New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has launched a full reassessment of chlorpyrifos (CAS No 2921-88-2), an organophosphate insecticide widely used by professionals to control pests on crops and plants. This reassessment comes after new data showed that the risks to human health and the environment in New Zealand outweigh the benefits of using chlorpyrifos. EPA is now proposing to revoke all approvals for chlorpyrifos, effectively banning its import, manufacture and use in the country.

Key Findings Supporting the Proposed Ban

1. Increased Human Health Risks:

   • Updated assessments show that the toxicological threshold for adverse effects is now 10 times lower than previously established.

   • Many uses of chlorpyrifos pose significant health risks to spray operators, workers in treated areas, and bystanders.

2. Environmental Concerns:

   • Chlorpyrifos poses severe risks to birds, bees, and aquatic ecosystems, making widespread use dangerous.

3. International Regulatory Trends:

   • Chlorpyrifos has been banned in Canada and the European Union. Australia has prohibited most uses, while the United States continues its review. These global actions reflect the declining acceptance of the chlorpyrifos in agriculture.

4. Diminished Practical Benefits:

   • With increasing international restrictions, the economic and practical benefits of chlorpyrifos are increasingly limited.

Public Consultation Open Until February 2025

EPA is seeking feedback on its proposal to ban chlorpyrifos. Comments will be accepted until 12 February 2025 (11:59 PM NZDT). Stakeholders are encouraged to submit quantitative data on risks, benefits, and potential costs of alternatives.

How to Submit Feedback:

• Online: Complete the secure submission form

• Email: Send submissions to reassessments@epa.govt.nz

• Mail: Environmental Protection Authority, Private Bag 63002, Wellington 6140

Next Steps in the Reassessment Process

After submission period closes, EPA will compile a decision-making report that incorporates public feedback. If requested, a public hearing will be organized before the EPA committee finalizes its decision. Updates and the final outcome will be published on the EPA website.

Potential Impacts of the Ban

If the ban is implemented:

• Chlorpyrifos will no longer be legally imported, manufactured or used in New Zealand.

• The decision aligns with the ongoing review of chlorpyrifos as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) under the Stockholm Convention, which could result in a global restriction.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced significant changes to reduce the allowable levels of lead impurities in paint and strengthen the safety requirements for art materials marketed to children. The changes, which will take effect from 1 March 2025, aim to align New Zealand’s standards with international standards and protect public health and the environment from lead exposure.

Updated Regulations on Lead Impurities in Paints

The updated regulations will limit lead impurities in all paints, including corrosion inhibitors, to a maximum of 0.009% (90 ppm). These updates are in line with similar regulations in countries such as the US, Canada and Australia. EPA's decision ensures that even trace amounts of lead in paint are tightly controlled to prevent potential exposure, particularly from old lead-containing paint still found in many homes.

Dr Shaun Presow, EPA's Hazardous Substances Reassessments Manager, stated, "Although modern paints no longer contain lead pigments, we are taking these steps to ensure that New Zealand's regulations are as robust as possible. This change eliminates the risk of lead contamination in new paints".

Stricter Controls on Children’s Art Materials

EPA has also introduced stricter rules for children's art materials, such as crayons and chalk, by including them in the Graphic Materials Group Standard. These products must now meet strict safety standards to ensure they do not pose health risks from hazardous substances such as lead. The decision also aligns with global regulatory practices by removing the requirement for importers to report lead leaching test results to EPA.

Summary of Key Regulatory Changes (Effective 2025)

• Lead limits in all paints, including corrosion inhibitors, reduced to 90 ppm.

• Manufacturers and importers must provide test results to demonstrate compliance.

• All art materials marketed to children must comply with the Graphic Materials Group Standard, which prohibits hazardous substances such as lead.

• By 1 September 2025, all products that do not meet these new standards must be removed from the market.

These regulatory updates reflect a precautionary approach to minimizing the harmful effects of lead exposure in everyday products, further contributing to a healthier and safer environment.