Anyone can apply for a reassessment of - or request an amendment to - the existing approval for a hazardous substance. We explain the process here.
A reassessment is a review of a hazardous substance that is already approved for use in New Zealand.
Amendments correct a minor or technical error in the existing approval of a substance, or involve minor changes to the approval.
There are set steps to follow for applying for reassessments or amendments.
A reassessment is a review of a hazardous substance that is already approved for use in New Zealand. This review could result in a decision to change the rules (‘controls’) for using the substance, or whether the substance should continue to be approved for use, or not.
There are two stages to complete to apply for the reassessment of the approval for a hazardous substance:
Step one: you must first make a formal application to show there are legal grounds to reassess the substance (grounds for reassessment). Your application will be decided by a sub-group of our HSNO committee.
Step two: you can apply for a reassessment if our committee decides that there are grounds for reassessment.
Read more about the members of our HSNO Committee
For more about the steps for processing an application
Grounds could be established if you can demonstrate one or more of the following criteria:
To apply, complete the grounds for reassessment application form. Make sure you demonstrate at least one of the criteria for grounds for reassessment and include relevant supporting information.
Any confidential or commercially-sensitive information should be included in an appendix and referenced from the application form (see ‘Supplying confidential information’ below). Send your application materials to: Reassessments@epa.govt.nz
Download the grounds for reassessment application form (docx 355KB)
Once we have received your application, we will send you an acknowledgement by email with your assigned application number. We will tell you which of our advisers is assigned to your application. We will also issue an invoice. If we need more information, we will be in touch by phone or email. We will let you know our decision by email.
If a grounds for reassessment is established for the substance, you may apply for a reassessment. There are two types of reassessment, ‘modified’ and ‘full’. A modified reassessment can only assess a specific aspect of the approval.
To apply, complete the reassessment application form. This can only be completed once grounds are established. Any confidential or commercially-sensitive information should be included in an appendix and referenced from the application form (see ‘Supplying confidential information’ below). Send your application materials to: Reassessments@epa.govt.nz.
Download the reassessment application form (docx 113KB)
Once we have received your application, we will send you an acknowledgement by email with your assigned application number. We will then decide whether your application will proceed as a modified or full reassessment, and issue an invoice for the appropriate fee.
We may notify certain parties when we receive a reassessment application. These people will be given the opportunity to make a submission about the application. The general public will be notified when we receive an application for a full reassessment.
For modified reassessments, we will decide whether public notification is needed, or not. If a modified reassessment is not publicly notified, we will consult with people who may be affected by the reassessment.
Amendments correct a minor or technical error in the existing approval of a substance, or involve minor changes to the approval.
If you want to apply for an amendment to a Group Standard, see our separate guidance
To apply for a more extensive change, then you must apply for grounds for reassessment. Check our examples below to see if you should be applying for an amendment.
An error is minor if it would not result in a different decision about the substance or affect the way the risk assessment was approached.
Examples of amendments to correct minor and technical errors include:
correcting typographical or drafting errors
adjusting existing controls to make them more practical, workable or enforceable
removing inconsistencies between the decision and the controls
correcting information that was inadvertently overlooked or misinterpreted at the time the decision was made – providing it does not lead to a change in the way the controls are applied.
"Minor in effect" means the amendment to the approval wouldn’t create any changes to the risk of using the chemical after applying the controls (the residual risk). This type of amendment would also not change the financial costs of complying with the approval.
Examples of amendments that are minor in effect include:
minor changes to controls that are considered reasonably insignificant or unnoticeable
changes to controls in response to new technology or new information becoming available
changes to approvals to provide consistency with other approvals.
To apply, complete the Amendment Request form and send it to us at: HSApplications@epa.govt.nz.
Any confidential or commercially-sensitive information should be included in an appendix and referenced from the application form (see ‘Supplying confidential information’ below).
Minor amendment application form (docx 356KB)
Once we have received your application, we will send you an acknowledgement by email with your assigned application number. We will tell you which of our advisers is assigned to your application. We will also issue an invoice. If we need more information, we will be in touch by phone or email. We will let you know our decision by email.
Any confidential information supplied with your grounds for reassessment application, or reassessment application, or amendment request should be clearly identified. You can include this information in our confidential appendix.
Confidential appendix for hazardous substances applications (docx 368 KB)
Read our guide on supplying confidential information to the EPA. This guide sets out your rights and our obligations for this type of information.
Supplying confidential information to the EPA: your rights and our obligations (pdf 403 KB)
If you plan to make an application, make sure you have spoken to all the right people and consider how your plans might impact Māori every step of the way. Our video can help you get started.
Understanding Māori rights and interests in the application process - Youtube
We have more information about engaging with Māori on our website, and you can ask for help from Kaupapa Kura Taiao – our Māori Policy and Operations Group.
See our web pages: Engaging with Māori