Hazardous Substances
Update

Kia ora

Welcome to this month’s newsletter for updates from March. In this edition we have updates on:  

• New EPA CE appointed 

• Hazardous substances quarterly report: positive trend for hazardous substance decisions 

• New fungicide for potatoes approved 

• New herbicide to control weeds in fodder beet 

• Reporting deadline approaches for importers and manufacturers 

• Have your say on three internationally restricted POP substances 

• Next steps for group standard for treated seed 

• Rules for making or importing cosmetics – beginner's guide 

• Connecting at industry events 

• Key dates for what you need to know and do 

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Lian Butcher appointed as next EPA Chief Executive

Lian Butcher has been appointed as the next Chief Executive of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), effective 1 July 2026. 

Ms Butcher joins the EPA from Greater Wellington Regional Council, where she has been Group Manager of the Environment Group, her second tenure with Greater Wellington.

Positive trend for hazardous substances decisions continues

We’ve maintained the upward trend for hazardous substances decisions in the second quarter of the 2025-26 year. 

The latest hazardous substances quarterly report shows the queue of applications fell to 84, down 12.5 percent from 96 on 1 July 2025.  This is the lowest number of applications in the queue since early 2022.  

In the second quarter, we approved two higher-complexity applications – one for an agricultural herbicide containing a new active ingredient and one for a non-agricultural insecticide.  Improvements are still required in the application queue for substances containing new chemical active ingredients, and this remains a priority area for us. 

A total of 37 hazardous substances applications have been approved in the first half of the 2025-26 year.  

Our hazardous substances quarterly reports are providing a clearer picture of trends and our performance. 

Find out more: EPA continues positive trend for hazardous substances decisions | EPA

Read the report: 2025-Q2-EPA-Hazardous-Substances-Performance.pdf

New fungicide for potatoes approved

The EPA has approved a new fungicide seed treatment to control disease on potatoes.  

Syngenta Crop Protection Limited applied to introduce Vibrance Premium, which contains the active ingredients sedaxane and fludioxonil. 

Sedaxane is a new active ingredient to Aotearoa New Zealand.  

The decision to approve Vibrance Premium was made by EPA Chief Executive Dr Allan Freeth. 

Dr Lauren Fleury, Manager Hazardous Substances Applications, says “We’re open to taking a proportionate approach to decision making, and we are willing to do things differently.  

“We have exercised our discretion to not publicly notify this application, expediting the decision-making process to assist farmers and growers to get access to a novel chemical that will benefit the New Zealand economy. 

“Under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act we have discretion to publicly notify or not, hazardous substances applications and that discretion is based on a significant public interest test. 

“After completing our assessment of the risks associated with Vibrance Premium, we considered that public interest was not likely to be significant and that public consultation was unlikely to elicit information material to the consideration of the application. The risks are low as the substance is only to be applied to seed potatoes in a facility and then sown in the ground.” 

Vibrance Premium can only be used by professional operators in commercial settings. 

Photo credit: Beef + Lamb New Zealand

New herbicide to control weeds in fodder beet

We have approved Trifix Herbicide, a new weedkiller to control broadleaved weeds in fodder beet crops. 

Trifix Herbicide contains triflusulfuron methyl, a chemical new to Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Trifix Herbicide can only be used by professionals in commercial settings, and users need to comply with specific controls. 

Reporting deadline approaches for importers and manufacturers

Under new requirements, importers and manufacturers of certain hazardous substances need to file an annual report for the 2025 calendar year by 31 May 2026. 

While all importers and manufacturers of hazardous substances need to provide their approval numbers for substances they import/manufacture, not everyone needs to submit an annual report, just those importing or manufacturing certain substances.  

For more information about the new requirements, including which types of substances require annual reports please visit: Consolidated Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Notice 2015 | EPA

To make it easier to meet the new requirements, we have a new online portal: Hazardous substances reporting and notifications portal | EPA

If you need help submitting an annual report, guides are available. This includes a new guide on how to calculate the active ingredient content in a product: Hazardous substances reporting and notifications portal | EPA

Photo credit: ©BRS Conventions Secretariat

Have your say on three internationally restricted POPs

We are calling for submissions on plans to put in place restrictions on three persistent organic pollutants (chlorpyrifos, MCCPs, and LC-PFCAs), recently added to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).  

Aotearoa New Zealand has signed this international environmental agreement, so must stop or limit producing, using, importing, and exporting POPs listed under the Stockholm Convention. The restrictions will take effect on 16 December 2026. 

The public consultation runs from 17 March - 17 April 2026. 

Chlorpyrifos was reassessed in New Zealand in 2025. Approvals for import and manufacture of chlorpyrifos have been revoked except for two remaining approvals (HSR0002942 and HSR000163), for use against grass grub, which do not expire until 8 January 2027. Use of those substances can currently occur until 8 July 2027. However, the proposed Stockholm Convention restrictions would come into force earlier, on 16 December 2026.

Next steps for group standard for treated seed

Last year we sought your feedback on a proposed new group standard for treated seed and on proposed new reporting requirements for treated seed importers. 

Because of issues raised in the submissions, we plan to run a further consultation in mid-2026 for about four weeks. 

Rules for making or importing cosmetics – beginner's guide

This new guidance is for anyone who's still getting to grips with the hazardous substances rules for cosmetics, whether you're doing it for fun or for sale. 

Topics include: 

• keeping safe when making cosmetics 
• how to find out if your ingredients are hazardous or regulated 
• the rules you must follow if you're making cosmetics to sell 
• the new rules that came in on 1 January this year 
• how to get further help. 

Connecting at industry events

In March, our people got to meet with and build relationships with industry leaders and others at several conferences. These events increase our understanding of hazardous substances use in important industry sectors. 

Our Chief Executive and Board Chair attended the Heads of EPA Australia and New Zealand (HEPA) meeting in Canberra.  
 
HEPA is a cross-Tasman partnership of EPAs in Australia and New Zealand with a purpose of striving for better environmental outcomes for both countries through collaboration.  

The meeting was a valuable opportunity to connect with our Australian colleagues on shared mahi and further strengthen the partnership. 

Two EPA kaimahi, attended the XVII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds in Rotorua.  

It was useful for learning about the latest research, emerging technologies, and practical applications in biological control: a way of managing pests, such as weeds and insects, sustainably, and cost-effectively.  

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

31 May 2026 - Importers and manufacturers of boscalid-containing substances Bosson, Essence, and Unistar must update their labels and Safety Data Sheets to remove the carcinogenicity hazard classification statements by 31 May 2026. 

31 May 2026 - Importers and manufacturers of agrichemicals, timber treatments, antisapstain chemicals, antifouling paints and livestock parasiticides must file by 31 May 2026 an annual report on quantities they imported and manufactured in 2025. 

31 May 2026 - Manufacturers of explosives must file by 31 May 2026 an annual report on quantities of explosives they manufactured in 2025. 

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

Recent EPA decisions

Herbicide

APP204203 by FMC New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Trifix Herbicide, a herbicide containing 500 g/kg triflusulfuron methyl in the form of a water-dispersible granule, for the control of broadleaved weeds in fodder beets. Approved with controls 16 February 2026. 

APP205009 by Evergreen Garden Care New Zealand Ltd to import or manufacture Roundup TNG Weedkiller, a herbicide containing 1.43 g/L triclopyr butotyl and 1.27 g/L fluazifop-P-butyl as a ready-to-use formulation for spot treatment of weeds in home gardens by non-professionals. Approved with controls 12 March 2026. 

Insecticide

APP205118 by RB (Hygiene Home) New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Mortein Fast Knockdown Multi Purpose Insect Killer, an aerosol insecticide, containing 0.3 g/kg of imiprothrin, 0.5 g/kg of transfluthrin and 0.7 g/kg of permethrin for the control of flying and crawling insects. Approved with controls 4 March 2026. 

APP204734 by Arxada NZ Limited (formerly Lonza NZ Limited) to import or manufacture TNL3989, an insecticide containing 200 g/L pymetrozine and 20 g/L chlorantraniliprole in the form of a suspension concentrate for control of a range of insect species on various crops. Approved with controls 16 March 2026. 

APP205098 by RB (Hygiene Home) New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Mortein Fast Knockdown Flying Insect Killer, containing 0.5 g/kg transfluthrin and 0.7 g/kg permethrin, for the control of flying and crawling insects. Approved with controls 23 March 2026. 

APP204856 by Oro Agri, Inc. to import or manufacture PREV-AM Insecticide, Miticide and Fungicide (PREV-AM), a biopesticide containing 60 g/L cold pressed orange oil as the active ingredient. Approved with controls 25 March 2026. 

Fungicide

APP204260 by Syngenta Crop Protection Limited to import or manufacture Vibrance Premium, a fungicide containing 50 g/L fludioxonil and 40 g/L sedaxane in the form of a suspension concentrate seed treatment, for the control of a range of fungal diseases in potatoes. Approved with controls on 1 April 2026. 

Containments

APP205124 by Department of Conservation to import or manufacture in containment PAPP Stoat Bait – Field Trials without pre-feeding, containing 4 g/kg of the active ingredient 4’-aminopropiophenone for field trials to determine the substance’s effectiveness without pre-feeding. Approved with controls 2 March 2026. 

APP205128 by Invasive Pest Control Limited to import and manufacture norbormide paste bait, containing 1% norbormide, for cage and field trials on Norway and ship rats. Approved with controls 12 March 2026. 

APP205132 by Environmental Decontamination (NZ) Limited to import and use matrices and products contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for research and development purposes. Approved with controls 12 March 2026. 

Reassessment applications

APP205052 by ADRIA NEW ZEALAND LIMITED to reassess the maximum application rate approved for Fluro. Reassessment approved 25 February 2026

Amendments

APP205149 by the Environmental Protection Authority to amend an error in the hazard classifications for AGPRO Fairway (HSR100775) approved under APP201471, and to amend an erroneous statement in the additional labelling requirements of GF-2551 (HSR100844) approved under APP201746 under section 67A of the HSNO Act. Decided on 13 March 2026. 

APP205145 by Corteva to amend the labelling requirements for clopyralid-containing substances approved under section 67A of the HSNO Act on the basis that it is minor in effect. Decided on 9 March 2026. 

APP205110 by PJ Staples Limited to amend Paper laminate containing 6.5 to 10 g oxalic acid (HSR101542 approved under APP204348) under section 67A of the HSNO Act. The substance name was changed to "Paper laminate containing 110 g/kg to 286 g/kg oxalic acid dihydrate", extending the lower range of allowable oxalic acid dihydrate concentration and changing the unit and wording in the substance name for improved clarity. Decided on 2 February 2026. 

See a summary of recent amendments to approvals