Greetings Members and Colleagues,
Kindly note the following date-sensitive events of interest arising from the
EPA Hazardous Substances Update Advisory, Issue 10:
Webinar: New Hazardous Substances Notification and Reporting Requirements
Join the EPA webinar on Wednesday, 26 November from 10.30am to 11.30am to learn more about what’s required under the Consolidated Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Notice 2015 and the online portal. If you’re unable to attend, a recording of the webinar will be available on our website.
A Reminder About Reporting Requirements
From 1 January 2026, all importers and manufacturers of hazardous substances will be required to provide additional business and substance approval information.
Additional annual reporting will be also required from importers and manufacturers of certain hazardous substances. Remember to ensure your record keeping will support your 2025 annual reporting, which is due to the EPA in early 2026.
PFAS Foam Restrictions Take Effect 03 December 2025
From Wednesday 3 December 2025, C6 fluorotelomer fire fighting foams will only be able to be used in a fire fighting system if the EPA has granted permission. This means that a permission issued by the EPA must be obtained before any use of C6 fluorotelomer foam after this date.
Importation and manufacture of C6 fluorotelomer foam will still be allowed for approved uses, provided it complies with the Fire Fighting Chemicals Group Standard 2021 (HSR002573).
Until 3 December 2025, legacy PFAS fire fighting foams may only be used in contained systems for:
- Testing the operation of firefighting systems, or
- Operating or maintaining such system, provided these uses comply with the conditions set out in the Fire Fighting Chemicals Group Standard 2021.
There is no mechanism for the EPA to provide an extension to this timeframe. The EPA has gradually phased out the use of legacy PFAS fire fighting foams since 2020 and from 01 January 2023 they were no longer able to be used in uncontained fire fighting systems
New Cosmetic Rule Starts 01 January 2026
From 01 January 2026, new requirements apply to cosmetics containing hazardous components. This also marks the last year PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) containing cosmetics can be imported to New Zealand.
Key Updates Cover:
- Prohibited and restricted ingredients.
- Approved colourants, preservatives and UV filters.
- Nanomaterial record keeping.
- Expanded the scope to include cosmetic products that contain a hazardous component.
PFAS are sometimes found in products like nail polish and mascara and persist in the environment. This change aligns with our broader PFAS phase-out, including fire-fighting foams.
Dates to Note
You can now find the key dates for upcoming hazardous substances rule changes in one place. Dates for upcoming hazardous substances rule changes
03 December – PFAS in firefighting foams phase out ends and deadline to apply for permissions for C6 foams.
01 January 2026 – Some Cosmetic Products Group Standard changes come into effect.
01 January 2026 – Importers and manufacturers must provide additional business details, including their NZBN (if they have one) and the HSNO approval or group standard for their products.
01 January to 31 May 2026 – First annual reports are due for certain hazardous substances imported and manufactured, and certain explosives manufactured in 2025.
08 January 2026 – Disposal deadlines for certain products containing chlorpyrifos start.
Recent EPA Decisions
Herbicide
APP204887 by Dulux Group (New Zealand) Pty Ltd to import or manufacture Yates Weed ‘n’ Feed Weed Killer and Lawn Fertiliser Granular, containing 167.5 g/kg iron (II) sulfate monohydrate, for controlling broadleaf weeds in home gardens. Approved with controls 30 September 2025.
APP205043 by Adria New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Basis, a herbicide containing 500 g/L of the active ingredient prometryn as a suspension concentrate for weed control in carrots, parsnips, onions, peas and potatoes. Approved with controls 1 October 2025.
Insecticide
APP204688 by Certis U.S.A. L.L.C. to import or manufacture BotaniGard OD, an insecticide containing Beauveria bassiana strain GHA, to control of a range of chewing, rasping and sucking insects in a variety of fruit, vegetable and arable crops. Approved with controls 20 October 2025.
Timber Treatment
APP205042 by Kop-Coat New Zealand Limited to import or manufacture Timbertreat Azole, a fungicide and insecticide containing 125 g/L tebuconazole, 125 g/L propiconazole and 83 g/L permethrin as the active ingredients as an emulsifiable concentrate for use as a timber preservative.
Approved with controls 24 September 2025.
Welcome High Court Ruling on Glyphosate Decision
In response to yet another challenge, the High Court on 17 October ruled that the EPA was justified in finding that there were no grounds to reassess the herbicide glyphosate.
The Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) sought a judicial review challenging the EPA’s decision in July 2024 that there was no significant new information about glyphosate warranting reassessment of the weedkiller.
The Court found no errors in the EPA’s decision and that the expert scientists were justified in assessing the material provided by ELI for reliability.
Hopefully, this will discourage further challenges to the management of this proven herbicide
Shipping E-Waste?
Permit requirements are now in force for all electrical and electronic waste (e-waste), including non-hazardous e-waste.
From 25 July 2025, importers and exporters of non-hazardous e-waste now also need a permit to ship their waste. Previously, permits were only required for hazardous e-waste.
These requirements were introduced following an amendment to the Basel Convention, an international waste agreement.
The EPA welcomes subscribers to their regular Hazardous Substances Update