National Environmental Management Plan on PFAS

The draft third version of the per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances National Environmental Management Plan 3.0 (PFAS NEMP 3.0) builds on NEMP 2.0 with the inclusion of new and additional guidance and standards on priority areas as set out below.

You can now have your say on this plan.

The new guidance focuses on the following areas:

• Theme 1: PFAS family – international approaches to grouping of PFASs.
• Theme 2: Environmental data and monitoring - guidance on ambient monitoring data collection and land use classifications to enable comparability.
• Theme 3: Water- risk-based criteria and guidance for beneficial reuse of biosolids.
• Theme 4: Soil - guidance and standards around PFAS behaviour in soil, including leaching and associated ecological and human health guidance. It finalises and reviews two guideline values already in the NEMP and proposes two new guideline values for soil and one for wildlife diet.
• Theme 5: Resource recovery and waste - guidance on management of risks associated with PFAS in resource recovery products.
• Theme 6: Site specific guidance - guidance on principles and approaches to remediation and management; guidance on construction water; and guidance on estuarine, coastal and marine sediment.

About the PFAS NEMP

The PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (PFAS NEMP) provides nationally agreed guidance and standards on the investigation, assessment and management of PFAS wastes and contamination in the environment, including prevention of the spread of contamination. Developed by all State, Territory and the Australian Governments, as well as the New Zealand Government, through HEPA’s National Chemicals Working Group, the plan recognises the need for implementation of best practice regulation through individual jurisdictional mechanisms. It supports action on PFAS contamination around Australia and New Zealand.