NZ Government Releases Bill for Major Amendments to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO Act) 
On May 11, 2026, the New Zealand Government introduced the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Amendment Bill (government bill) to Parliament. This bill responds to a recommendation by the Ministry of Regulation from its review of agricultural and horticultural products, aiming to modernize the HSNO Act and streamline decision-making processes. The bill passed its first reading in Parliament on May 14, 2026, and was subsequently referred to a select committee. The select committee is required to submit its report, including any recommendations for amendments to the bill, to Parliament by September 16, 2026. In preparation for this report, the select committee opened the public submission process for the bill on May 18, 2026. The deadline for making a submission is June 15, 2026.
The bill represents a comprehensive overhaul consisting of 157 clauses. Key amendments proposed in the bill are summarized below.
Summary of Key Amendments
| Amended/Added Sections | Summary of Content |
|---|---|
| Sections 4 and 38I(3) (Amended) | Expands the definition of a "qualifying organism" to include organisms contained in medical devices. |
| Sections 20D to 20J (Added) | Introduces a requirement for importers and manufacturers of hazardous substances to pay levies, which will be specified in separate regulations. |
| Section 25B (Amended) | Restricts the domestic storage of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), permitting it only when compliant with conditions specified in official notices (secondary legislation) issued by the authority. |
| Section 25C (Amended) and Section 50 (Repealed) | Consolidates relevant provisions regarding prohibited organisms into this section. |
| Part 5A (Added) | Establishes new determination processes and framework for new organisms and specific substances. |
| Sections 27 and 28 (Amended) | Simplifies types of approvals and rapid assessment procedures. This change standardizes application formats and mandates the inclusion of required information as prescribed by regulations. |
| Sections 29A to 29AC (Added) | Adds provisions for temporary approvals (temporary hazardous substance approvals) for the import or manufacture of hazardous substances requiring approval, provided specific conditions are met. |
| Subpart 4 (Added), Section 34B (Added), etc. | Enables applications for the approval of importing or releasing new organisms to be made as a "release without controls." |
| Section 35 | Grants the authority the power to conduct rapid assessments of risks related to the importation of new organisms. |
| Section 51 (Amended) | Revises procedures for hazardous substances or new organisms in transit through New Zealand, making it mandatory to apply for and obtain approval prior to transit. |
| Section 52 (Amended) and Section 52A (Added) | Introduces a completeness check for applications by the authority. An application will only be deemed complete once it satisfies all requirements. |
| Section 60 (Amended) | Modifies the requirements for holding public hearings, allowing them to be waived or expedited under specific conditions. |
| Section 62 (Amended), Section 62A (Added), Section 63 (Amended), etc. | Revises reassessment procedures for approval applications. |
| Section 76, etc. | Expands the authority and regulatory powers of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) regarding notices and controls. |
| Sections 109, 109A, and 109B (Amended) | Revises offenses and penalties and extends the limitation period for filing charging documents. |
In addition to the changes above, other existing provisions have been amended, replaced, consolidated, or repealed to organize and clarify the regulatory framework.
Related URLs
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill
https://legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2026/304/en/latest/#LMS1596552
Make a Submission on the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill (Select Committee)
https://www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/54SCPRIP_SCF_910A20F8-AFC6-40BB-DD16-08DEAEFC95CF/hazardous-substances-and-new-organisms-amendment-bill
