Consideration Paper on Lowering the Workplace Exposure Standard for Formaldehyde

In 2008, the Department of Labour commenced consultation on proposed changes to some toxic substances that have been assigned Workplace Exposure Standards. Formaldehyde is one of the substances proposed for reduction.

The proposed change to the formaldehyde WES is:

• To reduce the 8 hour WES-TWA (Time Weighted Average) from 1ppm to 0.3ppm
• To retain the WES-Ceiling of 1ppm.

Consultation with industry, unions, and other people potentially affected by the proposed change to the formaldehyde WES has resulted in requests for the Department of Labour to provide details of the reasons behind the proposed changes. In response to these requests, the Department has produced a Consideration Paper giving evidence in support of the proposed changes to the WES.

The Department of Labour thanks those who provided feedback on the Department’s formaldehyde Consideration Paper.  The feedback was collated into issues of commonality, and the Department has provided responses to those issues.