Chemicals and plastics regulation

Source: Productivity Commission
"Chemicals and plastics play an essential role in our modern economy, but they can present risks for public health, workplace safety, the environment, and national security. Regulation is an important tool in managing these risks, to help ensure that the net benefits to the community of using chemicals and plastics are maximised. Yet chemicals and plastics regulation has long been criticised for its inconsistencies, particularly across jurisdictions, and the impacts these have on effectiveness and efficiency.
In 2006 COAG identified chemicals and plastics as a ‘regulatory hotspot’, and a Ministerial Taskforce was established to develop a streamlined and harmonised national system of chemicals and plastics regulation. COAG also agreed that the Productivity Commission would undertake a study to assist the work of the Taskforce. This report is the culmination of the Commission’s study."