Hazardous Substances Update

September 2018
Hazardous Substances Update #182

In this issue we talk about our Safer Homes partnership with Wellington Rugby; ask for submissions on pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides; and let you know the requirements for explosives are changing.

Articles

Wellington Rugby help raise awareness for chemical safety

The EPA has partnered with Wellington Lions and Women’s Pride teams to help raise awareness of the need for care with everyday chemicals – from cleaning agents, solvents, paints and thinners, to garden products such as insecticides and plant sprays.

Sadly, many young children each year are accidentally poisoned by common household products.Wellington’s rugby players will be taking a lead role in the EPA’s Safer Homes programme, to help keep New Zealand families safe around hazardous substances.

You can read more about this on the EPA website, and check out our information on staying safe with hazardous substances.

Call for information: EPA seeking information on pesticides

The EPA is seeking information on three neonicotinoid pesticides; clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam, and their use in New Zealand.

We are looking to find out more information about;

Manufacture and import volumes
Use and application information
Environmental exposure mitigation measures
Scientific and technical information
Information about alternative products

We are requesting all information is provided by 30 December 2018 and submission forms are available on our website.

You can find out more about this call for information here.

Open for submissions: New fungicide for cereal crops

Bayer New Zealand has applied for approval to import a new fungicide, Vimoy Iblon, to combat fungal diseases in cereal crops. The active ingredient isoflucypram is a new active ingredient globally and to New Zealand.

You can submit online, and submissions close on 17 October 2018.

You can find out more here.

Requirements for explosives are changing

From 1 October 2018, the requirements for import certificates for explosives are changing. As part of the fees consultation, the EPA also consulted on changes to the requirements for import certificates.

There will be new application forms, and some products no longer require an import certificate from the EPA.

Open for submissions: Changing use of an insecticide

FMC New Zealand Ltd has applied for a reassessment of the existing approval for Exirel insecticide. The application has been made to reconsider the current restriction to ground-based use to allow the spraying of brassicas from helicopters.

You can submit online, and submissions close on 18 October 2018.

You can find out more here.

Recent decisions

Decisions on applications
August 2018

Hint – 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.

APP203363 by Bayer New Zealand Limited to import for release Kestrel into New Zealand as a co-formulated emulsifiable concentrate delivering 160g/L prothioconazole and 80 g/L tebuconazole for use on cereals.
Decision: Approved with controls and decision notified on 8 August 2018

APP203617 by AsureQuality Limited – Wellington to import or manufacture POP in containment
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 13 August 2018

APP203595 by Kiwicare Corporation Limited to manufacture SPRTU 426 as a combination of fungicide/insecticide for plant disease and insect control on roses and ornamentals.
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 17 August 2018

APP203435 by PMANZ to remove the flammability classification from the methyl bromide gas.
Decision: Grounds do not exist for reassessment and decision notified on 17 August 2018

APP203583 by Nufarm New Zealand Limited to import nine Experimental Agricultural Chemicals Identified by a code number into containment for small-scale field trials.
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 20 August 2018

APP203497 by Agrisource (2000) Limited to approve Upbeet an oil dispersible concentrate containing 150g/l Metamitron, 106 g/l phenmedipham and 50 g/l ethofumesate for the treatment of weeds in fodder beets and sugar beets.
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 20 August 2018

APP203025 by Orion AgriScience Limited to import or manufacture a suspension concentrate containing 440 g/L of Buprofezin. The product is an insect growth regulator that primarily interferes with the moulting of immature stages of mealy bugs, scales and whitefly to decrease pest populations.
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 21 August 2018

APP203594 by Weedingtech (NZ) Ltd to import for release Foamstream V4, a soluble concentrate containing 3.99 % surfactant foaming agents, plus other components. Foamstream V4 is intended for use as herbicide for the control of weeds, moss, and algae in public areas.
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 22 August 2018

APP203552 by Renovo Technologies Ltd to manufacture RF-054 (active ingredient indoxacarb), a suspension concentrate insecticide for use in controlling ants and other insect pests outdoors.
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 24 August 2018

APP203369 by IPPC to determine if EPICOCCUM WP is hazardous.
Decision: Determination made - unable to be determined and notified on 24 August 2018

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.

Other news

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.