Media Release
24 September 2009
ERMA New Zealand is seeking public input into a revised list of hazardous substances it considers priorities for reassessment.
The current priority list for reassessment, known as the Chief Executive-Initiated Reassessment (CEIR) list, was drawn up following public consultation in 2006. Since then, reassessments on 12 of the 20 priority substances have been completed or are underway.
ERMA New Zealand has now reviewed a number of other substances and is proposing to revise the priority list for reassessment from 1 July 2010.
This is part of an ongoing programme of work covering a wide range of hazardous substances that will include industrial chemicals, agricultural chemicals and other pesticides.
Reassessments Manager Mike Morris says the approach taken to prioritising the substances is based on the potential for exposure to the substance (for example, taking into account the amount used in New Zealand) as well as the substances’ inherent hazardous properties.
“This gives a better idea of the likely risks posed by a substance and so enables us to allocate the significant resources required for each substance’s reassessment more efficiently,’’ Mr Morris says.
Submissions are invited from the public and interested parties on the proposed revisions to the priority list.
Mr Morris says submissions form an important part of the information presented to the Authority before it makes its decision.
Information on the substances on the list, their use in New Zealand, any significant omissions and the method of prioritisation will be particularly useful, Mr Morris says.
Submissions on the priority list close on Friday 30 October 2009.
Submissions can be made by letter or email ( reassessments@ermanz.govt.nz ) or through the ERMA New Zealand website, www.ermanz.govt.nz
To view the full document, click here
For further information, contact:
Sarah Kenward, Senior Communications Advisor, ERMA New Zealand.
• Telephone +64 -4 -918 4813 • Mobile 021 976 853
• Facsimile +64- 4 -914 0433 • sarah.kenward@ermanz.govt.nz
Last Updated Sep 2009