Timber Treatment

The chemicals you use for treating wood are controlled by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996.

As a worker in the timber industry, these are some of the typical groups of chemicals that you might use.

  • Antisapstains such as Hylite, Sabre and Taratek
  • Copper-chromium-arsenic salts such as CCA Oxide, Rentokil CCA 60%, and Tanalith C
  • LOSP such as Organotect and Protim LCWR
  • Boron Salts such as Diffusol, Immutan P, Q-Bor, and Tanalith E
  • Alkyl ammonium preservatives such as ACQ for Timber Treatment, and Mokubo AAC

If you use some of these substances, you may require one of the following test certificates:

  • a Location Test Certificate for your premises (previously a Dangerous Goods Licence)
  • an Approved Handler Test Certificate for employees handling certain highly hazardous chemicals
  • a stationary container Test Certificate

Location Test Certificates

You will need a Location Test Certificate if:

  • you are using and/or storing flammable substances above certain quantities
  • These quantities depend on the hazards of the particular chemicals you have on your site (refer to the Hazardous Substances Class 1-5 Control Regulations or contact a Test Certifier)

Approved Handler Test Certificates

When substances of certain hazards are held or used above certain quantities, they must be under the control of an Approved Handler to ensure that they are handled safely and do not harm people, nor damage the environment. For timber treatment chemicals, this requirement is usually triggered by products that have a high toxicity to humans, ie 6.1A, 6.1B or 6.1C substances.

The tables below show which timber treatment chemicals require an Approved Handler Test Certificate.

Note that not all employees handling these hazardous substances will have to be an Approved Handler. Such substances may be handled by other employees as long as they are working under the guidance of an Approved Handler, and the Approved Handler is present at the location and is available to provide assistance.

Stationary Container Test Certificates

Stationary container controls apply to both above and below ground stationary tanks or process vessels with a capacity greater than 250 litres which are used to contain liquids or gasses classified as hazardous under HSNO. In some situations, stationary containers may require test certification. For example:

  • all underground storage tanks over 250 litres require test certification
  • all aboveground tanks larger than 5,000 litres require test certification
  • gas cylinders over 500 litres water capacity (eg LPG over 250 kg cylinder) require test certification
  • all tanks in areas of Regular Habitation require test certification

How to get Test Certificates

You must obtain your Test Certificates from a Test Certifier. To find your nearest Test Certifier, check the register or call ERMA New Zealand on 0800 376 234 (HS Compliance Line) for a list of Test Certifiers to be posted to you.

Tracked chemicals

Highly hazardous substances are required to be tracked, irrespective of their quantity present. For timber treatment chemicals, this requirement is triggered by products that have a high toxicity to humans, ie class 6.1A, 6.1B or 6.1C substances.

You are also required to have an Approved Handler Test Certificate in order to use such substances. Prior to purchasing a tracked substance, your supplier will need to confirm you are an Approved Handler, or have an Approved Handler available.

The tables below show which timber treatment chemicals require tracking.

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

You should:

  • check your chemicals against the lists in this document
  • identify and obtain all Test Certificates that are required
  • contact a Test Certifier if you have any queries about what is required for a particular chemical

Tables

The information below is provided in two formats. The first table lists products alphabetically, while the second lists chemical in groups according to the different requirements. Explanatory footnotes are at the end of the document. The tables provide information on all timber treatment chemicals transferred to HSNO on 1 July 2004. They do not include any new product that has been given a Part V approval by ERMA New Zealand.

You may recognise some of the products in this table. However there will be others that are not listed here, eg those that have been approved subsequent to publishing this document. Go to a Test Certifier to find out what the requirements are for these products. There may be other substances you use that are mixtures and will be transferred to the HSNO regime at a later date. For these substances you must continue to follow the rules that are in place at present.

1. Chemicals - Alphabetical

Trade Name Product Location Certificate Approved Handler Tracking
ACQ For Timber Treatment No No No
Antiblu 150 No No No
Antiblu 375 No No No
Antiblu CC No Yes Yes
Antiblu Select No No No
Antimould Booster No Yes Yes
Antisapstain 550 CC No Yes Yes
AP 5 No No No
Ayrton C Oxide No Yes Yes
Blue Control OC No No No
Blue Control OCA No No No
Blue Control TCPN No Yes Yes
Boracol 100RH No No No
Boracol 200RH No No No
Boracol 400RH No No No
Britewood S No No No
Busan 30L Yes* Yes Yes
Busan 30WB No Yes Yes
CCA Oxide No Yes Yes
Chlorocarb No Yes Yes
Cleanwood No Yes Yes
Cutrol 375 No No No
Dazzol No No No
Diffusol No No No
Evotek 230 SE No No No
F-Bor No No No
Hylite 109 No Yes Yes
Hylite Antimould No Yes Yes
Hylite Clear No No No
Hylite Excell No No No
Hylite Export No No No
Hylite Extra No No No
Hylite Sprint No No No
Immutan P No No No
Impel Rods No No No
Impretect C No Yes Yes
Impretect Oxide No Yes Yes
L-Bor No No No
Lustral No No No
Mokubo AAC Yes* Yes Yes
Neosintol W-2000 No No No
Nexgen No Yes Yes
NP-1 (Koopers Arch) Yes* Yes Yes
NP-1 (KopCoat) Yes* Yes Yes
NP-1 Plus Yes* Yes Yes
Opptimise LS No No No
Organotect Yes* Yes Yes
Organotect H1 Yes* No No
Permacure Oxide Liquor No Yes Yes
Permatek H1 No No No
Polesaver Rods No Yes Yes
PQ-8 Yes* No No
Prosan 17 Yes* Yes Yes
Protim 95WR Yes* Yes Yes
Protim 235 WR Yes* Yes Yes
Protim LCWR Yes* No No
Q-Bor No No No
Quintrol 40 No No No
Rentokil CCA 60% No Yes Yes
Ruply Industrial Plywood Protectant No No No
Sabre No Yes Yes
Sarmix 3 No Yes Yes
Sarmix Oxcel C No Yes Yes
Sentry No Yes Yes
Tanalith Antimould No Yes Yes
Tanalith AWPA C 60% No Yes Yes
Tanalith C 60% No Yes Yes
Tanalith C Oxide 60% No Yes Yes
Tanalith E No Yes Yes
Tanalith NCA 50% No Yes Yes
Taratek 5F No Yes Yes
Taratek CC No Yes Yes
Taratek DC No Yes Yes
Taratek GC No Yes Yes
Taratek GP No Yes Yes
Taratek IG No Yes Yes
Taratek IP No No No
Taratek LVL No Yes Yes
Taratek PC No Yes Yes
Timber Antisapstain Guard Yes* Yes Yes
Tim-Bor No No No
TimTech C Oxide No Yes Yes
TimTech C Salt No Yes Yes
TimTech N Yes* Yes Yes
TimTech P Yes* No No
Tolcide No Yes Yes
Tuff Brite C No Yes Yes
Vacsol Antimould No Yes Yes
Vacsol Clear Yes* Yes Yes
Vacsol N Yes* Yes Yes
Vacsol P Yes* No No
Vacsol T Yes* No No
Woodtreat 10 No No No
Wolsin FL 30 No No No
Wolsin FL 35 No No No
Woodserve Preservation Gel No Yes Yes

2. Chemicals - by group

  • Timber treatment chemicals that do not require Location Test Certificates, Approved Handler or Tracking:
    • ACQ For Timber Treatment
    • Antiblu 150
    • Antiblu 375
    • Antiblu Select
    • AP 5
    • Blue Control OC
    • Blue Control OCA
    • Boracol 100RH
    • Boracol 200RH
    • Boracol 400RH
    • Britewood S
    • Cutrol 375
    • Dazzol
    • Diffusol
    • Evotek 230 SE
    • F-Bor
    • Hylite Clear
    • Hylite Excell
    • Hylite Export
    • Hylite Extra
    • Hylite Sprint
    • Immutan P
    • Impel Rods
    • L-Bor
    • Lustral
    • Neosintol W-2000
    • Opptimise LS
    • Permatek H1
    • Q-Bor
    • Quintrol 40
    • Ruply Industrial Plywood Protectant
    • Taratek IP
    • Tim-Bor
    • Wolsin FL 30
    • Wolsin FL 35
    • Woodtreat 10
  • Timber treatment chemicals that require Approved Handlers and Tracking but do not require a Location Test Certificate (ie products that are highly toxic but not flammable):
    • Antiblu CC
    • Antimould Booster
    • Antisapstain 550 CC
    • Ayrton C Oxide
    • Blue Control TCPN
    • Busan 30WB
    • CCA Oxide
    • Chlorocarb
    • Cleanwood
    • Hylite 109
    • Hylite Antimould
    • Impretect C
    • Impretect Oxide
    • Nexgen
    • Permacure Oxide Liquor
    • Polesaver Rods
    • Rentokil CCA 60%
    • Sabre
    • Sarmix 3
    • Sarmix Oxcel C
    • Sentry
    • Tanalith Antimould
    • Tanalith AWPA C 60%
    • Tanalith C 60%
    • Tanalith C Oxide 60%
    • Tanalith E
    • Tanalith NCA 50%
    • Taratek 5F
    • Taratek CC
    • Taratek DC
    • Taratek GC
    • Taratek GP
    • Taratek IG
    • Taratek LVL
    • Taratek PC
    • TimTech C Oxide
    • TimTech C Salt
    • Tolcide
    • Tuff Brite C
    • Vacsol Antimould
    • Woodserve Preservation Gel
  • Timber treatment chemicals that require a Location Test Certificate* but do not require Approved Handler or Tracking (ie products that are flammable, but not highly toxic):
    • Organotect H1
    • PQ-8
    • Protim LCWR
    • TimTech P
    • Vacsol P
    • Vacsol T
  • Timber treatment chemicals that require a Location Test Certificate*, Approved Handler and Tracking requirements (ie products that are flammable AND highly toxic)
    • Busan 30L
    • Mokubo AAC
    • NP-1 (Koopers Arch)
    • NP-1 (KopCoat)
    • NP-1 Plus
    • Organotect
    • Prosan 17
    • Protim 235 WR
    • Protim 95WR
    • Timber Antisapstain Guard
    • TimTech N
    • Vacsol Clear
    • Vacsol N

* For Class 3.1C substances a Location Test Certificate is not required if you are using or storing less than 500L in closed containers greater than 5L in size, or 1500L in closed containers up to and including 5L in size, or 250L in open containers.

Contact ERMA New Zealand

Information on HSNO compliance is also available from ERMA New Zealand. Contact our Hazardous Substances Compliance Line:

Phone: 0800 376 234, or
Email: hsinfo@ermanz.govt.nz

Or contact us at:

ERMA New Zealand
PO Box 131
Wellington