Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Strategy to improve hazardous substances work

25 June 2003 Media Statement

Strategy to improve hazardous substances work

The government has released a plan to reduce the cost of complying with the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act without compromising safety and the environment.

Environment Minister, Marian Hobbs said the HSNO Act was an innovative way of regulating hazardous substances. The hazardous substances part of the act came into force in July 2001, replacing a variety of laws regulating dangerous chemical goods.

"But because it was a new approach there have been some areas where it doesn't work as well as it should," Marian Hobbs said. "The Hazardous Substances Strategy released today will put that right."

The strategy is a comprehensive package to simplify the transfer process for existing substances, reduce application costs for new substances and improve the compliance and enforcement of HSNO.

"The strategy will directly address the concerns raised in a HSNO costs survey of businesses and research groups released today by my colleague John Tamihere," Marian Hobbs said.

The main change is that the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) – the agency that decides on applications to import, develop, or manufacture hazardous substances in New Zealand – will have more flexibility to base its decisions on the actual risk posed by a particular substance or group of substances.

"ERMA will have the means to assess low-risk applications more quickly and efficiently than currently," the minister said. "As a result, costs to applicants will be reduced substantially. These changes will encourage newer, safer chemicals into New Zealand – tilting the playing field in favour of cleaner and greener substances."

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Changes are also proposed to speed up the transfer of hazardous substances from controls made under old legislation to controls made under HSNO.

"Simplifying the transfer process is a key element of the strategy," the minister said. "The sooner substances are transferred, the simpler it will be for people. We intend to implement these changes to HSNO by early next year."

The strategy also proposes to strengthen the enforcement role of ERMA, and changes to the Act clarify the part played by territorial authorities and regional councils, in monitoring compliance with the law and enforcement where there have been breaches.

Major changes to the hazardous substance approval process will be the subject of a public discussion document due to be released in November.

The proposals are quite separate from amendments, currently before Parliament, to the way HSNO operates for new organisms, including genetically modified organisms.

Copies of the Hazardous Substances strategy can be viewed on: www.mfe.govt.nz


Additional Background

The Hazardous Substances Strategy: Changes in enforcement

The Hazardous Substances Strategy envisages both short- and long-term initiatives to clarify and strengthen the law regarding enforcement and compliance

SHORT TERM ACTION

The government has agreed that ERMA should play a more central role in directing and coordinating enforcement agency activities. This includes ensuring:
- enforcement agencies have the capacity to enforce HSNO effectively
- business and individuals comply with the law
- there is sufficient expertise and resources to deal with emergencies.

The capacity and role of territorial authorities will be a key focus of ERMA’s coordination activity.

The funding required for this is currently being reviewed and an announcement is expected within the next three months. ERMA will then work with territorial authorities and other enforcement agencies to ensure effective working partnerships are developed and maintained.

LONGER TERM OUTCOMES

The government has agreed to amend HSNO to:
- Include regional councils in enforcement agencies in recognition of their environmental expertise and to complement their current role under the Resource Management Act (RMA; and
- Clarify and expand the role of territorial authorities under HSNO, for example in the area of emergency response, emergency planning and Hazardous Substances Technical Liaison Committees (HSTLCs)

The details of these two proposals have not been determined and will be developed with local government and enforcement agencies during September/October 2003. A public discussion document will then be produced to allow wider consultation on the proposals. The discussion paper is due out in November 2003.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.