The Authority also specified requirements for safe disposal of endosulfan by 17 January 2010.
In the course of the reassessment, information on endosulfan had been gathered internationally, locally, from industry, and through public submissions and a public hearing.
Endosulfan had been used as an insecticide on a variety of crops in New Zealand, including vegetables, berry fruit, citrus and ornamentals. It had also been used for earthworm control at parks, sports grounds and sports clubs, although that use was not endorsed by suppliers of the product.
Endosulfan is acutely toxic to humans at high levels and very toxic to aquatic organisms. It has the potential to harm people working with it, the public, and the environment.
The Authority was told it was an effective and relatively inexpensive insecticide, generally used infrequently as a last resort.
After consideration of all the options, including the possible imposition of stricter controls on its use, the decision-making committee concluded that the level of adverse effects to the environment, human health, the relationship of Māori to the environment, and to New Zealand's international relationships outweighed any positive effects of the availability of endosulfan.
Staff of ERMA New Zealand are working with regional councils, specialist waste disposal contractors, industry associations and the news media to communicate the requirement to dispose of endosulfan safely by the deadline.
Anecdotal reports show that industry is very aware of the need to dispose of endosulfan. Contractors and regional council staff say both unused and partly-used containers of endosulfan are being turned in for safe disposal around the country, mainly through the rural "hazmobiles" and the toxic waste collection and disposal schemes funded jointly by regional councils and the Ministry for the Environment.
Disposal information is available on the ERMA New Zealand website