Brought to you by the Environmental Protection Authority
No Images? Click here
Hazardous Substances
Update
June 2019
Hazardous Substances Update #189
In this issue we have a call for views on the fungicide Amicus and the herbicide Method 240 SL, plus updates on synthetic pyrethroids, paraquat, methyl bromide, the NZ Inventory of Chemicals, HFC permit info, data requirements for chemical pesticides and a couple of handy workshops.
Articles
Open for submissions – AMICUS
Views are sought on an application to introduce the fungicide Amicus to New Zealand.
The applicant, Nufarm, is seeking approval to import or manufacture Amicus as a novel fungicide for the control of the diseases club root in transplanted brassica crops and powdery scab in potatoes.
The active ingredient in Amicus, amisulbrom, is new to New Zealand, and is applied to brassicas as a pre-plant seedling drench and to potatoes as an in-furrow spray.
The application proposes that while there are some risks associated with AMICUS, these can be managed and mitigated by following use instructions. Nufarm says this substance would provide a beneficial tool for the horticultural industry in disease control and resistance management.
This application is being publicly notified to enable people to provide us with information they believe we should be aware of, such as beneficial or adverse effects additional to those the applicant has described.
Application to import wilding conifer herbicide
Views are sought on an application to import Method 240 SL Herbicide to control wilding conifers and other woody weeds.
Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd has applied for approval to import the herbicide.
The active ingredient, aminocyclopyrachlor, would be a new substance to New Zealand. It is approved in Australia, Canada and the USA.
If approved, Method 240 SL Herbicide would be used to control wilding conifers and other woody weeds such as gorse, broom, blackberry and thistles. The herbicide would be sprayed on non-crop farmland and conservation land such as native bush, recreational and tourist areas and on industrial sites such as railways and roadways.
The applicant says the risk associated with the product is low, and is proposing a 9.1D classification (slightly harmful to the aquatic environment).
Views of the public are sought on the potential beneficial or adverse effects additional to those described by the applicant.
Submissions close at 5.00 pm on 31 July 2019.
Synthetic pyrethroids update
In October 2018 it was decided that there are grounds to reassess 11 synthetic pyrethroid insecticides which are used in a variety of settings, including agriculture, bed bug and flea treatments, and in household fly sprays and automatic dispensers.
Nine of these chemicals are on our priority chemicals list. The synthetic pyrethroids included are: alpha-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, bioresmethrin, cyfluthrin (including beta-cyfluthrin), cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenvalerate, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin and tetramethrin.
The call for information closed on 1 March 2019, and a total of 516 individual responses were received. These responses are being reviewed and collated prior to preparation of an application to reassess these substances being publicly notified.
The application will contain any proposed changes the EPA may determine are required to approvals associated with these substances, and we will seek feedback via submissions on those proposals.
Further information on timelines and submission periods will be made available in coming updates.
Update on paraquat reassessment
The submission period for the reassessment of paraquat herbicides (APP203301) closed on 30 April 2019 – 18 were received.
The information in the submissions is being evaluated. A number of submitters indicated they wish to be heard at the two-day hearing, provisionally scheduled for 11 and 12 September 2019 in Wellington.
Future updates will provide further information and confirmation of dates. Parties in the process will also be notified directly.
Methyl bromide reassessment
Stakeholders in Methyl Bromide Reduction Inc lodged an application to reassess methyl bromide, used in quarantine and pre-shipment fumigations. This application will follow a modified reassessment process. This will be a publicly notified application and so submissions on the application will be invited once the application is made available publicly. Future updates will follow as this application progresses.
HFC eligibility decisions released
Applications for grandparented eligibility for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) closed on 18 March 2019, and were decided on 27 June 2019.
This was a one-off opportunity for importers of new bulk HFCs in 2015, 2016 or 2017. No further grandparented eligibility can be granted, but parties can apply to transfer eligibility from an existing grandparented eligibility holder.
Reminder: Hydrofluorocarbon permits
Applications for special permits to import new bulk HFCs close on 1 July 2019, and on 1 September 2019 for grandparented permits.
From 1 January 2020 all imports, transhipments and exports of specified HFCs will require a permit from the EPA. Permits must be applied for in 2019.
If you export HFCs from 2020 onwards, you may be eligible for an exporter’s import permit to replace the quantity exported. Export permits, exporter’s import permits, import permits for recycled HFCs, and exemptions for transhipments may be applied for in 2020.
New Zealand chemical inventory updated
The EPA has released an update to the New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals (NZIoC).
Most group standards require every hazardous component to be listed in the NZIoC. This information is then made available in a database on the EPA website. The June 2019 update includes substances notified between December 2017 and February 2019.
Workshops on hazardous waste
The EPA hosted a workshop on hazardous waste in Auckland on 12 June 2019.
The session was well attended, and covered requirements for storing and disposing of hazardous substances, and requirements for the transboundary movement of hazardous waste that can’t be dealt with in an environmentally sound manner in the country of origin.
Graphic materials workshop
The EPA hosted another workshop on graphic materials such as paints, crayons and finger paints in Auckland on 12 June. We dispensed information and sought feedback on process improvements. More about these changes coming soon.
Data requirements for chemical pesticides containing active ingredients
The data requirements for applications for new chemical pesticides containing active ingredients have now been updated.
Access the revised document - changes are highlighted in yellow.
No significant new information is required compared to previous versions. Changes provide more accurate/specific information on what type of data is required or conditionally required on either the active ingredient or the formulation containing it.
If you are uncertain about what information is needed for your application then please get in touch.
Recent decisions
Tip – all HSNO decisions are now displayed by default in descending date order in the HSNO applications database on our website. Tap the spacebar once, then hit Enter to see the latest.
May 2019
APP203800 by Biotelliga Limited to import or manufacture SF7489 in containment
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 01 May 2019
APP203823 by Eurofins Agroscience Services to import or manufacture R-148531 5EC Fungicide in containment
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 07 May 2019
APP203777 by Bayer CropScience to import or manufacture K-Obiol EC Combi Synergised Grain Protectant in containment
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 14 May 2019
APP203792 by Innospec Limited to seek approval for the import and release of a surfactant for the reformulation into personal care products
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 20 May 2019
APP203804 by PGG Wrightsons Import or manufacture PGG Wrightson Experimental Plant Protection Products in containment
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 20 May 2019
APP203349 by Nufarm Limited to determine if Lion 490 DST (alternative formulation) is hazardous
Decision: Determination Made – Unable to be determined and notified on 21 May 2019
APP203647 by Renovo Technologies Ltd to manufacture RF-055 (active ingredient indoxacarb) as a bait for controlling nuisance wasps outdoors
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 22 May 2019
APP203344 by Bayer New Zealand Limited to import Artist, a pre-emergence selective herbicide containing 240 g/kg flufenacet and 175 g/kg metribuzin in the form of a water dispersible granule for the control of annual weeds in potatoes
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 27 May 2019
APP203747 by Fulton Hogan Limited (Traded as Green Fuels) to determine if Recycled Lubricating Oil is hazardous
Withdrawn applications
No hazardous substance applications, previously notified, were withdrawn in this period.
Amendments to approvals
No amendments were made under section 67A of the HSNO Act for minor or technical errors, decided by the EPA or the Chief Executive under delegated powers from the EPA during this period.
Keep up to date with EPA consultation
You can comment on any of the public proposals we receive. Your input is an important contribution to the final decision.
For the latest information on public consultations, please see our website. We'll also tweet about any consultation openings and closings.
 |  |  |  |  |
Environmental Protection Authority
Level 10, 215 Lambton Quay
Wellington 6011
New Zealand
Phone: +64 4 916 2426
Fax: +64 4 914 0433