The Global Forum on Environment discussed the challenges posed by chemicals, provided knowledge on effective and sustainable policies for the sound management of chemicals. Together, leading actors in the field of chemicals management promoted effective engagement, collaboration and action on the sound management of chemicals and waste. The speakers included regulators and policy makers in charge of chemical safety in OECD member and partner countries as well as relevant stakeholders from International Governmental Organisations, private industry organisations and companies, civil society, philanthropies and more. During this Session 2.1, the panelists shared their experience and best practices in the risk management of groups of chemicals, e.g. based on the example of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).

1. Risk Management for Groups of Chemicals:
New Zealand’s Group Standards Approach
Peter Dawson
Principal Scientist
Environmental Protection Authority

2. 1
Hazardous Substances & New Organisms Act
(HSNO Act)
 Introduction of all hazardous substances in all sectors regulated in NZ by
HSNO Act – by the EPA
• No hazardous substance shall be imported or manufactured otherwise than
in accordance with a HSNO Approval (HSNO Act section 25)
• Hazard classification and risk assessment
 Hazardous substance
• Broad definition – chemical elements, compounds, mixtures of compounds
• Hazardous property thresholds are those in the UN GHS
 Number of approval routes
• Single substance
• Group standards

3. 2
Group Standards
 An approval for a group of hazardous substances of a similar type,
similar nature, or having similar circumstances of use; such that the risks
of the group can be managed by the one set of controls
 ~ 210 group standards in ~ 36 categories, for example:
• Cleaning products
• Cosmetic products
• Fire fighting chemicals
 Risk and hazard based
 Restrictions on CMRs
 No new single component substances (chemicals) not on NZ Inventory
of Chemicals

4. 3
Group Standards
 Cleaning Products Group Standards
• Automatic dishwashing preparations available to general public must not
have pH > 12.5
• Substances available to general public must not be CMR category 1 or
carcinogen category 2
 Cosmetic Products Group Standard
• Controls (labelling) applicable to exposures expected of cosmetics
• Prohibitions and restrictions on components – taken from EU Cosmetics
Regulations
• ‘must not cause damage to human health when applied under normal or
reasonably foreseeable conditions of use’
 Fire Fighting Chemicals Group Standard
• Currently amending to phase out all PFAS compounds

5. 4
Why are group standards more efficient and effective?
 Industry self-assign products to group standards
• Keep record of assignment showing how substance meets scope, have
record available for inspection
 No need to inform the EPA of assignment of product to group standard
• Only require notification of components not on NZ Inventory of Chemicals
 Flexible, allow for formulation changes without need for a new approval
• As long as product remains within scope of group standard
 Encourages product development and innovation
 Accept labelling from EU, Australia, USA and Canada
 Reduces cost to industry and the government
 Just updated to reflect GHS 7th revised edition

6. For more information contact:
General enquiries
Phone +64 4 916 2426 Fax +64 4 914 0433
info@epa.govt.nz