3. Background

Asked to improve workability of HSNO

The hazardous substances provisions of HSNO have been operating since July 2001. An independent assessment undertaken by BC Environmental in 2002¹ concluded that HSNO is innovative and reflects international trends in the management of hazardous substances. This assessment has generally been supported by stakeholders from industry, business, local and central government.

However a number of “teething problems” and systemic problems have been identified that affect the Act’s workability.²

The Chief Executive of the Ministry for the Environment has asked that a strategy be developed to improve the workability of the hazardous substances provisions of HSNO.

1. The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, BC Environmental, 17 December 2002 p1

2. These have been identified by the BC Environmental assessment of HSNO, letters to the Minister for the Environment, case studies from industry, and through ERMA’s own experience in working with the Act.

Process applied to develop the strategy

The Ministry and ERMA formed a small group with knowledge and experience in hazardous substance management to help develop the strategy. The group met three times to consider the short-term and long-term actions that would impact on workability and to make recommendations to the Chief Executive of the Ministry for the Environment. The group included: Ross Hore, BASF Chemicals; Wayne Koedyk, EKA Chemicals; Tony Haggerty, ERMA; John Hutchings, Local Government New Zealand; Peter Whitehouse, Business New Zealand; Helen Atkins, Resource Management Law Association; Jack Richardson, AGCARM; and Barry Dyer, Chemical Industry Council.