Hazardous Substances
Update

Kia ora

Welcome to the Environmental Protection Authority’s wrap of news, decisions, and consultations involving hazardous substances for May. It’s been another busy month.  

In this edition we have updates on:  

• Introducing Dr Fernando Torres-Vélez 
• Our latest quarterly report on hazardous substances performance 
• HSNO Amendment Bill  
• Call for feedback on bifenthrin insecticide 
• Ban on bioresmethrin, cyhalothrin, and fenvalerate  
• Restricting three new Stockholm Convention POPs 
• Plan ahead: Get your applications for HFC permits in 
• Update on proposed group standard for treated seed  
• And more.

Help us to help you stay informed about hazardous substances. Please forward this newsletter to interested colleagues so they can sign up to receive the newsletter here: subscribe to HS Update

Introducing Dr Fernando Torres-Vélez

Over the coming editions of HS Update, Dr Fernando Torres-Vélez, our new General Manager, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms will outline his hazardous substances priorities.  

Four months into the role and with his feet firmly under the desk, Dr Torres-Vélez shares the positive results from the third hazardous substances quarterly report, along with some background about himself.  

Dr Torres-Vélez comes to the EPA with a long and distinguished career in infectious disease research and the management of scientific programmes in the USA. 

“For me, coming here to this role is coming full circle. My background is in infectious disease pathology, which is about understanding disease processes. I started my career studying how human environmental impact can lead to the emergence of pathogens.  

“I worked in management of highly regulated diagnostic and research laboratories for infectious disease in the USA. So I bring that experience in regulated environments and in government. 

“Most of my career, I have worked as a public health veterinarian at the intersection of public, animal, and ecosystem health. 

“In my role at the EPA, I’m also ensuring that our people, animals and the environment are protected when new hazardous substances and organisms are introduced in New Zealand. 

“The improvements we are making with hazardous substance applications are already paying off with a gradual increase in efficiencies and small wins in the processes, workflows, and use of pathways. These wins are encouraging and together are supporting access to innovative products.   

“There are opportunities for future innovation, including new technology, to drive further efficiency. I am taking a multi-pronged approach to improve operational efficiencies. I will share more about this in the coming months,” says Dr Torres-Vélez.  

Our latest quarterly report on hazardous substances performance

The reports track how we are progressing against the measures set in our 2025/26 Statement of Performance Expectations. We want to improve clarity and transparency around our timeframes, priorities, and processes. 

We’ve increased our reporting because this information is important to our stakeholders.   

For five consecutive quarters since January 2025, we have completed more assessments than were lodged. 

A total of 55 hazardous substances applications were decided in the first three quarters of the 2025-26 year.  

There are now 74 hazardous substances applications in the queue, down from 96 applications on 30 June 2025, a 23 percent reduction.

HSNO Amendment Bill

We welcome the announcement by Environment Minister Nicola Grigg about the amendments to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 to improve access to new agricultural and horticultural products. 
 
The proposed legislative changes are an important element in the programme of improvements underway for businesses applying to introduce new chemicals. 
 
The EPA has worked with other agencies on these improvements to the HSNO Act.  
 
The proposed changes will:  

• streamline application processes  
• make approval timeframes more predictable  
• allow the temporary use of certain hazardous substances already approved overseas while a full New Zealand assessment continues  
• clarify the use of the existing international regulator rapid assessment pathway  
• enhance how we regulate under the HSNO Act. 

Call for feedback on bifenthrin insecticide

We are reassessing bifenthrin insecticide and we are calling for submissions on our proposal to significantly restrict its use. 

The public consultation runs from 21 May -21 July 2026.

Bifenthrin is used on a wide range of crops, including kiwifruit, squash, vegetable brassicas, and tomatoes to control insects. It is also used to treat timber, for professional pest management, for biosecurity, and as an insecticide in and around the home and garden.  

For some uses, the scale of the risks to fish and aquatic invertebrates is so great that we don’t think they can be sufficiently mitigated by controls. There are also risks for birds and non-target insects, including bees. 

Ban on three synthetic pyrethroid insecticides after reassessment

The EPA is banning bioresmethrin, cyhalothrin and fenvalerate synthetic insecticides. The ban comes into effect immediately. 

This decision followed a public consultation open from 22 January to 6 March 2026. No submissions were received. 

These pyrethroids are extremely toxic to the aquatic environment and there is no known use in New Zealand.  

Restricting three new Stockholm Convention POPs

We recently called for submissions on proposals to restrict three persistent organic pollutants (chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, and LC-PFCAs), which have been added to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).    

The feedback on the public consultation has been reviewed and a report prepared with our recommendations for the Minister for the Environment. The report, including recommendations, has been published on our website here.

Under the EPA’s 2025 chlorpyrifos reassessment, all use is to be phased out in New Zealand by 8 July 2027. However, the proposed Stockholm Convention restrictions would have come into force earlier, on 16 December 2026.  

Cabinet approval is needed to amend the HSNO Act to implement the restrictions on the chemicals, including any specific exemptions that may apply.  

Plan ahead: Get your applications for HFC permits in

Permits to import new bulk hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) must be issued the year before you intend to import them, so for imports in 2027 you must apply and have your permit issued this year.    

• 1 July 2026 – deadline to apply for special permits to import new bulk HFCs for 2026   
• 1 September 2026 – deadline to apply for ‘grand parented’ permits to existing eligibility holders   

Please note we can’t accept late applications.   

Export permits, exporters' import permits, import permits for recycled HFCs, and exemptions for transshipments can be applied for at any time.  

Update on proposed group standard for treated seed

We have completed our initial assessment of submissions from the July 2024 consultation, including further information requested on five specific topics. Based on feedback received, we are refining our proposals and will engage with our Treated Seed Advisory Group through June and July.   

A second public consultation is planned for September 2026. This will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to comment on the revised proposals.   

Following consultation, we will prepare and publish a submission analysis report. A hearing will then be held, allowing submitters who wish to be heard to present their submission to the Decision-making Committee (DMC). The DMC will consider all information before making a decision, which will be publicly notified within 30 working days of the close of the hearing.   

If a new group standard is issued, it will be published in the New Zealand Gazette. There may be a delayed commencement period before compliance with the group standard is required.  

Calendar of rule changes

You can now find the key dates for upcoming hazardous substances rule changes in one place. Our new calendar lets you know what you have to do, and when.

Dates to note

18 June 2026 Everyone with chlorthal dimethyl containing products must dispose of them by 18 June 2026.

8 July 2026 Everyone with chlorpyrifos products using HSR000224 and HSR000225 approvals must dispose of them by 8 July 2026.

Please note, further dates may be added as they are confirmed.

Recent EPA decisions

Herbicide

APP205068 by Arxada NZ Limited (formerly Lonza NZ Limited) to import or manufacture TNL3979, a herbicide containing 380 g/L acetochlor as a capsule suspension formulation for selective pre-emergence weed control in a variety of crops. Approved with controls 8 May 2026. 

Insecticide

APP205019 by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora to import or manufacture ProLink XR Briquets Mosquito Growth Regulator, an insect growth regulator containing 18 g/kg of the active ingredient (S)-methoprene as briquettes, to control exotic mosquitoes of public health concern in water bodies. Approved with controls 30 April 2026. 

APP204760 by Corteva Agriscience New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Lumiposa, an insecticide containing 625g/L cyantraniliprole in the form of a flowable suspension for use as a seed treatment, to reduce damage to maize seedlings from black beetle and greasy cutworm. Approved with controls 8 May 2026. 

Fungicide

APP204997 by Sipcam New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Organic Pruning Paste containing 100% wood tar as a viscous liquid for providing a natural barrier against fungal and bacterial pathogens on pruning wounds of plants. Approved with controls 6 May 2026. 

Containment

APP205160 by UPL New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture into containment Yukon for the purpose of conducting field trials. Approved with controls 7 May 2026. 

APP205158 by New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science to import or manufacture into containment two substances to be used by Aviation Security, the New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Defence Force for training detector dogs. Approved with controls 11 May 2026. 

Amendments

APP205122 by Kiwi care to amend the name of the substance (HSR101423) approved under APP203976 under section 67A of the HSNO Act. Decided on 18 May 2026. The name of the substance “WWES 319LS” is updated to “Soluble concentrate containing 288 g/L glyphosate and 2.8 g/L saflufenacil". 

See a summary of recent amendments to approvals

Reassessment applications

APP205041 by EPA to reassess Maleic hydrazide-containing substances under section 63D of the HSNO Act. Reassessment approved on 1/04/2026. 

APP205053 by EPA to reassess bioresmethrin, cyhalothrin and fenvalerate. Reassessment revoked all approvals for these substances. Decided on 11 May 2026.