May 9, 2001
Funding increases announced today have been welcomed by the Environmental Risk Management Authority.
The Minister for the Environment, Hon Marian Hobbs, said ERMA will get an extra $1 million in the coming year to help it implement new rules on hazardous substances, which come into effect on 2 July (under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms [HSNO] Act 1996).
The Authority will be responsible for regulating substances that could be harmful to the environment or public health. The law covers a wide range of potentially hazardous substances, including industrial chemicals, inks, solvents, paints, resins, pesticides, explosives and other dangerous goods. If a substance is approved, the Authority will set controls on its use, labeling, storage, transport and disposal.
ERMA New Zealand Chief Executive, Dr Bas Walker, said he was very pleased with the boost to the Authority's budget, which will be applied in three main areas.
New substances
"The government recognizes that the new legislation needs to be well promoted and supported if it's going to work effectively. This extra funding will allow us to set up effective processes and ensure that industry and the wider community are well informed about the implications, and their obligations under the Act," said Dr. Walker.
Enforcement
Controls on approved substances will be monitored and enforced by a wide range of agencies, including Occupational Safety and Health, transport safety authorities, the police, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Economic Development, and local government. While not an enforcement agency itself, the Authority will have oversight of the work of these other agencies.
Dr Walker said the additional funding will ensure that there is a good understanding of what is required and that the new system is set up to run smoothly.
Existing substances
The HSNO Act also covers thousands of existing substances, already legally present in New Zealand, that are widely used in industry and agriculture.
ERMA New Zealand is starting a 5 year programme to review them against the criteria in the HSNO Act. This will include identifying, classifying and setting controls on each substance, so they can be progressively transferred into the new system.
"The extra funding will give this programme a much needed boost," said Dr Walker.
"Dealing effectively with existing substances will be critical to the success of HSNO. These substances will dominate the hazardous substances scene in New Zealand for the immediate future.
See the new educational website www.hsno.govt.nz for more details.
For further information:
| Dr Bas Walker Chief Executive, ERMA New Zealand Ph 04 473 8426 |
Karen Cronin Communications Manager, ERMA New Zealand Ph 04 918 4826 |