Source: Environmental Protection Authority
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has increased hazardous substances decision-making, completing 66 application assessments in 2025/26, the highest annual total since 2018/19.
“We’ve lifted the throughput of hazardous substances assessments, and improving our performance in this area remains a key priority,” says General Manager Hazardous Substances and New Organisms, Dr Fernando Torres-Vélez.
During 2025/26, the EPA reduced the number of applications awaiting assessment by 36.5 percent from 96 to 61, a net reduction of 35. In the year, 66 decisions were made, 11 applications were withdrawn, and 42 new applications were lodged.
The number of applications awaiting assessment has halved since 1 July 2024 when it was 121.
“The progress we’ve made this year builds on last year and gives us confidence that we are heading in the right direction.
“Our focus has been on making practical improvements that support access to innovative products while maintaining robust regulatory oversight.
“The number of assessments continues to increase as staff onboarded over the past year take on complex applications,” says Dr Torres-Vélez.
We continue to maintain momentum in processing containment applications, with nine decided.
The use of rapid assessments also continued to grow, with 51 applications decided through this pathway, the highest since 2015/16.
“The increased use of rapid assessments reflects our commitment to ensuring assessments are proportional to the risks posed, while enabling timely decisions where appropriate,” says Dr Torres-Vélez.
The EPA also continued to support applicants to use international regulatory pathways. Seven applications were approved using this pathway in 2025/26, up from five in 2024/25.
Providing faster access to innovative products remains a top priority, and we’ve continued to strengthen our performance in this area. We decided two Category C applications in the fourth quarter. During 2025/26, we approved six complex Category B and Category C applications.
The ambitious targets set for 2025/26 and 2026/27 are making inroads into reducing the number of applications awaiting assessment.
A further seven Category B and C applications were received in the fourth quarter, expanding the complex assessment pipeline and positioning the EPA to deliver more decisions in 2026/27.
“The EPA has committed to completing at least nine higher-complexity applications in the next financial year.
“The momentum we’ve built over the past year is encouraging. Our team continues to drive progress, and I’m confident we’ll deliver even stronger results in the year ahead,” says Dr Torres-Vélez.
The EPA is also making operational enhancements to ensure its processes are fit for purpose ahead of amendments to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. These include changes to technology, processes, and greater transparency on progress with applications.
Read the Hazardous substances quarterly report (https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/RecordsAPI/Hazardous-Substances-Quarterly-Report-1-April-to-30-June-2026.pdf)