The implementation of GHS in the New Zealand
For international transport of dangerous goods, see Implementation through international legal instruments, recommendations, codes and guidelines
The main department:
New Zealand Transport Agency
The relevant legislation
The requirements for controlling the transport of dangerous goods on land are based on the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods – Model Regulations (UNRTDG). The principal New Zealand legislation in this area is the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO) and the regulations made under that Act. These impose requirements for all phases of the life cycle of hazardous substances. Generally, regulations made under the HSNO recognise compliance with the Rule as compliance with HSNO for land transport.
The Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005 (the Dangerous Goods Rule), which entered into force on 27 June 2005, covers the packaging, identification and documentation of dangerous goods; the segregation of incompatible goods; transport procedures and the training and responsibilities of those involved in the transport of dangerous goods. The Rule’s requirements are applied according to the nature, quantity and use of the goods.
Since its entry into force, the Rule has been amended twice: Dangerous Goods Amendment 2010 (Rule 45001/2) and Dangerous Goods Amendment 2011 (Rule 45001/3). Changes to the Rule are mainly of a minor technical nature, but are intended to ensure that uniformity is maintained with international maritime and aviation codes for the transport of dangerous goods. Revision of the Rule takes into account amendments to the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations and aligns transport controls with regulations made under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, which imposes controls for all phases of the life cycle of hazardous substances.
Other department:
Implemented since 2 July 2001.
Legislation applicable to all (new and existing) substances since 1 July 2006.
For labelling, in order to better align New Zealand’s implementation timetable for GHS with those of its major trading partners, an additional provision will allow for acceptance of labelling in accordance with the requirements of specified overseas jurisdictions until the end of 2010.
For SDS, the Safety Data Sheet code of practice (HSNOCOP 8-1) adopts the 16 header SDS format and is consistent with the guidance provided in Annex 4 of the GHS.
The main department:
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) New Zealand
Ministry for the Environment
WorkSafe New Zealand
The main legislation
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 and related regulations and codes of practice
Health and Safety Employment (HSE) Act 1992 (amended in 2002)
Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 (on identification, labelling and packaging of hazardous substances)
Additional information:
HSNO Act 1996 stipulates the import, manufacture or use (including disposal) of manufactured chemicals that have hazardous properties. The hazardous properties (defined in accordance with GHS criteria) are: explosive; flammable; oxidizing; toxic; corrosive; and ecotoxicity.
HSNO controls apply at all stages in the manufacture, use and disposal of hazardous substances. Regulations cover: packaging; disposal; tracking; personnel qualifications; emergency management; and identification.
ERMA New Zealand, in conjunction with the Ministry for the Environment, has initiated work towards the revision of the hazardous substances classification framework under the HSNO Act (the Hazardous Substances (Minimum Degrees of Hazard) Regulations 2001 and the Hazardous Substances (Classification) Regulations 2001) to bring it into line with the 3rd revised edition of the GHS.
A chemical classification information database (CCID) containing chemicals classified by ERMA New Zealand in accordance with HSNO regulations (which are based on the GHS) is available. Classifications are provided for both the physical hazards (explosiveness, flammability, oxidizing capacity, metal corrosiveness) and biological hazards (toxicity, biological corrosiveness and ecotoxicity) of a chemical. The HSNO hazard classification system is substantially equivalent to the United Nations Globally Harmonized System for classification of chemicals (GHS): see the correlation of the HSNO classification categories with those of the GHS.
There is also an Inventory of Chemicals (NZIoC) which contains the list of chemicals for which notification and approval is required according to Part 6A of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996.