Environmental Protection Authority Act passed
12 May 2011
The Environmental Protection Authority Act was passed by Parliament on 11 May 2011.
This Act establishes a new Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) as a standalone crown agent from 1 July 2011.
The new authority will streamline and strengthen national environmental regulatory functions currently spread across Government.
The Ministry for the Environment will continue to lead development of the policy that will support operation of the EPA.
In summary, the key functions of the new authority are:
- Process matters of national significance under the Resource Management Act
- Take over the regulatory functions of the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), in relation to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act
- Take over the administration of the Emissions Trading Scheme and Registry under the Climate Change Response Act
- Advise on the development of National Environmental Standards
- Take over the permitting and exemption functions under the Ozone Layer Protection Act
- Take over the permitting functions under the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order.
The EPA Establishment Board is currently working through the recruitment process for a Chief Executive for the new organisation and to advise the Minister of potential EPA Board members.
You can view the Minister for the Environment’s media release on www.beehive.govt.nz welcoming the passing of the Act.
