying or revoking a scheduling decision for a relevant industrial chemical, the Minister must, among other things, comply with the decision‑making principles. The decision‑making principles are made by the Minister and the Minister must consult the public and State Environment Ministers before making, varying or revoking them.

The Minister must ensure that a scheduling decision for a relevant industrial chemical, as made or as varied, is recorded in the Register. If such a decision is revoked, the Minister must ensure it is removed from the Register.

The Register is made by the Minister but it does not create prohibitions, restrictions or obligations that are enforceable in judicial or other proceedings.

Another law of the Commonwealth, or a law of a State, may apply or adopt the Register (with or without modification) and may make provision for, or in relation to, the implementation and enforcement of the Register, as so applied or adopted.

There is to be an Advisory Committee whose members will be appointed by the Minister. The Committee will have functions that include advising the Minister about certain matters.

This Act also includes provisions dealing with confidentiality and information sharing, scheduling charge and other miscellaneous matters (such as the functions of the Executive Director).