October 21, 2002
The Ministry for the Environment and the Environmental Risk Management Authority have announced today a revised timeline for the transfer of dangerous goods to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act. Dangerous goods include all the common fuels such as petrol, diesel and LPG and many common bulk chemicals such as solvents. The transfer of dangerous goods to the HSNO regime involves a process of properly identifying substances classified as dangerous goods and assigning controls to effectively manage the hazardous properties of these substances.
It was due to be completed by 1 April 2003. This date has been extended to 1 April 2004. The extension by a full year will enable a full round of dangerous goods licensing to occur. Dangerous Goods licenses have a fixed term of one year and are the principal existing means of managing risks.
The delay has been caused because it has taken longer than expected to put in place the regulations for transfer to occur.
The HSNO Act commenced for hazardous substances on 2 July 2001. A transitional period of up to 5 years was put in place within which to progressively transfer existing substances to the Act and to keep existing regulatory regimes in place until transfer has occurred.
The implication for industries handling dangerous goods is that the old rules will continue to apply for a further year with the territorial authorities continuing to provide licensing and enforcement services.Meanwhile the documents outlining the proposed classifications and controls for these substances are out for consultation - the technical work on the transfer of dangerous goods will still keep to the original timetable of completing the technical policy for the transfers by the end of 2002.
For background information on the transfer project visit the transfer of substances page.
For further information contact:
Julie Watson
Phone 04 918 4824 or mobile 021 674 954