New rules for hazardous substances from 1 January 2025

If you import or manufacture certain hazardous substances, there are new reporting requirements from the [Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)]) - click here to view these.

The affected substances include:

• Agrichemicals.
• Timber treatment chemicals.
• Anti-sapstain chemicals.
• Antifouling paints.
• Parasiticides used as veterinary medicines in large animals.

From 1 January 2025, you need to keep records of which hazardous substances you’re importing or manufacturing, before submitting your annual report in 2026. There are more details on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website.

Additional new rules for hazardous chemicals from 2026.

Further changes around record-keeping for hazardous chemicals will come into effect on 1 January 2026. You can find more details in this note from the EPA.

All importers and manufacturers must provide:

• A New Zealand Business Number (if you have one).
• The HSNO or group standard approval number for all hazardous substances you’re importing and/or manufacturing.

Importers and manufacturers of certain hazardous substances will also be required to provide:

• An annual report on the total quantity (kgs) of active ingredients imported or manufactured in the previous calendar year.
• Manufacturers of explosives must provide the same information that’s already required from importers of explosives.

Get your hazardous substances reporting under control

If you’ve not updated your record-keeping and reporting around hazardous substances yet, it’s important to take action as soon as possible.

Talk to the team about reviewing your usage of the affected chemicals and substances and how we can help you get your reporting up to speed with the new rules.