Standards Australia has announced the adoption of an international standard for asbestos safety protocols. The standard aims to safeguard public health and align national standards with global practices.

The decision to adopt ISO 22262 (AS 5370:2024) - Air quality, Bulk materials Part 1: Sampling and qualitative determination of asbestos in commercial bulk materials, reflects Australia's commitment to updating outdated asbestos testing methodologies, expanding on the use of Polarised Light Microscopy used in the previous AS 4964 - Method for the qualitative identification of asbestos in bulk samples. The adoption also provides pathways to use other technologies such as Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy.

The expanded scope of AS 5370 includes comprehensive guidelines for analysing asbestos in soils and naturally occurring species, essential for applications in construction, mining, and contaminated land management. This evolution aims to harmonise Australian practices with global standards, fostering greater consistency and confidence in asbestos identification and management.  

For further information on the standard and its implications for asbestos management in Australia is available here.

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