Printing Industry

including lithographic, flexographic, screen and gravure printers

The chemicals you use for printing are now controlled by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996, which replaces previous laws such as the Dangerous Goods Act 1974 and the Toxic Substances Act 1979.

These are some of the typical chemicals that might be used in the printing industry.

Solvents
such as acetone, white spirit, mineral turpentine, butanol, dichloromethane, ethanol, ethyl acetate, ethylene glycol, hexane, isopropyl alcohol, methanol, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), perchloroethylene, styrene, toluene, trichloroethylene, and xylene
Adhesives
which may contain isocyanates as well as solvents
Inks and coatings
which may contain chromates/chromic acids - such as lead chromate, N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP, N-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone), Michler's ketone, and solvents

From 1 October 2004, if you want to continue using some of these substances, the law may require you to have the right Test Certificates. You may need:

  • a Location Test Certificate for your premises (previously a Dangerous Goods Licence)
  • an Approved Handler Test Certificate for employees responsible for the handling of certain highly hazardous chemicals.

Location Test Certificates

You will need a Location Test Certificate:

  • if you are using and/or storing particular chemicals above certain minimum quantities
  • as a general rule, if you hold a Dangerous Goods Licence for your premises you will need a Location Test Certificate. There are exceptions eg for diesel.

Approved Handlers

An Approved Handler must make sure that certain chemicals are handled safely, that they do not harm people, nor damage the environment.

The table below shows you which chemicals you commonly use will need an Approved Handler. Note that not all employees handling these hazardous substances will have to be Approved Handlers, as long as they are working under the guidance of an Approved Handler. However, an Approved Handler must be present at the location and be available to provide assistance.

How to get Test Certificates

You must obtain your certificates from a Test Certifier. To find your nearest Test Certifier check the register or call ERMA New Zealand for a list of Test Certifiers to be posted to you.

Tracked chemicals

The most hazardous chemicals need tracking, and you will need an Approved Handler in order to use them. To buy them your supplier will need to confirm you are an Approved Handler, and that you have a Location Test Certificate if needed. The table at the end shows which chemicals are tracked.

When do I need to have all my Certificates?

If you are handling tracked substances you need to have your Location and Approved Handler Test Certificates in place by 1 January 2005. ERMA New Zealand will not allow any extension of this date.

For substances that do not require tracking, Test Certificates for Locations and Approved Handlers will be needed following a timetable starting in October 2004 and ending in June 2006. More details can be found in Dangerous Goods Dispatch - Issue 3 (March 2004) at www.ermanz.govt.nz/hs/dangerous-goods/dg-dispatch3.pdf.

If the substance is not tracked and you cannot meet the date required, you may submit a plan to ERMA New Zealand for approval, providing a date by when you will comply.

At a glance

The following is an overview of some of the substances that require Approved Handlers, Location Certificates and Tracking. Note: these are for the pure substances. Some of the substances you use, such as isocyanic acid, lead chromate and n-vinyl pyrrolidone are currently classified as Notified Toxic Substances (NOTS) and will be transferred to the HSNO Act by July 2006. All NOTS are still subject to Dangerous Goods or Toxic Substances Regulations until transferred.

Chemical Name Location Test Certificate Approved Handler Test Certificate Tracking
Ammonium dichromate Yes >500 kg Yes (any quantity) Yes
Dichloromethane No No No
Ethylene glycol No No No
Nitric acid >70% (not fuming) Yes >1000 litres Yes (any quantity) No
Perchloroethylene No Yes >10 litres No
Potassium dichromate No Yes (any quantity) Yes
Sodium dichromate Yes >500 kg Yes (any quantity) Yes
Sodium dichromate, dihydrate No Yes (any quantity) Yes
Sodium hydroxide No No No
Solvents (low flashpoint):
Acetone; butyl acetate; ethanol; ethyl acetate; h eptane; h exane; isopropyl acetate; isopropyl alcohol; methanol; methyl ethyl ketone (MEK); toluene
Yes >100 litres in large closed containers* Yes >250 litres No
Solvents (medium flashpoint):
Butanol ; Mineral Turpentine; Styrene; p-xylene
Yes >500 litres in large closed containers* No No
Sulphuric acid - fuming No Yes (any quantity) Yes
Trichloroethylene No Yes >10 litres No

* ie containers that are larger than 5 litres, this includes containers that are open occasionally for the contents to be removed.

NOTE: If you have more than one substance that requires a Location Test Certificate it is the total quantity of all those substances that will determine whether a Test Certificate is needed. Please contact a Test Certifier for advice.

What must I do now?

Not all the chemicals you use, distribute, or store will be listed in this leaflet, but please be aware that all hazardous chemicals are controlled by the HSNO Act.

You should:

Further information

You can also contact a hazardous substance enforcement officer, normally Department of Labour Workplace Group (Occupational Safety and Health Service), in your district.

In addition to enforcement officers there are also regional consultants for hazardous substances who can offer independent advice. Refer to: