New Zealand Sets Disposal Deadlines for Chlorpyrifos Following EPA Reassessment
Reference source : New Zealand Gazette
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withdrawn and disposed of.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.