ERMA New Zealand’s reassessment programme is an ongoing programme which involves taking a ‘second look’ at already approved substances to reconsider the adequacy of the safety precautions, or even whether the chemicals should still be used in New Zealand.
The programme is designed to reduce risks to people and the environment. Apart from reviewing use of higher risk single substances, it will include:
- Maintenance of a Chief Executive initiated reassessment (CEIR) list
- Chief Executive initiated applications for reassessment and grounds for reassessment of a substance or substances
- Processing of minor or technical amendments to existing approved substances
- Review of any aspects of approvals (for example, focussing on use (e.g., anti-fouling paints) or a particular method of application (e.g., boom spraying))
- Review of any aspects of compliance with the conditions or controls on approvals (whether it is a substance, group standard, or equipment). This may lead to the need for reassessment of a substance or a group of substances, or the need for specific compliance tools (e.g., a Code of Practice) to assist compliance with the conditions or controls.
Chief Executive Initiated Reassessment List
The Chief Executive initiated reassessment list is a list of substances for which new information suggests that there is a need to take another look at the risks, costs and benefits of a substance which is already approved under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act. Any person may make an application for a substance to be reassessed. If the Chief Executive of ERMA New Zealand is the applicant, the applications are known as Chief Executive initiated reassessments (CEIRs). CEIRs are selected from a list of substances which is compiled through a public consultation process. This list will continue to be a ‘living’ list, with substances (including non-pesticides) being added to the list as the need for reassessment is identified as necessary to manage a significant risk.
The initial list of 20 substances was developed in 2007 following public consultation. In September 2009 ERMA New Zealand released a consultation document seeking submissions on the initial list and a proposal to revise the list taking into consideration of potential risks relevant to the New Zealand context. The risk based approach takes into account the potential for exposure to the substance (using ‘surrogate’ indicators of exposure - application rate and estimated quantities used in New Zealand) as well as the substance’s inherent hazardous properties.
The consultation document set out:
- the risk based approach for placing substances on the CEIR list;
- a revised list of substances for reassessment with their risk ranking; and
- information on generic reassessment work on spray drift management, anti-fouling paints and anti-coagulant VTAs.
In the summary of submissions ERMA New Zealand has responded to points raised by submitters to clarify its approach and/or describe how it will take the points made into account.
ERMA New Zealand will use the information resulting from the risk ranking as the basis of a list of substances for Chief Executive initiated reassessment. Substances for reassessment will be selected on a yearly basis taking account of the ranking on the list together with any new data on use or hazardous properties, and other New Zealand or overseas regulatory action.
Chief Executive Initiated Reassessment (CEIR) List (in alphabetical order)
- 2,4-D, its salts and esters
- acephate
- acetochlor
- alachlor
- atrazine
- benomyl
- captan
- carbaryl
- carbendazim
- chlormequat chloride
- chlorothalonil
- chlorpyrifos
- diazinon
- dimethoate
- fenamiphos
- glufosinate-ammonium
- glyphosate
- hexazinone
- isoproturon
- linuron
- mancozeb
- MCPA
- MCPB
- mecoprop
- mepiquat chloride
- metalaxyl-m
- Methamidophos (60%)
- metiram
- paraquat
- phorate
- picloram
- pirimiphos methyl
- propachlor
- terbuthylazine
- thiram
- tolylfluanid
- triclopyr
- trifluralin
- ziram
Substances for which reassessment action is needed to address a significant risk may be added to this list on an ongoing basis.