More 'POPS' to get the push in New Zealand

Proposed legislative additions are being considered that will enable New Zealand to comply fully with its international obligations regarding Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which remain in the environment and do not break down naturally.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is managing a joint consultation process, also involving the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry for Primary Industries, to amend the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, to ensure New Zealand fully complies with its international obligations under the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions. 

The two conventions deal with the potential risks of hazardous chemicals and pesticides posed by the dramatic growth in global chemical production and trade in recent decades.

All but two of the proposed additions to the POPs list are no longer in New Zealand, are not approved under the legislation, or are being phased out.

However, these substances have been added to the Stockholm and Rotterdam lists and, while there is no formal requirement to do so, it is important that New Zealand’s regulatory framework is amended to reflect its international obligations.

Submissions open on 26 September 2016 and close at 8 am on 27 October 2016.