Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill introduced to Parliament
The Government introduced the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill (HSNO Amendment Bill) to Parliament on 11 May 2026.
The Bill proposes targeted amendments to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act).
The Act provides the legislative framework for managing hazardous substances and new organisms in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The proposed amendments are aimed at improving how the HSNO regulatory system operates while maintaining its core purpose of protecting human health and the environment.
Changes to the Act were considered following regulatory stewardship work, including the Agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review led by the Ministry for Regulation. The review identified opportunities to:
- modernise regulatory tools and processes
- improve efficiency, clarity, and consistency in decision‑making
- ensure the system remains responsive to changing risks, technologies, and regulatory needs.
More information on the Review is available on the Ministry for Regulation website.
Parliamentary information
Read the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill (New Zealand Legislation).
Read information about the HSNO Amendment Bill and its legislative process (New Zealand Parliament).