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Consultation on a Proposed Prohibition on the Importation of 
Asbestos -containing Products  
The Government is currently considering making regulations to prohibit  the importation of 
asbestos -containing products  (ACPs)  into New Zealand . 
As part of this process, the Ministry for the Environment is carrying out targeted consultation 
with industry groups  and businesses  that we understand may be currently using ACPs and  
may therefore  be directly affected by a prohibition.  We are seeking your feedback on the 
likely impact of a prohibition on your business or industry.  
Asbestos is a recognised carcinogen, poses risks of respiratory disease and is a leading 
cause of work -related disease and mortality.  In recognition of this risk, importing raw 
asbestos into New Zealand is not permitted under the Hazardous Substances and New 
Organisms Act 1996. However this restr iction does not extend to ACPs.  
A prohibition would only impact on products being imported  into the country. Existing 
products and structures that may contain asbestos would not be affected. The risks posed 
by existing ACPs would continue to be managed by existing legislation, primarily through 
Health and Safety in Employment (Asbestos ) Regulations 19981.  
In 2014 t he Ministry for the  Environment commissioned research into New Zealand’s import 
and export of ACPs (the report can be found on the Ministry’s website: 
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/hazards/inventory -new-zealand -imports -and-exports -
asbestos -containing -products ). This resea rch indicated that only small volumes of ACPs are 
being imported into New Zealand and that there are viable non -asbestos alternatives for 
most products.  However there w ere reports of ACP  use in the marine, aviation and electricity 
generation and supply ind ustries.  
The Ministry is now seeking further information from those who have indicated that they 
have ongoing use for ACPs, in order to gain a fuller picture of the impact that a prohibition 
might have. Specifically , we are looking for  feedback  on: 
1. the volume of ACPs being imported  by individual businesses ; 
2. the specific products that are being imported ; 
3. how necessary these products are to industry ; 
4. the availability of non -asbestos alternative products ; and  
5. the cost of alternative products, compared to AC Ps currently being imported  or used . 
Please provide information on the points above as they relate to your business.  
                                                           
1 Note that the se regulations are currently being revised as part of the ongoing health and safety reforms. 
Details can be found at: http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info -services/employment -skills/workplace -health -and-
safety -reform/development -of-regulations -to-support -the-new -health -and-safety -at-work -act    
 
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This information will be used to inform the Government’s decisions on whether to proceed 
with a prohibition on ACPs and, if so, on how this  prohibition would be implemented. The 
more feedback that is provided will enable  the Ministry to establish a more complete  picture 
of the overall impact of a prohibition and allow for the Government to make a more fully 
informed decision.  
Please provide your feedback by 30 September 2015  to: 
Alastair Shelton  
Senior Policy Analyst, Environmental Risk and Innovation  
Ministry for the Environment   
PO Box 10362  
Wellington 6143  
alastair.shelton@mfe.govt.nz  
Phone : 04 439 7758