Nine proposed limit reductions will not proceed at the December 2026 transition
Australia's June 2026 decision retains existing limits for nine chemicals at the December 1, 2026 transition, including benzene and respirable crystalline silica. The proposed reductions for those substances will not proceed at that transition; further work remains pending.
Do not treat the earlier proposed reductions for these nine substances as adopted December 2026 limits.
- Legal status
- proposed reductions not adopted
- Source check
- Sep 17, 2026
- Topic
- RCS and eight other chemicals
- Technical review
- Jiaxi · 2026-09-23
What changed
Previous requirement
Nine chemicals were reserved for further impact analysis.
New requirement or current position
No numerical changes for these nine chemicals at the December transition; further work is pending.
Who it affects
- Mining
- Quarrying
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Laboratories
Dates and milestones
Commencement and compliance dates can differ. Read the conditions beside each date, including any stay or local adoption requirement.
- Announcement or publication
- Jun 24, 2026
- Recorded effective date
- Dec 1, 2026
Selected exposure values
These values need the scope, limit type and averaging period shown below. A proposed or advisory value is not a binding limit.
Respirable crystalline silica
0.05 mg/m3| Averaging period | 8-hour TWA |
|---|---|
| Limit type | WES |
| Scope | Current WES and retained future WEL entries for quartz, cristobalite, tridymite and tripoli |
What this could mean for your IH program
Keep proposed RCS reductions out of the enforceable limit table. Track any subsequent ministerial decision separately.
Confirm applicability with a qualified practitioner before changing your program.
Questions and qualifications
- The timing and outcome of further ministerial work are unknown.
Source evidence
- Publication: Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Proposed workplace exposure limits for 9 chemicals
Safe Work Australia · 24 June 2026; opening and transition sections
Ministers did not reach majority support for changing nine chemicals. Further work was requested; their current exposure levels remain at the December 2026 transition.
- Workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants, November 2025
Safe Work Australia · pp. 21, 40-41; Appendix C
DPM is listed at 0.01 mg/m3 TWA as respirable elemental carbon. Crystalline silica entries retain 0.05 mg/m3.
- Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants, November 2025
Safe Work Australia · p. 36 silica entries; p. 42 amendment history
Current list records RCS at 0.05 mg/m3 and the January 2024 general welding and November 2025 aluminium welding amendments.
Managing your IH program
Explore how LEAP IH supports industrial hygiene data management and risk assessment.
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