The chemicals being reassessed
The following chemicals are being reassessed. Find out which chemicals, and how to be involved by making a submission or attending a hearing.
Active reassessments
Applications for reassessment are formally received, publicly notified, and open for public consultation.
After submissions have closed, we review submissions and provide a report to a decision-making committee.
They evaluate information provided to them, including public submissions, and information gathered from us and interested parties.
We may hold a public hearing for the decision-making committee to hear from submitters, the applicant and the EPA. If no submitters want to attend the hearing, the decision-making committee will start the decision-making process.
A decision-making committee makes a final decision on whether to:
- revoke the approval
- make no change to the approval
- change the rules around the chemical’s use.
Methyl bromide
Methyl bromide is a fumigant for treating logs, produce, flowers and other goods during quarantine and pre-shipment from New Zealand. It is also used to treat potato wart, a fungal disease.
This is a modified reassessment. The approval cannot be revoked but the rules around how it can be used can be changed.
The Decision-making Committee is considering its decision.
Read more about the submissions, public hearings and background to this reassessment
Chemical review 2020
We are reassessing 18 chemicals that need their hazard classifications changed. The following substances will be reassessed: 1,3-dichloropropene, chlorpropham, flumetsulam, flumioxazin, MCPA (in different forms), metamitron, monensin (in different forms), narasin, pymetrozine, tea tree oil, thiodicarb and trinexapac-ethyl.
We take into account new information such as study data, and reviews or assessments by overseas chemical regulators. Any changes to hazard classifications may also have an effect on the rules that apply to the chemicals.
Submissions close at 5 pm, 26 February 2021.
Read the chemical review 2020 application documents
Read the grounds for reassessment decision document (PDF, 298KB)
Reassessment applications are being prepared
We are gathering information to assess the risks, costs and benefits of these chemicals before it is sent to the Decision-making Committee.
We may request for information from interested parties, and go out for public consultation.
We review the information, make a risk and benefits analysis, and propose any changes to current rules on its use, and the approvals.
Neonicotinoids
Neonicotinoids are insecticides used for seed treatment, soil and seedling drenches or sprays. They are also used in veterinary medicines to treat lice and ticks, timber treatments and wood preservatives, and pest control products such as ant baits and fly sprays.
Five neonicotinoids are being reassessed: clothianidin, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and acetamiprid.
We requested information from industry and the public and are currently reviewing the submissions.
Once we have reviewed this information we will go out for public consultation.
Read more about the call for information and submissions we received
Hydrogen cyanamide
Hydrogen cyanamide is used mainly in kiwifruit and apple orchards, and is sprayed onto crops to promote bud growth. It is for commercial use only.
We requested information from the public and are currently reviewing the submissions.
Once we have reviewed this information we will go out for public consultation
Synthetic pyrethroids
Synthetic pyrethroids are insecticides that are used in of-the-shelf products like fly spray, and in farming and commercial products, for example, crop protection, timber treatment, and veterinary medicines.
We are reassessing 11 synthetic pyrethroids. We requested information from industry and the public and are reviewing the 520 submissions we received.
Once we have reviewed this information we will go out for public consultation.
Actara
Actara is a neonicotinoid insecticide that contains the active ingredient thiamethoxam. It is used to control insects on kiwifruit, pip fruit, and potatoes.
In February 2019 the Ministry for Primary Industries applied for grounds to reassess Actara. The application included changing current rules to help control the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys), a biosecurity threat in New Zealand.
Agrocelhone FE-HFP
Agrocelhone FE-HFP (AFE-HFP) is a soil fumigant used to protect crops such as strawberries and other fruits and vegetables, nut crops and nursery crops.
In May 2019 Agroquimicos de Levante SA applied for grounds to reassess AFE-HFP. The reassessment is to review restrictions on the application method to include using drip irrigation in fields and glasshouses. The applicant had provided new and significant information, in particular, the potential economic benefits associated with its use in glasshouses.
Chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl
Chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl are insecticides used in crops, as a veterinary medicine and for timber treatment.
On 19 June 2020 we, the EPA, applied for grounds to reassess substances that contain chlorpyrifos and the related compound chlorpyrifos-methyl. There is significant new information available on the effects of these substances.
Copper powder and copper compounds
Copper is used in agriculture as a fungicide or bactericide for organic fruit and vegetables. Other products that contain copper are animal nutritional supplements, veterinary medicines, anti-fouling paints, fertilisers, timber treatments and wood preservatives.
In November 2018, the International Copper Association applied for grounds to reassess copper powder and copper compounds, with a view to revising the hazard classifications of the chemicals.
Diazinon, fenamiphos and methamidophos
Diazinon, fenamiphos and methamidophos are organophosphates used for plant protection.
In February 2020 Vegetable Research and Innovation (VR&I) Board applied for grounds to reassess substances containing diazinon, fenamiphos and methamidophos. The applicant had provided new and significant information, in particular, that there is no viable alternative to the organophosphates diazinon, fenamiphos and methamidophos.
In July 2013 these substances were reassessed. There was a phase-out period for using diazinon effective July 2023, and for fenamiphos and methamidophos effective July 2028.
Applying for grounds for reassessment
We, the EPA, or an external applicant are applying for grounds to reassess these chemicals. There must be grounds before a reassessment can go ahead.
Please email reassessments@epa.govt.nz before you make an application or if you have any questions.