This Notice sets out the classification system for hazardous substances in New Zealand, and provides the criteria for each hazard classification.

Hazardous Substances (Classification) Notice 2017 (pdf 1.07MB)

What’s changed?

Nothing. The Hazardous Substances (Classification) Notice is essentially a copy of the previous Hazardous Substances (Classification) Regulations 2001, and includes some updated references to the legislation. The rules for classifying hazardous substances have not changed since the new rules came into effect on 1 December 2017. 

This Notice sets out the rules for the information that must be included on the labels of hazardous substances. It combines a number of rules currently spread across different sets of regulations, and is based on the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling (GHS) provisions.

The Notice also allows compliant labels from Australia, EU, Canada, and USA to be used, as long as certain New Zealand specific information is also included.

Hazardous Substances (Labelling) Notice 2017 (pdf 692KB)

What’s changed?

From 1 December 2017, the Hazardous Substances (Labelling) Notice requires the GHS pictograms, signal word, and hazard and precautionary statements to be on the label. This is a change from the previous requirements of the Identification Regulations, but is similar to the labelling requirements for group standards.  

Read our quick guide to ensure you are complying with the rules:

What's Changed? Labelling of Hazardous Substances (pdf 201KB) 

When do I need to comply?

The timeline for complying with the Hazardous Substances (Labelling) Notice depends on when the substance was approved, and whether or not it is covered under a group standard. See the What rules have changed? section for more information.

This Notice sets the rules for the packaging of hazardous substances, including the rules for child-resistant packaging. This notice combines and updates rules previously set in the Hazardous Substances (Packaging) Regulations 2001 and group standards.

Hazardous Substances (Packaging) Notice 2017 (pdf 709KB)

What’s changed?

From December 1 2017, rule changes apply to packaging requirements for some classifications of hazard so they better align with the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. 

The provisions for child-resistant packaging have been extended, but equivalent child-resistant packaging requirements from Australia, EU, Canada, and the USA will be allowable. 

We have also incorporated two new provisions relating to misleading packaging of consumer goods.

Read our quick guide to ensure you’re complying with the rules:

What's changing - packaging of hazardous substances (pdf 201KB)

When do I need to comply?

The timeline for complying with the Hazardous Substances (Packaging) Notice depends on when the substance was approved, and whether or not it is covered under a group standard.  See the What rules have changed? section for more information about timelines.

This Notice sets the rules for the format and content of a safety data sheet. It is similar to the provisions of the existing group standard.

Hazardous Substances (Safety Data Sheet) Notice 2017 (pdf 688KB)

What’s changed?

From December 1 2017, all safety data sheets need to be in the 16-header format in line with the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling (GHS) provisions. Either the HSNO or GHS classification must be provided in Section 2 of the safety data sheet, along with the GHS signal word, and hazard and precautionary statements. The Notice includes more details on the specific information required in some sections of the safety data sheet. 

The Notice will allow GHS-compliant safety data sheets from Australia, EU, Canada, and USA, as long as some New Zealand specific information is also included.

Read our quick guide to ensure you’re complying with the rules:

What's changing - safety data sheets (pdf 312KB)

When do I need to comply?

The timeline for complying with the Hazardous Substances (Safety Data Sheets) Notice depends on when the substance was approved, and whether or not it is covered under a group standard. See the What rules have changed? section for more information about timelines.

This Notice sets the national minimum standard for the disposal of hazardous substances. It updates disposal provisions in the Hazardous Substances (Disposal) Regulations 2001 and group standards. 

Hazardous Substances (Disposal) Notice 2017 (pdf 539KB)

​What’s changed?

The minor changes clarified ambiguous provisions and better aligned to with the new Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations.

We also incorporated a new provision to prohibit the disposal of halogenated organic substances (natural and synthetic chemicals that contain fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine) by low-temperature incineration.

Read our quick guide to ensure you’re complying with the new rules: 

What's changing - disposal of hazardous substances​ (pdf 317KB)

When do I need to comply?

The timeline for complying with the Disposal Notice depends on when the substance was approved, and whether or not it is covered under a group standard. See the What rules have changed? section for more information about timelines.

This notice includes rules:

• to protect the general public when using and storing hazardous substances in places outside of work, and
• to protect the environment when using and storing ecotoxic (class 9) hazardous substances. Most of these rules are relevant to both workplaces and non-workplaces, and many of these rules relate to the use of pesticides.

Hazardous Substances (Hazardous Property Controls) Notice 2017 (pdf 1.1MB)

This Notice includes:

• qualification requirements for users of highly ecotoxic pesticides in certain situations
• rules to manage the risks from the storage and use of ecotoxic substances in workplaces
• restriction on supply and use of certain highly hazardous substances to places outside of work
• rules for hazardous substances used or stored in places outside of work
• rules about stationary container systems for domestic oil burning installations
• certification of non-workplaces storing more than 100 kg of LPG
• rules for filling SCUBA cylinders in places outside of work.

See our guides:

Storing or using substances with ecotoxic properties (pdf 272KB)

Protecting the environment while using pesticides (pdf 544KB)

Sell or supply certain chemicals to workplaces only (pdf 227KB)

When do I need to comply?

This notice came into effect on 1 December 2017. Many of the controls in this notice apply immediately to all approved substances, including group standards, regardless of when the substance was approved. These controls are listed on page 8 of the notice.

The timeline for compliance with the remaining controls in this notice depends on when your substance was approved.

See the Summary of timeframes for compliance with EPA Notices section for more information about timelines

To see a list of the controls that apply to a specific substance, look in our Approved Hazardous Substances with Controls database

This Notice sets out all the information you need to provide to the EPA if you are applying for an approval for a hazardous substance under the HSNO Act. It also includes a form for issuing compliance orders.

Hazardous Substances (Forms and Information) Notice 2017 (pdf 512KB)

What’s changed?

Nothing. Most existing provisions of the Hazardous Substances (Forms and Information) Regulations 2001 have been moved – unchanged – into this Notice.

This set of Notices requires most people or businesses that make or import hazardous substances to provide us with some basic contact information.

This information helps us manage hazardous substances in New Zealand and allows us to communicate with manufacturers and importers and keep them up to date and informed.

Your details must be provided to us within 30 days of the first time you import or manufacture a hazardous substance. You will only need to do this once, although you will need to keep us updated if your details change. 

Amendments to the Notice

The 2017 Amendment required importers of class 1 explosive substances to apply to us for an import certificate. See the section on applying for an Explosives Import Certificate.

As a result of the 2018 Amendment, since 1 October 2018, an import certificate is only required for:

• explosives that require a controlled substance licence under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017
• retail fireworks, except novelty and noise-maker fireworks specified in regulation 4(2) of the Hazardous Substances (Fireworks) Regulations 2001, such as party poppers and Christmas crackers.

Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Notice 2015 (EPA consolidation as of 6 September 2018) (pdf 537 KB)

Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Notice 2015 (pdf 492KB)

Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Amendment Notice 2017 (pdf 589KB)

Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Amendment Notice 2018 (pdf 1.8MB)

Who the rule applies to

This rule applies to anyone who has been importing or manufacturing a hazardous product for a commercial use since 19 November 2015. Commercial use can mean for sale or trade, but it also applies if you are importing or manufacturing a hazardous substance to use in a business setting – for example, a beautician might import a product to use on clients in his or her salon.

The only case where you would not be required to give us your contact details is if you are importing or manufacturing a product that you will keep for your personal use, and no other purpose.

What we will do with your information

We will use your information to communicate with you to make sure you are aware of changes to the regime around managing the risks of hazardous substances. It will also help us better understand hazardous substance industries.

Change of details

As soon as your details change, you should email us to ask us to update your details. We will need to know your name, address and phone and email contact.

International exporters contact details

International exporters do not need to provide their contact details. The Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers Information) Notice 2015 applies to the New Zealand entity which is importing or manufacturing hazardous substances.

Laboratories operating under the Code of Practice for Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) and University Exempt Laboratories

also need to supply their information if a hazardous substance is being manufactured in the lab?

Laboratories manufacturing hazardous substances in the lab do not need to supply their information. This Notice does not apply to small-scale research on hazardous substances under section 33 of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996. 

You can find out more under Section 33 of the Act

Previously supplied contact details

Even if you've supplied us with your contact details before for another reason, if you're now importing or manufacturing a hazardous substance, we need to hear from you.

We have a large number of stakeholder contact lists, however our data does not indicate whether organisations or people are importers, manufacturers or have some other interest in our work. We need to collect details so we can differentiate importers and manufacturers from other types of businesses we may hold information about and so we can be sure we have a comprehensive list. We will be using your contact information to keep you informed about any new rules or changes you should be aware of.

Do large organisations (eg oil companies) need to provide their details?

If you are a NZ-based organisation and are importing and/or manufacturing hazardous substances then yes, you need to provide the information.

Importing or manufacturing hazardous substances assigned to Group Standards 

The Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers Information) Notice 2015 applies to all importers and manufacturers of hazardous substances other than people making or importing the hazardous substances for personal use. Remember that if hazardous substances are assigned to group standards a record of assignment must also be kept.