Attorney General wants feedback on terrorism chemical code of practice

In an earlier SPLASH! newsletter we mentioned the training video for pool industry retailers recommending awareness and caution when selling chemicals that could be precursors for explosive devices.

Now, the Federal Attorney-General's Department has published a draft National Code of Practice for Chemicals of Security Concern, and is requesting feedback from the pool and spa industry.

All state and federal governments have agreed to pursue a voluntary code of practice for businesses that manage, handle or use products containing 11 chemicals identified as having the potential to be used to make homemade explosives. These chemicals include those commonly supplied by pool stores such as hydrogen peroxide.

The 11 identified precursor chemicals are:

• Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

• Ammonium perchlorate (NH4ClO4)

• Sodium chlorate (NaClO3)

• Sodium nitrate (NaNO3)

• Nitric acid (HNO3)

• Potassium nitrate (KNO3)

• Potassium chlorate (KClO3)

• Nitromethane (CH3NO2)

• Sodium perchlorate (NaClO4)

• Sodium azide (NaN3)

• Potassium perchlorate (KClO4)

This code will affect importers, manufacturers, transporters, retailers as well as universities, farmers, hairdressers and any other businesses or industry sectors that manage, handle or use any of these chemicals.

The governments don’t want these chemicals getting into the wrong hands and Australian businesses play a critical role by managing security risks as part of good business practice.

The Attorney-General’s Department is looking to these businesses and the community to provide direct feedback on the draft code. Feedback will feed directly into the revision of the draft code to ensure that it can be easily understood and effectively used by businesses.

You can submit your feedback until 1 March 2013. To download the draft code of practice and for details on how to submit your feedback, visit www.chemicalsecurity.gov.au/PublicConsultation