New Zealand Regulatory News

New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed the phase-out of chlorpyrifos, with strict deadlines now in place for the use and disposal of the pesticide. The move follows ...

New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed the phase-out of chlorpyrifos, with strict deadlines now in place for the use and disposal of the pesticide. The move follows the EPA’s July 2025 decision to revoke all approvals for chlorpyrifos, citing unacceptable risks to human health and the environment.

Disposal Timelines Announced

A notice published in the New Zealand Gazette (2025-au4759) sets out a staged withdrawal:

• By 8 January 2026: Use of many chlorpyrifos formulations (including liquids, solids, granules and wettable powders) must cease, with mandatory disposal required by the same date.
• By 8 July 2026: A second group of chlorpyrifos formulations, such as emulsifiable concentrates, must be withdrawn and disposed of.
• By 8 July 2027: The final remaining chlorpyrifos substances, including pure chlorpyrifos and certain granules, must be removed from the market.

After 8 January 2027, no import or manufacture of chlorpyrifos or chlorpyrifos-containing products will be permitted. The full list of affected substances is available in the New Zealand Gazette notice.

EPA Guidance

In a statement on 3 September 2025, EPA urged users to prepare for disposal well ahead of the deadlines and to consider safe alternatives. The agency stressed that holders of chlorpyrifos stocks must take responsibility for ensuring safe and timely disposal to avoid non-compliance.

The reassessment and phase-out reflect a broader regulatory shift in New Zealand, aligning with international action to reduce risks associated with organophosphate insecticides.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of New Zealand has updated its regulatory requirements for businesses that import or manufacture hazardous substances. According to the consolidated Hazard...

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of New Zealand has updated its regulatory requirements for businesses that import or manufacture hazardous substances. According to the consolidated Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Notice 2015, with amendments effective from 1 January 2026, all companies handling hazardous chemicals must register key business and product information and submit annual reports on substance quantities. 

New Reporting Requirements for Hazardous Substance Importers and Manufacturers in New Zealand 

The revised notice requires all importers and manufacturers of hazardous substances to submit detailed business information to EPA. This includes their 

• New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) 
• Registered address and contact person 
• Company website (if applicable) 

All relevant HSNO approval numbers or group standard titles for each hazardous substance they handle.  

These updates are intended to enhance traceability and improve regulatory oversight of hazardous materials in New Zealand. 

Companies must submit this information within 30 days of first importing or manufacturing a hazardous substance. Any changes, such as a new contact person or updated approvals, must also be reported within 30 days. This system allows EPA to maintain a real-time, accurate register of hazardous substances used or introduced into the New Zealand market. 

Annual Reporting of Hazardous Chemicals Now Mandatory 

Beginning with the 2025 calendar year, manufacturers and importers will be required to file annual reports by 31 May each year. These reports must include the total quantities of specified identified substances, including agrichemicals, antifouling agents, timber treatment chemicals, and certain veterinary medicines. The new reporting requirements also applies to explosives manufacturers, who must report the volumes of explosive substances and related components handled during the previous year. 

Additional Requirements for Explosives Importers 

Businesses importing explosive materials must comply with even stricter obligations. This includes providing advance shipment information, securing an import certificate, and ensuring materials meet approved standards. These safeguards are intended to reduce the risk of misuse and ensure that national safety and environmental standards are met. 

Why These EPA Regulations Matter 

The new EPA rules enhance the oversight of hazardous substances in New Zealand, thereby reinforcing the country’s commitments to environmental protection, chemical safety, and workplace health. By requiring more accurate and timely reporting, EPA will be better equipped to assess environmental risks, improve regulatory enforcement, and develop data-driven policies. 

These updates also position New Zealand alongside other global leaders in chemical regulation and promote safer industrial practices for hazardous materials. Improved data collection also allows for more responsive intervention in case of chemical incidents or non-compliance. 

Key Compliance Deadlines and Business Impact 

• 1 January 2026: The new consolidated EPA Notice takes effect. 
• 31 May 2026: First annual reports are due, covering activities from 2025. 
• Ongoing: All first-time importers/manufacturers must register within 30 days. 

 Failure to comply with these updated requirements may result in penalties or enforcement actions under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act. Businesses are urged to review their internal systems and ensure that they can provide EPA with the required records, test data, and accurate quantity reports in a timely manner. 

How to Comply with the EPA Importers and Manufacturers Notice 

Businesses can visit the EPA’s official website to access: 

• The full consolidated notice document 
• Compliance guidelines and reporting templates 
• A searchable group standards database for substance classification 
• Walkthroughs for hazardous substance registration and annual reporting 

This regulatory update underscores EPA’s commitment to improving chemical safety standards across New Zealand. Companies involved in the importation, manufacturing, or distribution of chemicals should begin compliance preparation immediately. 

New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed that the transition period for fluorotelomer-based firefighting foams will end on 3 December 2025. After this date, C6 fluorotelo...

New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed that the transition period for fluorotelomer-based firefighting foams will end on 3 December 2025. After this date, C6 fluorotelomer foams can only be used with EPA’s explicit approval and must meet strict purity and usage standards outlined in the Fire Fighting Chemicals Group Standard 2021 (HSR002573).

Key Changes

• C6 fluorotelomer foams will require prior permission for continued use in firefighting systems. Import and manufacture will remain permitted if they comply with group standards and purity requirements.

• All applications for continued use must be submitted to the EPA as soon as possible.

No Extension for Legacy PFAS Foams

There will be no extension for legacy PFAS foams which are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Their use in any system ends completely on 3 December 2025, following the earlier phase-out of uncontained uses in December 2022.

Background

Since 2020, New Zealand has been phasing out firefighting foams containing PFAS due to their persistence in the environment and potential health risks. The 2021 Fire Fighting Chemicals Group Standard regulates both legacy and C6-based foams by setting requirements for labelling, disposal, and transitioning to safer alternatives.

For more information, see the official group standard here.

New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has set 30 April 2025 as the final deadline for importers, manufacturers, and suppliers to comply with updated labelling, Safety Data Sheet (SD...

New Zealand’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has set 30 April 2025 as the final deadline for importers, manufacturers, and suppliers to comply with updated labelling, Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and packaging notices. These updates align with the seventh revised edition of the Globally Harmonised System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 7) and introduce new regulatory requirements for hazardous substances under the Hazardous Substances Notices. When the transition period ends, full compliance with the new standards will be mandatory.

Background

In April 2021, EPA updated the regulations for:

• Labelling of hazardous substances

• Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

• Packaging compliance

A four-year transition period was provided for industry stakeholders to adopt the updated requirements. The transition ends on 30 April 2025, when full compliance becomes mandatory.

Who Must Comply

Importers and Manufacturers

As of 30 April 2025, all hazardous substances must meet the following updated compliance standards:

• Hazardous Substances (Labelling Notice) 2017 – Updated 30 April 2021

• Hazardous Substances (Safety Data Sheets Notice) 2017 – Updated 30 April 2021

• Hazardous Substances (Packaging Notice) 2017 – Updated 30 April 2021

Suppliers

• All hazardous substances in the supply chain must comply with the updated GHS 7 standards.

• There will be no additional grace period beyond 30 April 2025 for stock-in-trade.

Compliance Requirements

Labelling and SDS Compliance

• Labels and SDSs that are already compliant with GHS 5 are likely to meet GHS 7 standards.

• Reclassification will be required for substances with desensitised explosive and flammable gas classifications due to classification framework changes.

• Minor updates to precautionary statements may be needed.

If a label or SDS does not comply with GHS 5, updates will be needed before the deadline.

Packaging Compliance

• Full compliance with the 2021 Packaging Notice is required by 30 April 2025,.

• The updated regulations align with international packaging standards for:

  • Transport of dangerous goods

  • Child-resistant packaging

Alternative Compliance Provisions

The updated notices allow for alternative compliance using standards from Australia, the U.S., Canada, or the EU, if they meet the following conditions:

• New Zealand-specific labelling and SDS details are added.

• Packaging meets the child-resistant and permanent identification standards of international jurisdictions.

Record Keeping Requirements

Importers and manufacturers using alternative compliance provisions must:

• Document their compliance strategy and the jurisdiction they are following.

• Maintain records for at least two years after the substance is no longer supplied.

Next Steps

• Review your hazardous substance compliance with GHS 7.

• Update labels, SDSs, and packaging before 30 April 2025.

• Consult EPA notices for complete regulatory details.

The regulation of chemicals in New Zealand is governed by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO), which was enacted in 1996. Since its implementation, 22 regulations have been published...

The regulation of chemicals in New Zealand is governed by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO), which was enacted in 1996. Since its implementation, 22 regulations have been published covering various categories of chemicals, including industrial chemicals, detergents, cosmetics, agrochemicals, food additives, veterinary medicines, and bulk medicines. The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) oversees the New Organisms aspect of the HSNO Act, while the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is responsible for the management of hazardous substances. In addition, WorkSafe New Zealand manages hazardous substances in the workplace to ensure safety and compliance.

New Zealand maintains a chemical inventory known as the New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals (NZIoC), which contains a variety of substances, including hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals known to be present in the country. While the NZIoC is not a list of approvals, it does provide information on whether a chemical falls under a Group Standard, which is a regulatory approval for substances of similar nature, hazard, or use. All Group Standards require compliance with EPA Notices. Hazardous chemicals in New Zealand are defined based on intrinsic properties such as explosiveness, flammability, oxidation capacity, corrosiveness, toxicity, and ecotoxicity. Substances listed in the NZIoC receive specific HSNO approval codes or are assigned to Group Standard approvals for use in chemical products. However, impurities, by-products, and certain manufactured articles are not included in the inventory and do not require notification under the HSNO Act.

Key News from 2024

New Zealand Bans PFAS in Cosmetics Effective December 31, 2026

On January 30, 2024, the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) announced a ban on the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetic products, effective December 31, 2026. The decision is part of a comprehensive update to the Cosmetic Products Group Standard, which aims to align regulations with global developments and enhance consumer safety. EPA has also strengthened regulations to cover non-hazardous cosmetic products that contain hazardous ingredients to ensure effective enforcement of banned and restricted substance regulations Read more here.

New Zealand Amends Requirements for Importers and Manufacturers of Hazardous Substances

On June 12, 2024, the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) published the Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Amendment Notice 2024 under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996. The amendment introduces new obligations for importers and manufacturers of hazardous substances, including the provision of New Zealand Business Numbers (NZBN), annual reporting of quantities imported or manufactured, and specific details for certain explosives. The Notice comes into effect in two phases: clauses 13, 14, and 15 came into effect on January 1, 2025, while the remaining provisions will come into force on January 1, 2026. These changes aim to enhance the management and oversight of hazardous substances in New Zealand. Read more here.

 

New Zealand EPA Proposes Ban on Chlorpyrifos Following Reassessment

On November 25, 2024, the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) announced a proposal to revoke all approvals for chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide widely used in agriculture. The decision follows a comprehensive reassessment that found significant risks to human health and the environment, including threats to birds, bees, and aquatic ecosystems. If implemented, the ban would bring New Zealand in line with international action taken by Canada, the European Union, and Australia. Read more here.

 

Key Dates for 2025

The Hazardous Substances Notices provided a 4-year transitional period to allow stakeholders to make the necessary changes to labels and SDSs. Therefore, from April 30, 2025 labels and SDSs must be prepared in accordance with the GHS 7 standards. .

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 pes...

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 marke...

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.