Chemical name: Benzene, pentachloro-

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Industrial

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Severely Restricted

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) was previously listed on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (Inventory). While on the Inventory, the introduction (import and manufacture) of PeCB as an industrial chemical was authorised in Australia.

As PeCB has been removed from the Inventory it cannot be introduced under the listed category. This has the effect of severely restricting the introduction of the chemical into Australia.

Use or uses that remain allowed:

Introduction of pentachlorobenzene for use solely in research and development remains allowed. If introduced for this use, it cannot be made available to the public, and appropriate procedures and safety controls must be in place to eliminate or minimise the risks from the introduction to persons involved in the research and the environment.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

Consistent with requirements under the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019, sections 95, 159(2), the Executive Director of the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) declares that:

Benzene, 1,2,3,4,5-pentachloro- (CAS RN 680-93-5) was removed from the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals on 8 February 2023. The introduction and use of this chemical is now severely restricted as defined in the Rotterdam Convention.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

The critical health effect for risk characterisation is acute toxicity following oral exposure. Effects on the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system from pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) have been reported in experimental animals. Repeated exposure to PeCB has been linked to adverse effects on the liver and kidneys.

PeCB was classified as Acute Toxic 4 (H302) according to the GHS.

Risks to the public: There is a global phase out of manufacture and use of PeCB; therefore, public exposure from the use of articles containing PeCB is expected to decline to minimal levels as the articles reach the end of their useful life. Re-introduction and subsequent use of PeCB could increase the risk to the public based on the health effects and potential for exposure, including secondary exposure from their environment.

Risks to workers: The major route of occupational exposure is expected to be due to release of the chemical from articles. Articles containing PeCB are no longer imported into Australia. Occupational exposure from use of articles is expected to decline to minimal levels due to the global phase-out of PeCB. Re-introduction and subsequent use of PeCB could increase the risk to workers based on the health effects and potential for exposure, including secondary exposure from their environment.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

The expected effect of the final regulatory action is that it will reduce the potential risk posed by pentachlorobenzene to human health by preventing re-introduction and use.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) meets the persistence, bioaccumulation, potential for long-range environmental transport, and potential for adverse effects criteria of Annex D of the Stockholm Convention. It has been listed in Annexes A and C of the Convention since 2009. As a Persistent Organic Pollutant, PeCB is highly hazardous to the environment.

PeCB was classified as acute aquatic category 1 (H400) and chronic aquatic category 1 (H410) according to the GHS.

PeCB is not actively used in Australia. It may be present as an impurity in some industrial chemical products. Sources of PeCB emission to the Australian environment from historical uses may include:

Emissions to air from incomplete combustion of solid organic wastes in open landfills and municipal incinerators

Diffuse source emissions from old electrical equipment and products that contain this chemical

Diffuse emissions from agricultural fields that result from either PeCB impurities present in the applied pesticides or from degradation of legacy hexachlorobenzene (CAS RN 118-74-1), quintozene and other chlorinated pesticides.

Risks to the environment: There are significant long term risks to the environment from the introduction and use of the chemical, including from introduction in articles.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

The expected effect of the final regulatory action is that it will reduce the potential risk posed by pentachlorobenzene to the environment by preventing re-introduction and use.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 08/02/2023