Group Standards provide for the efficient grouping of substances based on product type (e.g. Group Standards for Lubricants).
Key features of the Group Standards include:
- Hazardous substances are grouped based on substances being of a similar nature or type, or having similar circumstances of use. A Group Standard may specifically exclude substances of similar nature or type that pose a significantly greater risk.
- Generally, a Group Standard must be a more efficient and effective way of managing the risks of all the substances in the identified group than other methods of approval (for example, a Part V approval).
- Risks posed by the substances within a Group Standard must be able to be managed by one set of conditions.
- Compliance requirements will be attached to a group by way of conditions. If the substances is covered by the scope of the group std and conditions are complied with, no application to ERMA NZ for a HSNO approval will be necessary.
- In setting conditions for a Group Standard, consideration was given to the types of controls that would otherwise apply if there were individual approvals for each substance in the group.
- The conditions will be legally enforceable and to an extent, are prescriptive and user-friendly. They will stand in place of the HSNO controls regulations, unless the regulations are specifically referenced in the conditions.
- While the initial suite of Group Standards were developed by ERMA New Zealand, it is anticipated that future group standards will developed by industry.
- A Group Standard is established by Gazette Notice following public notification and consultation, and will be published in relevant industry publications.
Structure of a Group Standard
The main elements of a Group Standard are:
- Title
- Commencement date
- Interpretation
- The interpretation of terms used in the Group Standard
- Scope
- The scope describes whether a substance is covered by the group standard or not. The scope may provide:
- a description of the types of products covered;
- the chemical and physical characteristics of substances in the group, including limitations on hazard properties;
- intended/restricted uses of substances within the group standard;
- substances that may be excluded from the group standard;
- any other criteria to help define the parameters of the group standard.
Conditions
Conditions are the detailed requirements that any substance belonging to the group standard must comply with. Conditions are given for, amongst other things, information provisions, site and storage requirements, packaging, equipment and personal protective equipment, transportation and disposal.