Hazardous Substances
Update

Kia ora

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

There's lots of engagement with industry planned for February - read about it in next month's update.

EPA remains committed to delivering improved outcomes

EPA Chair Barry O'Neil reflects on the progress made by the EPA in his first in the role in an opinion piece in Rural News.    

During this time, the Board and management have focused on connecting with industry, to both understand issues and provide greater visibility of the work we are doing to improve timeframes.  

The EPA, its Board and staff are committed to delivering improved outcomes for New Zealand, and improvements are already becoming visible.  

General Manager Hazardous Substances appointed

On 8 December 2025, Dr Fernando Torres-Vélez was announced as the new General Manager, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms. Dr Torres-Vélez joins the EPA on 9 February 2026.  

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

Importers and manufacturers portal

The Hazardous substances reporting and notifications (HSRN) portal is now available. It is now a requirement to register using this portal within 30 days of your first import or manufacture of any hazardous substances in 2026.    

Those who import or manufacture certain substances will also need to submit an annual report by 31 May 2026.     

Following the success of our webinar in November, we are planning another one for February to help people understand the portal and the process. We will send out invites and details shortly.   

To access the portal, along with some easy-to-follow guides on how to register and use the portal, please visit: www.epa.govt.nz/HSRN-portal-guides.  

Updated rules for cosmetics from 1 January 2026

The updated rules for importing and manufacturing cosmetic products came into effect on 1 January 2026, with other changes to come into effect later.

The requirements apply to cosmetics containing hazardous components. This also marks the last year cosmetics containing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) can be imported into Aotearoa New Zealand.   

The main changes:  

• update to the schedules of prohibited, restricted and allowed ingredients  
• increased scope of the group standard to include non-hazardous cosmetic products that contain a hazardous substance  
• update to the nanomaterial record keeping requirements  
• extension to the phase out of sunscreen using more than 10% of the UV filter homosalate
• phase out of PFAS ingredients.

EPA bans chlorthal-dimethyl weedkiller

In December 2025, we announced a ban on weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (also known as DCPA), a pre-emergence herbicide to control wireweed on some vegetable crops.   

The chemical has been banned due to significant concerns about its effects on foetal development. 

Importing, manufacturing, and using products containing chlorthal-dimethyl is prohibited, effective from 18 December. All products containing chlorthal-dimethyl must be disposed of by 18 June 2026.  

Read the disposal notice, Consolidated Hazardous Substances (Disposal) Notice 2017 | EPA

Prepare for disposal of chlorpyrifos insecticide sprays

All users of chlorpyrifos products are encouraged to get ready to dispose of them.  

Chlorpyrifos is used to control pests in pasture and a number of different agricultural crops and for biosecurity treatment of pests.  

From 8 January 2026 the majority of chlorpyrifos substances may no longer be manufactured or imported. These substances must be disposed of and no longer used by 8 July 2026. From these dates only the granular substance (HSR000163, sold as suSCon Green) and the active ingredient used for its manufacture may be imported, sold, and used respectively.  

New labelling requirements on weedkiller clopyralid set to start

Clopyralid is used to control weeds in sports turf, lawns, and on farms. If plants sprayed with the substance get into compost, the compost can harm some garden plants. 

The EPA urges people selling and using clopyralid weedkillers to follow the rules, including any restrictions on use, and the disposal of sprayed weeds and lawn clippings. 

From 11 February 2026:  

• Importers and manufacturers of Donaghys Clopyralid 300 must have updated the label with the statement to tell people how to avoid compost contamination. Ensure the product label, packaging and safety data sheet are correct and reflect New Zealand legislative and approval controls. 
• Suppliers of products using the Donaghys Clopyralid 300 approval must only sell products with the updated label. 

 From 12 March 2026:  

• Importers and manufacturers of all other clopyralid products must have updated their labels.   
• Suppliers of all other clopyralid products must only sell products with the updated label. 

EPA seeks feedback on some synthetic pyrethroid insecticides

We are currently reassessing synthetic pyrethroid insecticides bioresmethrin, cyhalothrin, fenvalerate and products containing these substances.   

The EPA is calling for submissions on the proposal to revoke the use of these substances during a public consultation from 22 January to 6 March 2026.  

We are proposing a ban given the substances are extremely toxic to the aquatic environment. There is no evidence that substances containing these active ingredients are currently in use in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

The related insecticides lambda-cyhalothrin and esfenvalerate are still in use in New Zealand and are not included in this reassessment. They will be reviewed in a later synthetic pyrethroid group reassessment. 

1080 annual report

The EPA reports annually on the aerial use of 1080, including how operations were run and monitored, any incidents, and the outcomes.  

The report is based on the operational reports submitted to the EPA within six months of the operation. The 2024 annual report showed the area treated and number of aerial 1080 operations in 2024 was the largest since reporting began in 2008.  

The increase in activity in 2024 can be attributed to a mast year in 2023. This is a natural event where native trees produce an unusually large crop of seeds.

New bird risk calculator available

We’ve updated our bird risk assessment resources to incorporate the latest methods and information from the European Food Safety Authority.  

Now available on our website, the bird risk calculator tool can assist businesses applying to import or manufacture new hazardous substances that are applied by spraying, allowing them to: 

• identify the type of information we look at to assess risks to birds  
• assess risks to birds by doing their own (optional) assessment – this would be in addition to the assessment we will complete  
• understand potential controls to manage any identified risks  
• understand the options for providing data specific to their substance that could be used in place of default data. 

This new tool is part of our wider project to update the resources our technical team use when assessing higher-risk substances. It’s one of the many improvements we’re working on to ensure Kiwi businesses have access to the products they need while ensuring our people and unique environment remain protected. 

Update to the Reassessments Work Plan

The EPA updated its Reassessments Work Plan (RWP) in December 2025. The RWP shows which substances we are going to reassess with an indicative start date.  

Substances on the RWP are from the Priority Chemicals List. 

Reassessments work plan | EPA 

Adding to the reassessments work plan | EPA 

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.

Dates to note

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.

11 February 2026 - Importers and manufacturers of products using the Donaghys Clopyralid 300 approval must ensure that the label has the updated label statements by 11 February 2026. 

Suppliers of products using the Donaghys Clopyralid 300 approval must only sell products with the updated label from 11 February 2026. 

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

Recent EPA decisions

Anti-fouling paint

APP204581 by Chugoku Paints B.V. to import or manufacture SEAJET 039 PLATINUM 2COMPONENTS Component A, an anti-fouling paint containing 55 g/L zinc pyrithione intended for use in a two-part system. Approved with controls 1 December 2025. 

APP204582 by Chugoku Paints B.V. to import or manufacture SEAJET 039 PLATINUM 2COMPONENTS Component B, an anti-fouling paint containing 95-100% cuprous oxide intended for use in a two-part system. Approved with controls 1 December 2025. 

Herbicide

APP204136 by Adama New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Tower, an agricultural pre-emergence herbicide for wheat and barley crops containing 250 g/L chlorotoluron, 300 g/L pendimethalin, and 40 g/L diflufenican. Approved with controls 1 December 2025. 

APP204656 by Kiwicare Corporation Limited to import or manufacture RTU LTNG468, a ready to use home garden weedkiller containing 0.5 g/L imazapyr as the ammonium salt and 0.07 g/L saflufenacil. Approved with controls 23 December 2025. 

APP204728 by Kiwicare Corporation Limited to import or manufacture LTNGC472, a herbicide for use by professionals on non-productive land containing 12.5 g/L imazapyr as the ammonium salt and 565 g/L fatty acid ammonium salts. Approved with controls 23 December 2025. 

Insecticide

APP204889 by Callington Haven Pty Limited to import or manufacture Screen2P Wear (Perfume and Non-Perfume), a ready-to-use liquid insecticide containing 40 g/L permethrin for use on clothing. Approved with controls 23 December 2025. 

APP205061 by RB (Hygiene Home) New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Black Flag Rapid Kill Blowfly Strength Fly & Insect Killer, a home use aerosol spray insecticide containing 0.5 g/kg transfluthrin and 0.5 g/kg permethrin. Approved with controls 23 December 2025. 

APP205062 by RB (Hygiene Home) New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Mortein Powergard All In One Insect Killer Aerosol, a home use aerosol spray insecticide containing 0.5 g/kg transfluthrin, 0.5 g/kg permethrin and 0.2 g/kg imiprothrin. Approved with controls 23 December 2025. 

Timber treatment

APP204992 by Arch Wood Protection (New Zealand) Limited to import or manufacture J57.85, a timber treatment containing didecyl dimethyl ammonium carbonate/bicarbonate. Approved with controls 5 December 2025. 

Determination

APP204404 by BASF New Zealand Limited to obtain a determination for Goliath Cockroach Gel, a ready-to-use gel bait insecticide containing 0.5 g/kg fipronil. Determination made 15 December 2025. 

APP204682 by Thermo Fisher Scientific to obtain a determination for Formalin 10% buffered neutral, a laboratory chemical containing 4.65 % formaldehyde. Determination made 1 December 2025. 

APP204779 by DSPA B.V. to obtain a determination for DSPA – Dry Powder Sprinkler Aerosol, a solid pellet fire suppressant that is aerosolised upon activation. Determination made 3 December 2025. 

Containment

APP205073 by UPL New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture into containment Avex, a bird repellent, to evaluate the efficacy, residue profile, compatibility, and crop safety of the substance. Approved with controls 18 December 2025. 

APP205088 by Bayer New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture into containment 49 substances for field trials in order to evaluate the efficacy and residue profiles of the substances. Approved with controls 17 December 2025. 

APP205097 by Tissue Repair Technology to import or manufacture TRT001 2025 to be used in the formulation of a non-hazardous finished product in containment. Approved with controls 15 December 2025 

APP205100 by Corteva Agriscience New Zealand Limited to import substances for the use in field, glasshouse and laboratory research trials in containment. Approved with controls 18 December 2025. 

APP205105 by Renovo Technologies Limited to import or manufacture into containment four substances for small-scale field trials in order to evaluate the efficacy or residue profiles of the substances. Approved with controls 17 December 2025. 

APP205107 by Zero Invasive Predators Limited to manufacture rodent carcass baits containing the vertebrate toxic agent sodium fluoroacetate (1080) and conduct field trials in containment, targeting stoats south of the Predator Free South Westland (PFSW) boundary. Approved with controls 22 December 2025. 

APP205115 by New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science Limited to import or manufacture into containment three methane inhibitor substances for small-scale field trials in order to evaluate the long-term efficacy of the substances. Approved with controls 22 January 2026. 

APP205116 by Adama New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture in containment one substance for small scale field trials and laboratory testing to develop efficacy, residue and crop safety profiles of the substance under New Zealand conditions. Approved with controls 15 January 2026. 

APP205120 by Industrial Quimica Key S.A. to import or manufacture in containment one substance for small-scale field trials studies in order to evaluate the efficacy, crop safety and residue profiles of the substance. Approved with controls 23 December 2025. 

Reassessment applications

APP204896 by the Environmental Protection Authority to reassess chlorthal-dimethyl. Reassessment approved, leading to the approval HSR000646 being revoked. Decided 15/12/2025.  

See a summary of recent amendments to approvals