New Zealand
Hazardous Substances Notice 2020

How is GHS implemented
in New Zealand?

New Zealand implements the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Hazardous Chemicals (GHS) through the Hazardous Substances (Hazard Classification) Notice 2020 together with the Hazardous Substances (Safety Data Sheets) Notice 2017 and Hazardous Substances (Labelling) Notice 2017. In this way, it fulfils the objective of protecting human health and the environment in the workplace.

What are the Hazardous Substances Notices 2020?

New Zealand adopted the seventh edition of GHS through the Hazardous Substances (Hazard Classification) Notice 2020. This involved revising the Hazardous Substances Notices 2017 for the preparation of SDSs and labelling.

The Hazardous Substances (Hazard Classification) Notice 2020 came into force on April 30, 2021, requiring both 2017 Hazardous Substances Notices to be updated for SDS preparation and labelling on the same date. A four-year transition period was established, making compliance mandatory from April 30, 2025.

The official body responsible is the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and WorkSafe New Zealand has been introduced to implement it in the workplace.

The general framework for the Hazardous Substances Notices 2020 is the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) 1996. It establishes that the following chemicals in New Zealand are exempt from the law: radioactive products (United Nations Class 7), pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and infectious substances (United Nations Class 6).

What are the most relevant points of the Hazardous Substances Notices 2020?

• Both the SDS and label must be written in English.
• The SDS must have a 16-section format and be revised every 5 years.
  • A toll-free phone number should be available in case of emergency and specify their operation times.
    • In the case of a foreign SDS, the emergency telephone number must also be available 24 hours a day if the substance belongs to any of the following categories: explosives (class 1); oxidizing liquids; oxidizing solids; oxidizing gases; organic peroxides; acute toxicity; skin corrosion/irritation; serious eye damage/eye irritation; respiratory/skin sensitization; aspiration hazard.
    • If it does not fall into any category, the hours of availability of emergency telephone assistance must be indicated.
  • The SDS must include the contact details of the importer/manufacturer and emergency contact in New Zealand and information on HSNO approval or group standard.
• The following hazard categories have not been adopted under the New Zealand GHS: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal and inhalation), category 5; Chemicals under pressure, all categories; Skin corrosion/irritation, category 3; Aspiration hazard, category 2; Acute aquatic toxicity, categories 2 and 3; Ozone depletion, category 1.
  • The following subcategories are optional: Serious eye damage/eye irritation, 2A/2B; Germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity, 1A/1B.
  • The following hazard categories are included in the Hazardous Substances (Hazard Classification) Notice 2020: Hazardous to soil organisms; Hazardous to terrestrial vertebrates; Hazardous to terrestrial invertebrates; Designed for biocidal action.
• The label must contain the following information: product and supplier identification, pictograms, H and P statements, signal words.
  • The label must also include the contact details of the importer/manufacturer and emergency contact details in New Zealand.
  • If the substance is likely to change during storage, the possible date of occurrence must be indicated.

What other chemical regulatory requirements apply in New Zealand?

• The general legal framework for the regulation of chemicals in New Zealand is the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO). This Act came into force in 1996. All hazardous substances manufactured/imported into New Zealand require approval. This can be:
  • Single standard approval: individual products with a single risk.
  • Group standard approval: products that share hazards and uses.

• Manufacturers/importers of the substances listed below must submit an annual report to the EPA on the use of the substances and their quantities: agrochemicals (including commercial and domestic pesticides, veterinary medicines used as parasiticides in large animals); wood treatment chemicals; sap stain chemicals; and anti-fouling paints.

  In any case, as of January 1, 2026, all importers and manufacturers of hazardous substances must provide commercial information about the company and substance on the HSRN portal, even if they have already done so previously, within 30 days of their first manufacture/import.

• The New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals (NZIoC) is a database of individual hazardous chemicals that may be used in products assigned to a group standard. It is updated by the EPA.
• In New Zealand, the Land Transport - Dangerous Goods Standard, in force since June 27, 2005, is based on the 16th edition of the United Nations Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
• Cosmetics are governed by the Cosmetic Products Group Standard 2020, which sets out guidelines on hazardous substances in cosmetic products, their importation and manufacture. The latest amendment has been in force since January 1, 2026, with changes extending until April 2029, including, for example, the extension of the scope of the Group Standard and updates to prohibited, restricted and permitted ingredients.

To ensure compliance with legislation it is important to have an effective tool.

SIAM offers Chemeter, an intuitive and user-friendly software software that automatically generates safety data sheets (SDS), e-FDS, ADR documentation, PCN dossiers and sector-specific documentation in accordance with the requirements of each country. So you can keep your documents up to date and comply with current regulations easily and effectively.

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