New work health and safety (WHS) regulations became effective throughout Australia during the first quarter of 2025. These changes require more stringent compliance from companies in every sector. One of the main elements of compliance is the use of the correct industrial cleaning chemicals.
From New South Wales factory complexes to Western Australia distribution centers, proper hygiene is now a lawful obligation instead of an office choice. Even office environments are now under more stringent standards, requiring specific office cleaning chemicals that provide a safe and compliant office.
Understanding the 2025 WHS Law Updates in Australia
Australia’s new WHS legislation puts significant focus on prevention of risk. Cleanliness is directly linked to workplace safety. These amendments emphasise:
- Documentation needed for handling chemicals
- New PPE and hygiene product specifications
- Increased accountability of business owners and safety officers.
- Confirmation of industrial cleaning processes during audit
Workplaces will be required to review their cleaning practices, from what products they use to how frequently. Failure to comply might result in fines, disruption to business operations, or, at worst, injury to employees.
For most businesses, this means not only reviewing their cleaning practices, but also the companies they buy from. Businesses like Complete Wholesale Suppliers offer a full line of WHS-approved industrial and office cleaning chemicals for most workplace settings.
The Role of Industrial Cleaning Supplies in Compliance
Workplaces need industrial-grade supplies that meet recognised standards. These include surface sanitisers, chemical spill kits, degreasers, and high-filtration vacuums. General cleaning products from retail outlets no longer cut it in industrial environments.
Why Quality Matters
Safe Work Australia states that cleaning products used in high-risk zones must be approved for use in occupational settings. This requirement is especially relevant to industries like food production, healthcare and aged care, as well as mining and heavy manufacturing.
In these environments, cleaning processes must be thorough and products must be formulated to neutralise risks effectively. When poor quality or inappropriate supplies are used, there is a higher chance of exposing workers to harmful substances. In addition to health risks, the effectiveness of cleaning protocols can be severely compromised, leading to potential breaches of compliance and increased liability.
Hazardous chemical handling
Under the 2025 laws, any workplace using or storing hazardous chemicals must follow specific storage, labelling and cleaning protocols. This includes having cleaning agents that neutralise chemical spills and appropriate PPE supplies such as face shields, gloves, and chemical-resistant boots. Reliable suppliers who specialise in compliant industrial cleaning supplies are key to ensuring consistent access to such essential equipment.
Even in lower-risk industries like office management, appropriate cleaning materials, such as certified disinfectants, cloths, and mops, remain a compliance requirement. Businesses seeking both industrial and office cleaning supplies often turn to comprehensive local sources such as Complete Wholesale Suppliers, which stock a wide range of solutions across both categories.
Case Study: Implementing Compliance in a Manufacturing Facility
In March 2025, a NSW-based electronics manufacturer underwent a WHS audit. Their previous cleaning processes relied on general-purpose products. After review, they:
The manufacturer began by replacing all low-grade cleaners with certified industrial disinfectants suitable for high-risk environments. This step immediately improved surface hygiene and met audit expectations.
They then introduced detailed chemical storage logs to ensure compliance with hazardous materials regulations. Staff were trained not only in safe handling procedures but also in emergency response protocols, covering potential spills or exposure incidents.
Finally, the company reviewed its entire supply chain to ensure that all cleaning equipment and materials met WHS-aligned standards, which also helped them streamline their procurement process and minimise the chance of delays or non-compliant stock.
Outcome: The facility met all compliance standards and reported a 20% drop in workplace-related hygiene incidents within 3 months. They also noted increased staff confidence in safety procedures and improved audit scores. Switching to a consistent supplier of compliant industrial cleaning supplies simplified reordering and reduced the risk of stockouts.
Best Practices for Maintaining Workplace Hygiene
- Routine schedules: Designated cleaning times and checklists
- Staff training: Regular sessions on product handling and hygiene risks
- Eco-friendly options: Products that meet environmental and safety benchmarks
- Clear documentation: Logs of cleaning activities and materials used
Using biodegradable degreasers or phosphate-free floor cleaners helps meet environmental safety standards while keeping spaces hygienic. Local suppliers that cater to both office and industrial settings, like Complete Wholesale Suppliers, help streamline the procurement process for these materials.
Workplaces with open-plan offices or shared facilities must also maintain separate hygiene protocols. Office cleaning supplies, including anti-bacterial wipes, desk sprays, and sanitising hand stations, play a vital role in minimising risks in administrative and public-facing environments.
Ensuring staff have access to these materials at all times is part of the broader effort to promote a culture of hygiene and accountability across teams.
Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Safety
New tech is changing how industrial sites manage hygiene. In 2025, more businesses are adopting smart equipment such as:
- Auto-dispensing sanitising stations: Reduce human error and product waste
- IoT-enabled floor scrubbers: Provide real-time data on usage and coverage
- Digital cleaning logs: Create verifiable compliance records
Analytics tools also help WHS officers track cleanliness trends and identify weak spots before audits. For example, data can show which warehouse areas are cleaned more frequently or which products have low stock – integrating procurement platforms with cleaning schedules can keep track of supply levels and spot irregularities early.
For office environments, digital tracking can also help monitor the use of office cleaning products and maintain a sufficient stocking of common areas, kitchens and bathrooms, as a convergence between industrial and administrative hygiene management is becoming more important in hybrid or mixed-use workplaces.
Industry Snapshot: Cleaning Supplies Market in Australia
Australia’s industrial cleaning chemicals market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% between 2025 and 2031, following increased requirements for compliance, increasing awareness of hygiene-related risks and the emergence of local manufacturing and logistics sectors.
As WHS requirements continue to be revised, businesses need to make cleaners their number one priority to remain operational and comply.
Office cleaning products are also seeing increased demand. The shift towards hybrid work models means shared spaces are now subject to greater hygiene scrutiny. More frequent cleaning cycles and targeted product use are becoming the norm.
As businesses adjust, the distinction between industrial and office cleaning supplies is narrowing, particularly in larger sites with mixed-use areas. Sourcing these materials from a single, reliable distributor like Complete Wholesale Suppliers can improve consistency, compliance and cost-efficiency.
Market analysts have noted that integrated procurement models will become the preferred method of acquiring both industrial and office cleaning supplies over the next few years. This shift allows businesses to manage cost, inventory and compliance with a single supplier relationship, rather than coordinating with multiple vendors.
Conclusion
Industrial cleaning chemicals and workplace health and safety are now interlinked under the new 2025 WHS regulations. All Australian businesses, big and small, are required to have their cleaning processes documented, products compliant, and staff trained.
Compliance is more than penalty avoidance. It’s worker protection and safe operations. Companies that pay the utmost attention to the right equipment and techniques for cleaning will achieve compliance goals and gain employees’, customers’ and inspectors’ trust.
Whether buying heavy-duty chemical cleaners for industrial sites or office-safe disinfectants, companies are better off working with suppliers who have knowledge of WHS legislation. Platforms such asComplete Wholesale Suppliers offer centralised access to a broad selection of products that align with current standards.
Maintaining a balance between industrial and office cleaning supplies is no longer optional. It is crucial to stay legally compliant and operationally robust. As WHS standards continue to change, the timely availability of approved products is neither a strategic objective but a necessity for companies that want to operate their business responsibly and safely in 2025 and beyond.
