ACVM Amendment Bill - Update

The Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Amendment Bill had its third reading on 23 September and has received Royal Assent. The Bill introduces a range of changes to the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act to modernise and streamline regulatory processes. The amendments arose from the Ministry for Regulation's review of agricultural and horticultural product regulation.

Key changes of interest to ACVM stakeholders are:

• A new power allowing the Director-General of the Ministry for Primary Industries to grant exemptions for certain agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines.
• Moving statutory processing timeframes from the ACVM Act into regulations.
• Replacing provisional registrations and research approvals with a single research consent framework.
• Recognition of external data assessors.
• The ability to recognise overseas regulators and use their assessment reports when evaluating applications.
• A more streamlined process for applications that also require approval from the Ministry of Health for prescription human medicines.
• Formal recognition in the Act of the current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and certification framework.
• Clarification of existing operational practices for approving and varying specifications and conditions.
• Expanded public notification requirements, including publication on the MPI website as well as in the New Zealand Gazette.

Most of these changes will not take effect immediately. For provisions that do not commence on Royal Assent, a transition period of up to two years will apply. However, the Government may bring individual provisions into force earlier through an Order in Council.

The phased implementation reflects the need to develop supporting regulations, notices and declarations, as well as manage dependencies between related changes.

In the meantime, applicants should continue to use existing forms, guidance and information requirements. ACVM will communicate any changes as they occur. Once fully implemented, the amendments are expected to result in only limited operational changes for most stakeholders.

ACVM will continue to provide updates on implementation timeframes and forthcoming changes through future editions of News & Views.

ACVM application invoicing

The ACVM hourly rate increased from $228 to $252 per hour, excluding GST, on 1 July 2026.

Applications already under assessment at that date may include work charged at both rates:

• work completed up to 30 June 2026 will be charged at $228 per hour
• work completed from 1 July 2026 will be charged at $252 per hour.

This approach ensures applicants are charged the regulated rate that applied when the work was undertaken and prevents the increased rate being applied retrospectively.

ACVM may also issue interim invoices for longer-running applications. These invoices cover work completed to date, with any remaining charges included in a later or final invoice.

Staff updates

Welcome to Ella Chappaz, Adviser Veterinary Medicines

Tēnā koutou, hello to you all. It’s been my pleasure to join MPI in the ACVM directorate as an Adviser Veterinary Medicines.

Originally from France and New Zealand, I have been lucky enough to spend many of my early years living overseas including in Canada and Germany. I moved back to New Zealand in 2013 and graduated from Massey University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science.

After completing a 12-month rotating internship in equine medicine and surgery at the Massey University Equine Clinic, I joined a busy equine general practice in 2020 where I have been working ever since. The multiple OneHealth challenges that I encountered during my day-to-day in general practice generated my passion for public health issues.

In my spare time, you’ll find me caring for my garden and my animals, scuba diving and practicing yoga. I’ll be based at the Auckland MPI office where I’m looking forward to getting started and contributing meaningfully to the ACVM team; thank you all for the warm welcome.

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR 57)

Sarah Lester represented New Zealand Food Safety at the 57^th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR), held in Beijing, China.

This year’s meeting marked two significant milestones: the 60th anniversary of CCPR and 20 years of China’s presidency of the committee. A commemorative forum highlighted CCPR’s achievements in protecting consumer health, supporting fair international food trade, and contributing to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The forum also provided an opportunity for member countries and international organisations to share experiences implementing Codex standards for pesticide residues in food and animal feed.

During the session, CCPR completed work on a large number of new maximum residue limits (MRLs), which will now be forwarded to the Codex Alimentarius Commission for adoption. The committee also agreed revisions to the approach for managing unsupported compounds that do not present public health concerns and are subject to periodic review.

Looking ahead, CCPR emphasised the importance of transparency in the development of a new dietary exposure model through an electronic working group and highlighted the need for stronger coordination between CCPR and the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods.

The New Zealand delegation of Sarah Lester (NZFS) and Ailsa Conn (Plant Exports, MPI Biosecurity). No, we did not realise we were dressed alike.

Members of CCPR57 in Beijing, China

Veterinary medicine external data assessors support group

Two listed veterinary medicines external data assessors, Mike Gieseg and Jennie Moran, are establishing a data assessors’ support group for those working on veterinary medicine dossiers and writing data assessment reports. This group will be independent of the ACVM.

The group will meet online regularly to discuss challenges when reviewing veterinary medicine dossiers, exchange ideas and help to improve the knowledge and experience of veterinary medicine data assessors. Any specific issues will be discussed anonymously and will not breach confidentiality, and when necessary, we will seek ACVM guidance. 

The first online meeting is scheduled for Thursday 29 October at 10am. Please let us know if you are interested by emailing vmdasg@gmail.com, and we will send you an invite to attend.

The list of external data assessors can be found on the MPI website here: Agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines (ACVM) registers and lists | MPI.

Well-prepared applications move faster: what the data tells us

Recent analysis of ACVM applications approved between 2022 and 2025 confirms a clear relationship between application quality and approval time.

Applications that are complete, technically robust, and assessment-ready, are generally processed more quickly than those requiring multiple requests for additional information. By contrast, applications with data gaps or inconsistencies often experience longer approval timeframes while applicants gather and submit further information.

Common issues identified include:

• Missing supporting data or study reports.
• Incomplete product specifications.
• Inconsistencies between application forms and supporting documents.
• Insufficient justification for claims or use patterns.
• Failure to address applicable guidance requirements.

Applicants can help improve processing times by ensuring applications are complete before submission, using current guidance documents, and undertaking a quality review prior to submission.

Improving application quality benefits everyone by reducing unnecessary delays and allowing technical resources to be focused on assessment rather than administration.

ACVM performance snapshot

Demand for ACVM regulatory services remains high, with technical teams continuing to manage a diverse portfolio of veterinary medicine, agricultural chemical, and vertebrate toxic agent applications.

This year, the ACVM programme has maintained a strong focus on improving efficiency, reducing avoidable delays, and ensuring New Zealand farmers, growers and veterinarians have timely access to products that support productivity and animal welfare.

Alongside processing new product and variation applications, technical staff continue to support:

• The Self-Assessable Variation work programme.
• Compliance and enforcement activities.
• International regulatory engagement.
• Reassessments and risk management initiatives.
• Pharmacovigilance and post-market monitoring.
• Onboarding and training of new technical staff.

Monthly performance reports are available on the MPI website Monthly ACVM product registration reports for industry | MPI for stakeholders interested in more detailed information on application volumes and processing performance.

Compliance update

ACVM Regulatory Programmes received 21 reports of potential non-compliant ACVM products and activities in September 2026, of which:

• 19% were complaints of potentially non-compliant exempt or unregistered ACVM products being advertised and/or sold;
• 19% were complaints of potentially non-compliant ACVM registered products being advertised and/or sold;
• 10% were notifications of non-complying batches of ACVM registered products released or yet to be released to the market; and
• 52% were international notifications of rapid alerts, recalls or Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) non-compliance reports. The majority of which did not affect ACVM products in New Zealand.

In 2026, 231 events have been received as of 25 September:

Thank you to those who have reported events. If you’re not familiar with the process, here’s what to do:

• If you identify an issue with your product on the market, please notify us via our forms for a registered product or exempt product.
• If you identify a suspected non-compliant ACVM product or activity, please complete our ACVM reporting form and include as much information as possible.

We manage a high volume of reports and prioritise these based on risk and potential impact. While we aim to action all matters promptly, timeframes may vary depending on the nature and urgency of each report and our workload. For more information on how we handle reports of potential non-compliance, please visit https://www.mpi.govt.nz/agriculture/agricultural-compounds-vet-medicines/acvm-non-compliance-and-recalls/non-compliant-acvm-products-or-activities/

Why adverse event reporting matters

Post-market monitoring is a critical part of ensuring agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines continue to perform as expected once in use.

Adverse event reports can provide valuable information about unexpected product performance, safety issues or emerging trends that may not have been apparent during pre-market assessment. Timely reporting allows ACVM to investigate concerns, assess risks and, where necessary, take appropriate regulatory action.

When submitting a report, providing detailed information helps us assess the issue more efficiently. Useful information includes:

• Product details and batch numbers.
• Species and number of animals affected.
• Circumstances of use.
• Clinical observations.
• Relevant laboratory findings or veterinary assessments.

Even if causation is uncertain, reports may provide important information when considered alongside other reports and data. See our website for more information Adverse events with ACVMs | MPI.

Approvals Team Tips

Certificates of Compliance/Pharmaceutical Product

Some overseas markets require MPI to issue certification for agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines (ACVMs).

If you request additional statements for an Export Certificate that are not included on the standard ACVM 78 form, the ACVM technical team will assess the request on a case-by-case basis. The team will determine whether the additional statements can be included on the certificate.

We can certify products that are registered under ACVM legislation.

Additional charges may apply for the time required to assess and process these requests.

More information can be found on this webpage: ACVM export certificates | MPI.

Multi-Product ACVM Variation Applications (that are not Self-Assessable Variations)

The following applies for multiple products to be reviewed as one application (noting this only applies for C1-C10 variations and not self-assessable variations (SAVs)):

Each product must have identical conditions applied, with no additional or missing conditions.

• Each product must use the same product type and formulation type.
• The requested changes must be identical for all products. For example, you cannot request additional or fewer changes for one product than for the others.
• Applicants must not have outstanding information requirements that apply to only one product. Either no outstanding information can remain, or the outstanding information must be the same for all products.

More information can be found on this webpage:  Agricultural Compound and Veterinary Medicine (ACVM) registration process | MPI.

ACVM Approvals Online – Class Determination portal – are your applications remaining in draft status?

Important: complete your application after payment

 We've identified a common issue where applications remain in draft status even though payment has been successfully completed.

What happens next
 After your payment is approved in the Windcave Payment Checkout screen, you must click the "Next" button to return to the portal and complete the submission process.

Required Steps

1.       Enter your payment details and click Submit.

2.       Wait for the “Transaction Approved” message. Do not close the browser tab after payment is approved.

3.       Click the "Next" button on the approval screen. If the Next button is not clicked, your payment may be processed, but your application can remain in Draft and will not be submitted for assessment.

4.       Confirm your application has moved to “submitted” status.

Tip: Always check that your application appears in your submitted list after making payment.

This simple final step ensures your application is successfully submitted and received for processing.

For more information, please refer to: Class determinations and self-determinations under the ACVM Act 1997 | MPI. 

Upcoming engagement opportunities

ACVM staff will continue engaging with industry representatives, sector groups and regulatory counterparts throughout the remainder of 2026.

We value your feedback and encourage participation in consultation processes and engagement events as opportunities arise. These discussions help ensure the regulatory system remains effective, proportionate and responsive to emerging technologies and sector needs.

Details of public consultations are published on the MPI website here Consultations | MPI and promoted through future editions of News & Views. You can subscribe to updates here Subscribe to MPI | MPI.

Contact us

ACVM, New Zealand Food Safety Haumaru Kai Aotearoa

Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

Email approvals@mpi.govt.nz  

Website Agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines (ACVM) | Agriculture | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz)

Subscribe to ‘Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines’ and ‘ACVM recalls’ on the Ministry for Primary Industries website to receive email updates on matters relating to ACVM.