New Zealand revokes approvals for some OPCs pesticides

The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has revoked approval for 18 veterinary medicine and insecticide products because of the risk to people and the environment from organophosphates and carbamates (OPCs).
 

The EPA initiated a reassessment of 19 substances containing carbaryl, chlorpyrifos and diazinon which are used as active ingredients in veterinary medicines or in non-plant protection insecticides (in and around buildings, on hard surfaces, and in industrial situations) to control wasps and other insects. Approval for one product containing carbaryl has been retained, with significant restrictions on its use.


 

 “This reassessment was undertaken because of concerns about the safety and well-being of people and the environment resulting from the use of carbaryl, chlorpyrifos and diazinon,” said Applications and Assessment General Manager Sarah Gardner.
 

“The toxicity of carbaryl, chlorpyrifos and diazinon means that serious human health and adverse environmental effects may result from their use. As well as acute toxicity, there is potential for OPCs to cause longer term chronic health effects.”
 

Approval was retained for one substance (carbaryl containing ear drops, approval no. HSR001825), with an additional control for child resistant packaging and a label warning to keep out of reach of children. The hazard classifications for this substance have also been reviewed and new classifications put in place.
 

Reassessments of hazardous substances are undertaken when there is new information indicating that the risks to human health and the environment may not be adequately managed by existing controls.
 

Many products in this reassessment have already been removed from the marketplace and are not currently used in New Zealand. The EPA has revoked these approvals to ensure that New Zealand does not become a market for obsolete products. From 28 February 2016, these substances are no longer able to be imported or manufactured.
 

This reassessment followed the EPA’s previous OPC reassessment in June 2013, which only considered OPCs that were used as insecticides for plant protection. 
 

People who continue to use products containing these substances should take precautions, such as following the instructions on the label and washing their hands after using them. In most cases, there are safer, more effective alternatives available on the market. 
 

Any home users or retailers who need to dispose of small quantities of these substances should contact their local authority for advice on hazardous substance disposal in their area. Commercial users, and those with large quantities of these substances to dispose of, should contact a commercial hazardous waste disposal company.
 

Anyone who wants to export their existing stocks as waste must follow relevant New Zealand law. This may include applying to the EPA for a permit to export hazardous waste.