Hazardous Substances
Update

Kia ora

Welcome to the Environmental Protection Authority’s wrap of news, decisions, and consultations involving hazardous substances for November.

This will be our final update for 2025, but we will be back in early February 2026 with news and events from December and January.

New quarterly report on hazardous substances

We have launched the first in a new series of quarterly reports about hazardous substances. 

The reports will track how we are progressing against the measures set in our 2025/26 Statement of Performance Expectations. These will help improve clarity and transparency around timeframes and processes.

During the first quarter of the 2025-26 year, we had the lowest number of applications in the queue since early 2022.

We acknowledge that improvements are still required in the application queue for substances containing new chemical active ingredients, and this remains a priority area for us.

New weedkiller for wheat and barley crops

We have approved a new herbicide, Tower, to control certain broadleaf and grass weeds in wheat and barley crops. 

Tower contains a chemical new to New Zealand, chlorotoluron. Tower also contains two other active ingredients already assessed and available for use in New Zealand – pendimethalin and diflufenican. 

Tower can only be used by professionals in commercial settings using ground-based application. It can be applied after sowing and before wheat and barley plants emerge. 

Glyphosate ruling appealed

The High Court on 17 October ruled that the EPA was justified in finding that there were no grounds for the EPA to reassess the herbicide glyphosate.  

The Court found no errors of law in the EPA’s decision and that the EPA was justified in assessing the material provided by the Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) for reliability.  

In November, ELI lodged an appeal against the High Court decision. We will further update when the appeal is heard, which is likely to be towards the end of 2026. 

What this means for businesses and glyphosate-users? 

There is no immediate impact on anyone using glyphosate-based products. Existing regulatory settings remain unchanged, allowing businesses to plan and operate with confidence. 

Engagement with industry

In October, EPA kaimahi had two great opportunities to come together with industry, to increase their real-world knowledge of how hazardous substances are used, and help inform setting fit-for-purpose controls.

They met with New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) and spoke with the operators of aircraft and drivers of vehicles used for applying agrichemicals about their knowledge and experience, technology advances, and the techniques used to safeguard the environment when applying agrichemicals.

They also met with New Zealand Apples and Pears in Hawke’s Bay to improve their understanding of orchard operations and the growing process. They saw the spraying equipment in action and gained insights into some of the challenges facing this important sector.

Connecting with A Lighter Touch

In November, two of our hazardous substances leaders Dr Lauren Fleury, Acting General Manager Hazardous Substances and New Organisms, and Dr Shaun Presow, Manager Hazardous Substances Reassessments, joined colleagues from the Ministry for Primary Industries for a visit with A Lighter Touch in Canterbury. 

This innovative collaboration brings together the horticulture, arable, and wine sectors to help growers adopt softer, more sustainable crop protection practices. During the visit, the team met growers driving these changes, explored new tools and technologies in action, and heard insights from industry groups including the Foundation for Arable Research, Tomatoes NZ, and Process Vegetables NZ.

We want to thank A Lighter Touch for the opportunity to hear more about their initiatives and see some of their projects in action.

Carbon black no longer considered a hazardous substance

Carbon black is a fine black powder made of elemental carbon. It is used as a pigment in a variety of products including paint, ink, coatings, and plastic.

It was previously classified as a possible carcinogen to humans and an eye irritant, but our review found that neither classification is warranted. This change aligns New Zealand with other overseas regulators.

Chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA) weedkiller

The decision-making committee is considering the proposal to revoke the approval for the herbicide chlorthal-dimethyl. This follows earlier restrictions introduced by the EPA in 2024 due to serious concerns about its potential impact on foetal development.

The decision will be published late December 2025.

New cosmetic rules

From 1 January 2026, new requirements apply to cosmetics containing hazardous components. This also marks the last year cosmetics containing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) can be imported to New Zealand. PFAS are sometimes found in products like nail polish and mascara and persist in the environment.

Aquatic herbicides consultation

We’re reassessing certain aquatic herbicides used to control pest plants in estuaries, wetlands, ponds, lakes, and rivers. This action follows the emergence of significant new information and inconsistencies in controls applied to approvals.

Grounds to reassess cover substances containing the following active ingredients:

• diquat dibromide
• metsulfuron-methyl
• haloxyfop-R-methyl
• imazapyr isopropylamine
• triclopyr triethylamine
• endothall dipotassium.

Public consultation is scheduled for early 2026.

Watch the webinar: new hazardous substances requirements

You can now view a recording of our webinar held on 26 November to learn more about what’s required under the Consolidated Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Notice 2015 and the online portal.

Summer holiday import deadline

Time is running out if you are intending to import explosives, hazardous or ‘other’ wastes, or ozone-depleting substances over the summer holiday period.

Make sure you have submitted a complete application by 8 December 2025.

EPA holiday season dates

The EPA will close at 5.00pm on Wednesday, 24 December 2025 and re-open at 8.30am on Monday, 5 January 2026.

Our contact centre will close at 12.00pm on Wednesday 24 December to allow for end-of-year administration.

New 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.

New organisms

As the agency responsible for regulating activities that affect New Zealand's environment, we also regulate new organisms. Visit the link below to see our recent news in this area.

Dates to note

1 January 2026 – Some Cosmetic Products Group Standard changes come into effect.

1 January 2026 – Importers and manufacturers must provide additional business details, including their NZBN (if they have one) and the HSNO approval or group standard for their products.

1 January to 31 May 2026 – First annual reports are due for certain hazardous substances imported and manufactured, and certain explosives manufactured in 2025.

8 January 2026 – Disposal deadlines for certain products containing chlorpyrifos start.

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

Recent EPA decisions

Herbicide

APP205028 by Kiwicare Holdings Ltd (formerly Kiwicare Corporation Limited) to import or manufacture FANP 411 (2025 formulation), an herbicide containing total of 642.91g/L octanoic acid, potassium salt and decanoic acid as an emulsifiable concentrate to control annual and perennial weeds. Approved with controls 7 November 2025.

Insecticide

APP205038 by Renovo Technologies Ltd to import or manufacture RF-102, containing 40 g/L bifenthrin as a suspension concentrate, for the control of various insects in and around buildings. Approved with controls 29 October 2025.

Fungicide  

APP204692 by Syngenta Crop Protection Limited to import ORONDIS Flexi, a fungicide in the form of a suspension concentrate containing the active ingredients azoxystrobin at 155 g/L and oxathiapiprolin at 15 g/L for use by professionals to control downy mildew on onion crops. Approved with controls 11 November 2025.

APP204953 by Adria New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Parabellum, a fungicide containing 20 g/L fluopyram, 100 g/L prothioconazole and 60 g/L tebuconazole as a flowable concentrate seed treatment, for the control of various seed and soil borne diseases in grain seeds. Approved with controls 13 November 2025.

Fuel

APP205000 by WPC LIMITED to manufacture Mixed Hydrocarbon, an alternative heating fuel containing a mix of kerosene, diesel and petrol, for the purpose of exporting to a destination outside New Zealand. Approved with controls 7 November 2025.

Containment

APP205058 by Koppers Performance Chemicals New Zealand Ltd to manufacture Protim PTI preservative concentrate, a timber treatment chemical containing active ingredients imidacloprid, tebuconazole and propiconazole in containment for export to a destination outside New Zealand. Approved with controls 28 October 2025.

APP205072 by Toyota New Zealand Limited to import Eco100RS24+, a fossil-free racing fuel for the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy. Approved with controls 12 November 2025.

APP205075 by Biosecurity New Zealand – MPI to import or manufacture in containment Clipper Herbicide, an aquatic herbicide containing flumioxazin at 100 g/kg, to eradicate the invasive exotic aquatic weed, Cabomba caroliniana (Cabomba, fanwort) from the Paremuka ponds in the in the Auckland region. Approved with controls 30 October 2025.

APP205078 by Syngenta Crop Protection Limited to import or manufacture into containment three substances for field trials in order to evaluate the efficacy and crop safety of the substances under New Zealand conditions. Approved with controls 21 November 2025.

APP205092 by Animal Control Products Limited to import or manufacture DR8 Rat Pellets in containment to undertake cage trials on rats. Approved with controls 17 November 2025.

Determination

APP204762 by EcoSol to obtain a determination for Lake Guard Dew, a coagulant for water treatment containing 960 g/kg aluminium sulphate. Determination made 3 November 2025.

APP204930 by DTS Regulatory Consultants (De Groot Technical Services Ltd) to obtain a determination for 1-MCP Composite Coating, a post-harvest treatment of fruits containing 16.5 g/kg 1-methylcyclopropene. Determination made 30 October 2025.

Amendments to approvals and group standards

Amendment APP204972 by Environmental Protection Authority to amend the Cosmetic Products Group Standard amendment 2024 (HSR002552 approved under APP204297) under section 96B of the HSNO Act. Decided on 8 July 2025, corrected by addendum on 29 October 2025.

Grounds requests 

APP205030 by Environmental Protection Authority to determine if there are grounds to reassess Acetochlor. Decided grounds exist for reassessment on 15 October 2025.

Reassessment 

No reassessments decided in November.

See a summary of recent amendments to approvals