The Western Australian Government has introduced restrictions on the use of moulded expanded polystyrene (EPS) for transporting goods weighing under 45 kilograms. While this has understandably attracted attention across the packaging industry, the reality is more practical than many businesses may realise: the vast majority of EPS packaging applications remain exempt, and no formal application is required to continue using EPS in most situations.

This article explains what the WA restrictions actually mean, which three exemption pathways apply, and what evidence suppliers and retailers in Western Australia may need to have available if asked. Where relevant, we have linked directly to the official WA Government guidance documents so you can review the source material yourself.

What Has Changed?

Due to the inability to reach a workable outcome through earlier consultation, the WA Government has moved to restrict moulded EPS packaging for goods under 45 kilograms. The restrictions target lightweight moulded EPS specifically — they do not apply to EPS used in construction, insulation, or other non-packaging applications, like cold-chain logistics. 

Critically, the framework was designed with practical exemptions built in. The WA Government’s own guidance acknowledges that moulded EPS continues to play a legitimate protective role across a wide range of product categories, and three clear pathways exist to ensure that genuine use cases are preserved.

The Three Exemption Pathways

If your product or packaging meets the criteria under any one of the following three pathways, you are not required to formally apply for an exemption. Business may proceed as usual.

Exemption 1: Large Electronic Products (25 kg or More)

A blanket exemption applies where the item being transported in moulded EPS weighs 25 kilograms or more in total and is an electronic good — such as a television or major appliance. No application is needed, and no evidence needs to be proactively submitted. This exemption reflects the well-understood protective requirements for large consumer electronics in transit. The official WA Government guidance for large electronic goods provides the full details for this category.

Exemption 2: Business-to-Business Deliveries with Professional Installation

Moulded EPS packaging used for business-to-business (B2B) purposes is also exempt where the product is delivered to a business (not a consumer), is installed by a professional installer, and the moulded EPS packaging is retained by the installer or disposed of as part of construction or set-up activity. This pathway is particularly relevant for commercial equipment, HVAC systems, built-in appliances, and professionally installed fit-outs. You can review the WA Government’s expanded plastic packaging guidance for the precise wording and conditions that apply.

Exemption 3: Fragile and Precision Goods

For products outside the first two categories, a third exemption applies to goods that are considered fragile or precision items — where EPS is genuinely the best available protective solution. Again, no formal application is required. However, the retailer or supplier in Western Australia may be asked to demonstrate that the product meets the standard. The WA Government’s guidance document on expanded plastic packaging sets out the full criteria for this pathway.

What Evidence Might Be Required Under Exemption 3?

For the fragile and precision goods pathway, WA retailers or suppliers may be asked to demonstrate why moulded EPS is necessary. This is not a proactive application process — it is a compliance check that may be triggered if a product’s use of EPS is questioned. Having the right documentation on hand is simply good practice.

Acceptable evidence includes at least one of the following:

#1 Risk of damage or safety hazard :

A decision record confirming that the product could be functionally damaged in transit without EPS protection, or that EPS is required for the transport of a dangerous good in accordance with the Australian Dangerous Goods Code. This can be an internal assessment rather than a formal third-party document.

#2 Recognised transport testing standards:

Results from recognised testing methodologies that demonstrate EPS is required to meet the required standard of protection. Accepted test types include:

• Australian Standard transport tests (drop tests, vibration tests, or rough handling tests)
• International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) tests for packaged products
• International standard packaging performance tests
• Brand owner-conducted transport testing protocols

#3 Documented failure of alternatives:

Evidence that at least two compliant alternative packaging solutions were trialled and failed to provide adequate protection. Examples of alternatives that might be assessed include moulded cardboard, hybrid card and air pillow systems, or comparable protective formats. If two alternatives fail the same standard of protection required for EPS, that is sufficient evidence. The WA guidance document provides further detail on how this assessment should be approached and documented.

What This Means in Practice

For most Australian manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers using moulded EPS to protect legitimate products in transit to Western Australia, the practical impact of these restrictions is limited. The framework was designed to permit genuine use, not eliminate it.

Key points to understand:

• EPS is restricted in this context, not banned outright.
• Most uses are covered by one of the three exemption pathways above.
• No formal application is required if a product meets any of the three criteria.
• The obligation to demonstrate compliance sits with the WA retailer or supplier, not the manufacturer — though it is obviously good practice for packaging decisions to be clearly documented at the source.
• A simple internal assessment record — rather than a complex formal document — is sufficient in most cases.

EPSA’s Role

Expanded Polystyrene Australia (EPSA) is the national industry body representing manufacturers and distributors of EPS products across Australia. We provide practical, evidence-led guidance to help businesses, retailers, and suppliers understand their obligations, navigate policy changes, and continue using EPS responsibly where it remains the best available solution.

EPSA has been closely monitoring the WA policy developments and continues to advocate for regulatory approaches that are proportionate, practical, and grounded in technical evidence. We acknowledge that the WA framework preserves legitimate use for the vast majority of applications — and our role is to make sure industry understands those pathways clearly.

If you have questions about how the WA restrictions apply to your products, contact EPSA or visit epsa.org.au for further guidance and resources.

Official WA Government Reference Documents

For the full regulatory detail, refer to these official sources directly:

→  WA Government guidance: large electronic goods exemption (25 kg or more)

→  WA Government expanded plastic packaging guidance — B2B and fragile/precision goods (May 2025)

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