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Chemicals of security concern

Chemicals are of concern to law enforcement agencies as terrorists often use them to produce explosive or toxic weapons. Two examples are the improvised explosive devices used to attack the transport network in London in 2005 and the toxic chemical sarin used to attack people on the Tokyo subway in 1995.

In Australia there are approximately 40,000 chemicals which make up 400,000 products and many of the chemicals used by terrorists for attack methods can be found in everyday products. Only a very small percentage of these could be potentially be used in a terrorist attack however these chemicals are also used for a broad range of legitimate purposes by individuals and businesses.

The NSW Government works in partnership with the Australian Government, other jurisdictions and industry on National Chemical Security.

Chemical Security Resources

National Security website

The National Security website has information specifically for:

  • manufacturers, importers and transporters
  • retailers
  • other sectors such as businesses and institutions that use chemicals as part of their activities including farmers, universities and construction companies and the
  • general public.

Resources include:

  • the National Industry Code of Practice for Chemicals of Security Concern
  • industry resources and materials including fact sheets, online training videos and communications tools, posters and brochures.