EPA Notices and Rules
EPA notices contain many of the rules you must follow to safely manage hazardous substances.
Hazardous Substances
Emergency Response Service:
National Poisons Centre: 0800 764 766
Safety Data Sheets: view here
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates many of the rules you must follow to safely manage hazardous substances.
If you are using a hazardous substance in a workplace, you must also consult with WorkSafe New Zealand to ensure you are also meeting its requirements.
There are also rules outlined by the Ministry of Transport when transporting dangerous goods by land which is administered by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and needs to be adhered to.
We also actively support and adhere to the voluntary End User Declaration (EUD) process in collaboration with the New Zealand Police relating to substances identified for potential misuse, ensuring our communities are kept safe against the misuse and manufacturing of drugs.
Hazardous Substances vs Dangerous Goods
A hazardous substance can be any substance, whether solid, liquid or gas, that may cause harm to your health.
Hazardous substances are classified on the basis of their potential health effects, whether acute (immediate) or chronic (long-term).
Dangerous goods may be corrosive, flammable, explosive, spontaneously combustible, toxic, oxidising, or water-reactive. They must be identified in the workplace (and when being transported) by different coloured 'diamond' symbols.
Dangerous goods are classified on the basis of immediate physical or chemical effects, such as fire, explosion, corrosion and poisoning. An accident involving dangerous goods could seriously damage property or the environment.
The key difference is that dangerous goods are substances regulated specifically for transportation due to immediate physical hazards like fire or explosion, while a hazardous substance (or hazardous material/hazmat) is a broader term for any material that can harm people, property, or the environment, with its definition often focusing on health and long-term effects, in addition to physical ones.
Useful Links
EPA
EPA Hazardous Substances
All hazardous substances need approval for use in Aotearoa New Zealand. Is yours approved? Find out, apply for approval, or get advice on using it safely.
Safety Data Sheets
Safety Data Sheets are a legal requirement to hold for all products that are classified as hazardous substances. Please reach out if you require any for products purchased through Linkup.
Hazardous Property Controls (HPC)
Rules (controls) to make sure specific hazardous substances are stored and used safely. This includes substances which can only be supplied to workplaces.
EPA Cutting Lead Levels in Paints
A decision-making committee has decided to amend a series of group standards to reduce the maximum allowable levels of lead impurities in paint.
HSNO Substance Approvals
Information relating to HSNO Substance Approvals and assigning an approval to a substance.
WorkSafe
WorkSafe Hazardous Substances
Information about managing your hazardous substances safely, key regulations and how to become a certified handler. It also contains practical guidance and statutory registers and records.
Hazardous Substances Toolbox
The Hazardous Substances Toolbox has been created to help businesses know how to work safely with hazardous substances. It offers some key health and safety principles and will help you to comply with your responsibilities.
Tracking Hazardous Substances
Some substances are so hazardous they must be tracked at all times. This means a record of what happens to them must be kept, from the date of their manufacture or importation into New Zealand, through to their end use or disposal.
Register of Compliance Certifiers
This register provides information on compliance certifiers authorised by WorkSafe to issue compliance certificates under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017.
Fit Testing
If you wear a close-fitting respirator for work that relies on the face seal to achieve the designed protection, then you need to ensure that your respirator has been properly fit tested. This is a requirement of the standard AS/NZS 1715.
Hazardous Waste & Empty 20L Drums
Most of the rules that apply to managing hazardous substances in the workplace also apply to hazardous waste. Find out what you need to do to keep your workers safe around hazardous waste.
NZTA
MoT Transporting Dangerous Goods
Working in collaboration with the transport regulatory agencies, Ministry of Transport are the stewards of the dangerous goods regulatory system in New Zealand. The system ensures dangerous goods are transported safely and effectively around the world.
NZTA Transporting Dangerous Goods
This web page from NZTA tells you about dangerous goods, what you need to do to be able to carry them, and what you need to know. There are great factsheets outlining what is required for transport for businesses.
Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005
This rule sets requirements for the safe transport of dangerous goods on land in New Zealand.
Transporting Aerosols without Segregation
The "Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005" outlines the requirements for transporting Aerosols with other classes without segregation.
New Zealand Police
NZ Police End User Declaration Form
The "Misuse of Drugs Act 1975" outlines chemicals with potential use in drug manufacturing. We work with the NZ Police to monitor these substances purchased through us.
Aerosol Sale Restrictions
The "Summary Offences Act 1981" prohibits the sale of spraycans to anyone under the age of 18. By choosing to order spray cans from our stores, you are agreeing that you are over the age of 18.
DISCLAIMER:
Please note that Linkup Paint Supplies does not provide legal advice. If you require specific advice or support in relation to compliance with HSNO you may need to engage a specialist consultant or technical advisor or seek your own legal advice.
The Collision Repair Association (CRA) offers a Health & Safety Programme to its members, and Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) also offers a Health and Safety AdviceLine to its members.
The information outlined in the links above are deemed to be correct on the date of publishing.
