The obligation
The general environmental duty applies to risks of harm to human health and the environment from pollution and waste.
Section 25 sets out the general environmental duty in Part 3.2 of the Act. Minimising risks so far as reasonably practicable means eliminating them where reasonably practicable and, if not, reducing them so far as reasonably practicable. The duty is a civil penalty provision, with the penalty set out in section 314.
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- What
- The general environmental duty applies to risks of harm to human health and the environment from pollution and waste.
- Source
- content.legislation.vic.gov.au
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Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
General Environmental Duty (GED) — s25 EP Act 2017 (Vic) is a WHS requirement set out in Environment Protection Act 2017 (VIC). The relevant provision is Environment Protection Act 2017 (Vic) > Part 3.2 — General Environmental Duty § 9.
What does this WHS obligation require?
General Environmental Duty (GED) — s25 EP Act 2017 (Vic) is a WHS obligation under Environment Protection Act 2017 (VIC). In short, The general environmental duty applies to risks of harm to human health and the environment from pollution and waste.
What changed recently?
General Environmental Duty (GED) — s25 EP Act 2017 (Vic) was last updated on 19 October 2026.