Hazardous Substances

There are a number of acts that together regulate the management and the use of agrichemicals.  These include the RMA, The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO), the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997 (ACVM) and the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (HSE). 

The Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997 (ACVM)  deals with the prevention or management of risks from use of agricultural compounds to the trade in primary produce, animal welfare, and agricultural security and contains a focus on the registration conditions for agrichemicals, label information and maximum residue limits.

The purpose of The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO) is to protect the environment, health, and safety of people and communities by preventing or managing adverse effects of hazardous substances. ⁴¹⁶⁴  This is primarily achieved through identifying the hazards of agrichemicals and applying controls to manage any risk that may arise from them. Controls may cover any stage of the life cycle of the substance including manufacturing, transport, storage, use or disposal. The HSNO Act requires a grower to  ensure that persons who handle agrichemicals are competent. Growers using agrichemicals must be compliant with the HSNO Act and under HSNO (Personnel Qualifications) Regulations 2001.  Most agrichemical users have needed to attain Approved Handler certification from a Test Certifier. Many agrichemicals used in horticulture are required to be under the control of an Approved Handler, who is competent and certified to handle hazardous substances and  aware of their legal obligations.

Last updated at 11:04AM on November 27, 2015