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.
Actara
The Ministry for Primary Industries has applied to modify some controls so Actara can be used during an incursion of the brown marmorated stink bug. The application is now open for public submissions.
Actara contains the active ingredient thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid insecticide, and is currently approved in New Zealand with controls.
The brown marmorated stink bug is one of the highest-risk biosecurity threats currently facing New Zealand, as it can cause significant damage to many important horticultural crops. It is also a significant social nuisance pest that can adversely impact personal wellbeing.
Submissions close at midnight on 6 December 2022.
Read more about the reassessment of Actara
Media release: EPA seeks view on nipping stink bug in the bud
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 formally applied for a reassessment of hydrogen cyanamide. There has been public consultation on its use.
Submissions closed at 5.00 pm on Monday, 20 December 2021. We are assessing and evaluating these submissions.
Read more about the hydrogen cyanamide reassessment
Media release: Deadline extended for input on kiwifruit spray ingredient
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.
Synthetic pyrethroids
Synthetic pyrethroids are insecticides that are used in off-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, and the 350-plus approved substances that contain them.
We requested information from industry and the public over the summer of 2018-2019 and have reviewed the 520 submissions we received.
We have conducted significant work on the benefits, Māori engagement and assessing overseas regulation of the pyrethroids involved. We are currently assessing risks and developing proposals for the 350-plus substances that are approved in Aotearoa New Zealand.
We will go out for public consultation on the future of these substances when this work is complete – with an indicative timeframe of mid-2022.
If you would like to apply for a new approval to import or manufacture a synthetic pyrethroid-containing substance before then, please get in touch with us on HSApplications@epa.govt.nz.
Fluazinam
Fluazinam is a fungicide used to control of a wide range of diseases in grapes, vegetable brassicas, potatoes, tomatoes, and onion crops.
On 18 October 2021, we applied for grounds to reassess fluazinam.
Reassessment grounds were granted due to significant new information on the effects of the substance.
Read the decision document (PDF, 172KB)
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.
Chlorothalonil
Chlorothalonil is a fungicide for the control of diseases on fruit, vegetables, wheat, ornamental plants, and turf. It is available for professional and commercial uses, including timber treatment.
On 24 May 2021, we applied for grounds to reassess chlorothalonil and chlorothalonil-containing substances. We declined applications for two commercial products containing chlorothalonil in 2018 and 2021 because of the risks to human health and the environment. In 2019 the European Union did not renew chlorothalonil’s approval.
Taking this into account, there is significant new information relating to the effects of the substance, and grounds for reassessment exist.
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.
There are grounds for reassessment for five neonicotinoids: clothianidin, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and acetamiprid.
We requested information from industry and the public, and reviewed their submissions.
Call for information and summary of submissions: clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam
Call for information and summary of submissions: thiacloprid and acetamiprid
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.