Embargoed till 28 August 2003
27 August 2003
Explosives are regulated by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 as of today.
Explosives are the first group of hazardous substances to be transferred to the HSNO regime since the hazardous substances part of the Act commenced in July 2001. The explosives group includes retail fireworks, display pyrotechnics, ammunition, flares and blasting explosives.
Chair of the Environmental Risk Management Authority, Mr Neil Walter said, "We are currently working with Ministry for the Environment to help simplify the legislative framework within which transfer occurs. There is also work going on within ERMA to simplify the process of transfer and to allocate more resources to the programme so that transfer can occur to planned target dates," Mr Walter said. "The implication of this transfer for explosives users will mean a continuation of effective risk management of these substances with a few minor changes. If you look at retail fireworks as an example, shops may display retail fireworks in the same way as they have done under previous law. Only now if you are handling a very large quantity of fireworks, that is more than 500kg of retail fireworks, then you will need to ensure there is someone who is an Approved Handler to be present. If you are storing over 10,000kg of fireworks, you need proper test certificates for location storage."
An event to celebrate this transfer will be held today at the Portrait Gallery from 5.30pm. Hon Marian Hobbs, Minister for the Environment will be present to celebrate the first group of substances to be transferred.
Further information
For further information please contact:
Uma Cannon,
Public Awareness Advisor.
Communications.
Telephone +64 4 918 4865.
Facsimile +64 4 914 0433.
Email: info@ermanz.govt.nz.
For more information see Explosives