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Hazardous properties

A substance is hazardous if it exceeds the threshold for one or more hazardous properties. Most hazardous substances will have more than one hazardous property, for example petrol is flammable, toxic and ecotoxic.

The hazardous properties are:

  • Explosive (Class 1)
  • Flammable (Classes 2, 3, 4)
  • Oxidising (Class 5)
  • Toxic (Class 6)
  • Corrosive (Class 8)
  • Ecotoxic (Class 9).

Each of the above properties has different levels of hazard – from the least to the most hazardous.

For the first time in New Zealand, the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO Act) provides controls for all the hazardous properties of a substance. Controls were previously provided by a raft of legislation including Pesticides, Toxic Substances, and Dangerous Goods Acts. The disposal requirements and controls on ecotoxic properties are new to the HSNO Act.

Each hazardous substance, based on its hazardous properties, will have associated controls. These are determined by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) when the substance is approved for import or manufacture, or when it is transferred to the HSNO control regime.

HSNO controls will apply at all stages in the manufacture, use and disposal of hazardous substances. Regulations cover:

  • packaging
  • disposal
  • tracking
  • personnel qualifications
  • emergency management
  • identification.

Transfer of hazardous substances to HSNO controls

All currently available hazardous substances in New Zealand will be transferred to the HSNO control regime over a number of years by ERMA. So far, the following groups of hazardous substances have been transferred to the HSNO control regime:

  • Explosives were transferred on 28 August 2003. Included are retail fireworks, display pyrotechnics, ammunition, flares and blasting explosives.
  • Dangerous goods were transferred on 1 April 2004. This covers single component dangerous goods, including major fuels like petrol, diesel and natural gas and most bulk chemicals.
  • Scheduled toxic substances were transferred on 1 April 2004.
  • Pesticides were transferred on 1 July 2004.

More information on the transference of hazardous substances is available on the ERMA website.