Source: Environmental Protection Authority
27 August 2021
A Decision-making Committee of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has found that grounds exist to reassess the fungicide chlorothalonil, and substances containing it.
Chlorothalonil is used to control diseases on fruit, vegetables, wheat, and turf. It is available for professional and commercial uses, including timber treatment.
Applications relating to two commercial products containing chlorothalonil were declined by the EPA in 2018 and 2021, because of the risks to human health and the environment. In addition to this, the European Union did not renew chlorothalonil’s approval in 2019.
Taking this into account, earlier this year the EPA applied for grounds to reassess chlorothalonil. A Decision-making Committee has now decided grounds for reassessment are established, based on significant new information relating to the effects of the substance.
Establishing grounds is a specific legal requirement that must be met under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, before an application can be made for a substance to be reassessed. A reassessment is a formal review of the rules controlling a substance that is already in use in New Zealand.
The next step is preparation of a reassessment application, which will be formally notified and open for public submissions.
Read the decision on grounds for reassessment (PDF, 190 KB)
Find out about the process for reassessing hazardous substances
