12 May 2004

The Ministry for the Environment is seeking submissions on proposals to improve the management of hazardous substances under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996. Submissions close 11 June 2004.

The suggested proposals are for streamlining the application process for hazardous substances and improving compliance, enforcement and communication. Other proposals cover the rules on moving specialty substances between research institutions and the workability of exposure limit controls for substances that are toxic to human and animal health and to the environment.

Note: the proposed changes do not affect the way the HSNO Act operates for new organisms.

The proposed changes are set out in a two-volume discussion paper available on the MfE website at www.mfe.govt.nz.