Hazardous Substances
Update

November 2018
Hazardous Substances Update #184

In this issue we have information on LPG guidance, the requirements for importing children's graphic materials, the Consumer NZ project about use of hazardous chemicals in the home and much more. 

Please note the next issue of the Hazardous Substances Update will be sent in February 2019 and will contain the decisions from December 2018 and January 2019. 

Articles

Updated systems will keep New Zealanders safe

This year, our Annual Report puts a strong emphasis on our role as a pro-active regulator, focusing our efforts and resources on the things that matter most to New Zealand and New Zealanders.

Part of that includes an ambitious programme to update the way hazardous substance applications are managed.

Fiona Thomson-Carter, General Manager of EPA’s Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Group explains: “New Zealand imports around $11 billion-worth chemicals and related products every year. Our aim is to simplify the process, making it quicker and easier for importers and exporters to comply with the rules. As a first step we are moving to the universally recognised Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).”

GHS is an internationally agreed system that classifies chemicals based on their human and environmental hazards.  

Continue reading on our website. 

LPG guidance 

We have published new guidance on our website for LPG suppliers, compliance certifiers and enforcement officers who are working at homes (and other places that are not workplaces). We also updated our information about storing LPG at home and in other non-workplaces.

Find out more on our website. 

Consumer NZ project about use of hazardous chemicals in the home 

We have commissioned Consumer NZ to undertake a project about use of hazardous chemicals in the home. Use, and disposal, of hazardous products attracts a lot of questions from the public at our Safer Homes displays.

The project’s aim is to raise awareness of the hazards posed by some of chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, paint thinners and solvents, and of how to dispose of used, partly-used, and any products that have been banned.

The project has three parts:

• a survey of Consumer NZ members, about what chemicals they have in the home, including banned active ingredients, and knowledge of how to dispose of used or partly-used products
• gathering information from local authorities about disposal options available in different parts of New Zealand
• publication of the survey results, and a guide to how to dispose of hazardous chemicals safely.

Consumer NZ has now finished surveying their members and is moving on to gathering information from local authorities, with a view to publishing the results and guide in February/March 2019, and promoting the safety information to the public.

We will be doing complementary communications through our Safer Homes programme, to support the work to raise public’s awareness of how to dispose of hazardous chemicals safely.

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation that has a trusted reputation and extensive media reach. It partners with a number of government agencies on public-interest projects, notably the Ministry of Health and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.

EPA decision-making is becoming more accessible

The EPA is continuing to make more information about decisions publicly available. From 1 July 2018, we are releasing science memos for non-notified applications as part of the decision notification process.

This will ensure that the information we make available about non-notified applications is consistent with the information for notified applications. This change does not apply for section 26 determinations, containment or transhipment applications.

The science memos will have some information redacted, where this has been considered sensitive. Applicants will have an opportunity to identify information they would like to be considered for redaction.

Requirements for importing crayons, finger paints and watercolour paints

Did you know that you need to apply to the EPA before you can import or manufacture crayons, finger paints and watercolour paints for children?

These requirements are in place to keep children safe, and set limits on certain elements that can be found in graphic materials.

You can find out more, including information on how to apply on our website. 

Call for information on synthetic pyrethroids

A decision making committee determined that grounds for the reassessment of 11 synthetic pyrethroid insecticides exist, and we are now calling for information. The decision can be viewed here. 

You can read more about the call for information on our website. 

Responses for home, pet and garden use products (including products sprayed in the home by professionals) are due by 1 February 2019. 

Responses for agricultural and other commercial, non-home use products are due by 1 March 2019.

Use of synthetic pyrethroids

The EPA has released a Caution Notice to raise awareness of the risks posed by over-the-counter synthetic pyrethroid insecticides.

You can read more on our website.

Reminder: Christmas shutdown periods

If you’re look at putting in an application over the Christmas period, our processing timeframes are suspended over the Christmas break. We have provided our statutory shut down periods below to ensure that you can factor them in now and avoid any foreseeable delays.

Shut-down periods:

• Hazardous Substances and New Organisms applications (including explosives): Thursday 20 December 2018 to Tuesday 15 January 2019
• OLPA applications: Tuesday 25 December 2018 to Tuesday 15 January 2019
• All other application types (hazardous waste, asbestos, graphic materials): Friday 21 December 2018 to Thursday 3 January 2019

Recent decisions

Decisions on applications 
October 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.

APP203403 by Shandong Rainbow International Co Limited to import Worthide Xtra containing pymetrozine 500 g/kg in the form of a water dispersible granule for use as an insecticide for the control of Aphids, Green Peach Aphids, and Whitefly.
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 04 October 2018

APP203596 by Caledonian Holdings Ltd to import or manufacture BioR-Al for release
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 04 October 2018

APP203566 by Adria New Zealand Limited to import Prune Seal fungicide, containing 10.5 g/L tebuconazole, for direct application to control European Canker and Silver Leaf in pipfruit and summer fruit, and for sealing grafts and pruning wounds in summerfruit, pipfruit, kiwifruit, grapes, and ornamental.
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 05 October 2018

APP203498 by Chiwi Fire Proofing Technology Ltd to determine if XHS-02 Water-Based Fire Proof Paint is hazardous
Decision: Determination made – unable to determined and notified on 10 October 2018   

APP203636 by BASF New Zealand Ltd To import or manufacture IMTREX® for release
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 17 September 2018

APP203485 by Kenso Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd to determine if Cletho 240 EC Selective Herbicide is hazardous
Decision: Determination made - unable to be determined and notified on 17 September 2018

APP203524 by Agrinova New Zealand Limited to determine if excel plus oil is hazardous
Decision: Determination made - unable to be determined and notified on 10 October 2018

APP203654 by Avivagen Inc. to determine if OxC-betaTM Poultry, OxC-betaTM Dairy, OxC-betaTM Swine is hazardous
Decision: Determination made - unable to be determined and notified on 29 October 2018

APP203160 by Renovo Technologies Ltd to manufacture RF-045 containing the active ingredient indoxacarb as a suspension concentrate insecticide for use in controlling household insect pests
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 29 October 2018

APP203613 by ETEC Crop Solutions Limited to import or manufacture ETEC Crop Solutions Ltd Experimental Plant Protection Compounds in containment
Decision: Approved with Controls and decision notified on 31 October 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.