Hazardous Substances
A hazardous substance can be defined as any substance with one or more of the following hazardous properties:
- explosiveness
- flammability
- oxidising capacity
- corrosiveness
- toxicity
- eco-toxicity and
- New Organisms.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is an independent body established under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996. EPA's role is to assess the environment and health risks for any given hazardous substance (as defined above) and to put robust controls in place to make sure that all assessed risks are managed.
EPA maintains a public register of all approved hazardous substances - including the controls for each substance - and produces guidance documents and other resources for dealing with hazardous substances.
The Council's Environmental Health Officers (EHO) can assist you if you have any concerns or questions about any potential hazardous substances. The EHO may direct your inquiry to the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) if necessary.
| Ministry for the Environment (MfE) | Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) |
Phone (04) 917-7400 The MfE Website PO Box 10326, Wellington 6143 | Phone (04) 473-8426 PO Box 131, Wellington 6140 |