The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) maintained the upward trend for hazardous substances decisions in the second quarter of the 2025-26 year.

Dr Lauren Fleury, Manager Hazardous Substances Applications, says the EPA continues to use rapid assessment pathways where possible. Of the 16 approved applications in the second quarter, 13 were decided by rapid assessment.

"This reflects our commitment to assessing applications based on the risks posed and the priority we’re giving to reducing the queue of applications.

"It also reflects the development of our new staff who have been supported in their training by more experienced team members. In time, this will mean more resources are available for complex applications and operational improvements," she says.

A total of 37 hazardous substances applications have been approved in the first half of the 2025-26 year.

Dr Lauren Fleury say, "We acknowledge concerns about the number of applications awaiting assessment and we are committed to keep improving our performance in this area.

"Our new hazardous substances quarterly reports are providing a clearer picture of trends and our performance."

The latest hazardous substances quarterly report shows the queue of applications fell to 84, down 12.5 percent from 96 on 1 July 2025. This is the lowest number of applications in the queue since early 2022. In the second quarter, we approved two higher-complexity applications- one for an agricultural herbicide containing a new active ingredient and one for a non-agricultural insecticide.

In this period, 15 containment applications were decided, up from six in the first quarter, consistent with seasonal trends in previous years. Performance for containment application assessments continues to be well within the statutory timeframes.

Dr Fleury says, "the report also makes clearer the complex Category B and Category C applications that are currently progressing through their assessments, acknowledging this is the area of highest interest for many stakeholders."

Strengthening relationships with industry

The EPA continued senior-level engagement with the Sector Leaders Forum as part of progressing the recommendations from the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review, as well as numerous operational level engagements to better understand the challenges and opportunities of stakeholders.

Dr Fleury says, "the EPA is further engaging with industry to explore ways to prioritise assessment of substances with the highest potential to improve economic or environmental outcomes."

Read the Hazardous substance applications quarterly report here: https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Documents/EPA-Publications/Hazardous-substances-quarterly-report/2025-Q2-EPA-Hazardous-Substances-Performance.pdf

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