G/TBT/N/NZL/112  
10 May 2022  
(22-3648) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  NEW ZEALAND  
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:   
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)  
Level 10, Grant Thornton House  
215 Lambton Quay  
Private Bag 63002, Waterloo Quay  
Wellington 6140  
New Zealand  
Ph +64 4 916 2426  
Email reassessments@epa.govt.nz  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
Standards New Zealand  
Ph +64 4 49 8 5990  
wto@standards.co.nz  
www.standards.govt.nz   
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [  ], 5.6.2 [  ], 5.7.1 [  ], 3.2 [  ], 7.2 [  ], 
other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  This 
notification relates to the active ingredient hydrogen cyanamide (CAS No 420 -04-2) and 
one hydrogen cyanamide -containing substance (marketed as six different commercial 
products).  
The HSNO  approval numbers for the substances affected by the proposal are HSR002949 
(hydrogen cyanamide) and HRC000001 (soluble concentrate containing 520 -540 g/L 
hydrogen cyanamide).  
The CS Number is 420 -04-2. 
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the not ified document:  Application 
(APP203974) for a reassessment under section 63 and 63A of the HSNO Act. The 
application includes the following 7 documents:  
· Completed application form, 19 pages, in English  
· EPA application report hydrogen cyanamide reassess ment, 63 pages, in English  
· Appendix B EPA science memo, 19 pages, in English  
· Appendix C Māori impact assessment report, 15 pages, in English  G/TBT/N/NZL/112  
 
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  · Appendix D Economics assessment report, 31 pages, in English  
· Appendix E WorkSafe advice report, 10 pages, i n English  
· Appendix F Analysis of risks and practical control measures, 10 pages, in English  
https://www.epa.govt.nz/database -search/hsno -application -register /view/APP203974 ; 
(167 page(s), in English)  
6. Description of content:  An application (APP203974) for a reassessment under section 
63 and 63A of the HNSO Act.  
Hydrogen cyanamide is a plant -growth regulator used to promote 'bud -break' in the 
production of kiwifruit. It is also applied to a lesser extent for the same purpose in some 
apple, cherry, apricot, and kiwiberry crops.  
New information on the effects of hyd rogen cyanamide led to reassessment grounds being 
established under section 62 of the HSNO Act in September 2019. The new information 
included the human health and environmental risk assessments undertaken by the 
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The EFSA review, other assessments published 
by regulatory authorities in the United States (US) and the Europe Union (EU), and risk 
assessments provided by stakeholders, have been used to inform the EPA's current 
assessment of risks and benefits of hydrogen c yanamide use in New Zealand.  
Based on its preliminary assessment, the EPA is recommending that current approvals for 
hydrogen cyanamide be declined, and the substance no longer be approved. The EPA is 
proposing that hydrogen cyanamide be phased out over fi ve years, with tighter controls 
taking immediate effect after the final decision on the reassessment  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Protection of human health or safety; Protection of the environment  
8. Relevant documents:   
• General information regarding the EPA's reassessment of hydrogen cyanimide is 
available at the links below: https://www.epa.govt.nz/public -consultations/in -
progress/hydrogen -cyanamide -reassessment/  
• The related application documents listed above are available a t the following link: 
https://www.epa.govt.nz/database -search/hsno -application -
register/view/APP203974  
9. Proposed date of adoption:  The hearing of the applic ation is scheduled to commence 
on 5 December 2022 and the EPA is required to publicly notify its decision not later than 
30 working days after the conclusion of the hearing. The decision is therefore likely to be 
notified in early 2023.  
The Decision -Making  Committee will determine the outcome of the reassessment 
including any entry into force dates.  
Proposed date of entry into force:  To be determined  
10. Final date for comments:  60 days from notification  G/TBT/N/NZL/112  
 
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  11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)  
Level 10, Grant Thornton House  
215 Lambton Quay  
Private Bag 63002, Waterloo Quay  
Wellington 6140  
New Zea land 
Ph +64 4 916 2426  
Email: reassessments@epa.govt.nz  
www.epa.govt.nz