Import Health Standard for  
Inorganic Risk Materials  
from Any Country  
Short Name: MAF-STD-IRM 
 
Issuing Authority 
This IHS is issued in accordance with section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act).  It 
revokes, replaces and extends the scope of “BNZ-STD-SCRAPMETAL: Impo rt Health Standard 
for Scrap Metal from All Countries (2007).  It also incorporates and revokes MAF IHS  - 
Containerised Used Asbestos Impo rted for Disposal or Destruction (2010). 
  Dated this seventeenth day of August 2011 
 
  
 
    
 
   
Mary Western 
Director, New Zealand Standards  Standards Branch Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) (Issued under delegated authority)  Version number: 1.0  
 
MAF-STD-IRM:- IHS for Inorganic Risk Materials fr om Any Country – 17 August 2011 Page 1 of 6 The Import Health Standard (IHS) 
1.        Scope 
This IHS states the minimum legal requirements th at must be met at the port of first arrival 
(POFA) and at transitional facilities (TFs) when importing Inorganic Risk Materials (IRMs) into 
New Zealand (NZ). 
 
2.   Introduction  A biosecurity clearance, pursuant to section 26  of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act), may only 
be issued when IRMs meet the requirements of this IHS.  IRMs covered by this IHS include the following categories (but are not limited to):- (a). cullet (broken or whole glass items for recycling); (b). industrial residues, sweepings and waste (IRSW) for precious metal recovery; (b). material specifically permitted to enter NZ for destruction/disposal
 (see Appendix 1); 
(c). scrap metal (for recycling); (d). used (risk items) parts (for recycling or re-use)
‡; and 
(e). used vehicle batteries (for reconditioning or recycling).  
Note:  Agricultural/forestry machinery parts, break bulk items (unable to be containerised) and 
used vehicle parts are excluded and not covered by this standard.  ‡Risk item parts may have 
been associated with, or contaminated by bios ecurity risk material (animal or plant material). 
 3.   Non-Compliance 
IRMs that do not meet the requirements of this IHS will not be provided with biosecurity clearance under the Act and will be directed by  a MAF Inspector as per section 122 of the Act 
for further action (as may be appropriate).    4. Biosecurity Requirements 
All containers of IRMs must be clean and fr ee of regulated biosecurity contaminants 
and pests (or meet the threshold specified under Section 8.1).  
 
4.1 Mandatory Treatment and Inspection Requirements 
Category Treatment POFA or T/F Inspection Requirements
Cullet (broken/whole glass 
items for recycling) ** Fumigation or heat treatment at POFA within 12 hours of arrival  Must begin within 4 hours of unloading at the TF unless another system  for biosecurity risk 
management is approved. 
IRSW (for precious metal recovery) Must be stored in quarantine area at TF until incinerated or treated as 
per approved MAF treatment. Must arrive at POFA in sealed packaging, 
inspection on arrival by MAF unless another 
system for biosecurity risk management is 
approved. 
Material permitted to enter NZ for destruction or 
disposal (such as Asbestos) See Appendix 1: Section 3. 6–sided in spection at the POFA.  See Appendix 
1: Section 3. 
Scrap metal **  Fumigation or heat treatment at 
POFA within 12 hours of arrival Must commence within 4 hours of unloading at the TF. 
Used batteries (from 
vehicles)**  
 Fumigation/heat treatment at 
POFA within 12 hours of arrival or 
at the TF within 12 hours of arrival Must begin within 4 hours of unloading at the 
TF unless another system  for biosecurity risk 
management is approved. 
Used parts (risk items)‡ Not mandatory unless 
contaminants or pests are found 
during inspection Must begin within 4 hours of unloading at the 
TF unless another system  for biosecurity risk 
management is approved. 
** Unless prior written agreement has been received fr om MAF permitting pre-ex port treatment or another 
inspection regime. 
 
 
 
MAF-STD-IRM:- IHS for Inorganic Risk Materials fr om Any Country – 17 August 2011 Page 2 of 6 4.1.1 Water as a Contaminant  
After fumigation, any unidentified water (liquid) contaminants (in bottles, drums, jars or tanks 
etc) that could contain related pests (for exam ple, mosquitoes) must be chemically treated 
(unless another destruction method is approved by MAF such as immediate heat treatment or 
destruction in a furnace or smelter). Note : Full specifications for chemical treatment, 
fumigation and heat treatment are found in MAF Standard: Approved Biosecurity Treatments for Risk Goods Directed for Treatment (BNZ-STD-ABTRT) - http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/regs/stds/bnz-std-abtrt.pdf  4.1.2 Scrap Metal Consignments made up of  “As-New” Off-Cuts or Uncontaminated 
Material After treatment, no further inspection is requi red for “as-new”/uncontaminated scrap metal 
off-cuts where the MAF Inspector is satisfied on the basis of door inspection, importation history, certification or objective evidence that  the material is uncontaminated.  Importers 
should advise MAF in advance of the nature of these consignments.  However, MAF may still 
fully inspect (or audit) consignments at any time.    5. Prohibited Imports of IRMs Consignments of IRMs (less than a container lo ad) inside mixed consignment containers (for 
example, intended to be imported as “freight of all kinds” or as personal effects) and on flat-
rack containers, open sided or open top containers and pallets are prohibited
 from entering 
NZ.  If these consignments arrive at the NZ border they may be held, re-shipped to origin (at the importer’s expense) or treated unless prior written agreement has been provided by MAF 
permitting importation of one of the above ca tegories (on a consignment by consignment 
basis).  6. Biosecurity Information Requirements  Information relating to IRM consignments m ust be received by MAF prior to arrival (see 
Annex 1: Section 2).  This includes: (1). Commodity type. (2). Port of origin. (3). Shipment details (for example vessel, consignee, consig nor, container number, treatment certification [if 
conducted offshore and permitted by MAF]). 
 
7. TF Requirements 
No person is permitted to open or unload IRM consignments until notification of MAF directions has been received at the TF or the TF  Operator has specific authority from MAF to 
do so.    8. Detection and Management of Bi osecurity Pests and Contaminants 
Detection of biosecurity contaminants or pests on containers may result in mandatory cleaning 
or treatment at the POFA or further MAF acti on.  Other biosecurity contaminants and pests 
(see Definitions) found during inspection or check ing of unloading by an Accredited Person 
(AP) must be placed in a quarantine bin imme diately and MAF notified as soon as possible. 
When live organisms (for example, egg masses or live insects) are found they must be secured 
and MAF notified immediately ( call 0800 80 99 66) .   
 8.1 Threshold Levels for Biosecurity Contaminants and Other Contaminants 
The permitted threshold levels for regulated biosecurity contaminants found with IRM consignments are as follows.  Finds at or below threshold levels are considered to be compliant with this IHS.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
MAF-STD-IRM:- IHS for Inorganic Risk Materials fr om Any Country – 17 August 2011 Page 3 of 6  
Regulated Biosecurity/Other Contaminant Type Per IRM Consignment 
Animal material or by-products (biosecurity risk material)1 Prohibited 
Arthropods &  Molluscs - dead (biosecurity risk material) 1 Unlimited permitted 
Plant material – dead/desiccated (biosecurity risk material)2  5 pieces (<20 cm) are permitted only 
Plant material - fresh/green including seeds (biosecurity risk material)2 Prohibited 
Dust /Gravel/film/Sand (including no biosecu rity risk material) Unlimited permitted 
Soil (risk material) 20 grams only permitted 
Water Prohibited unless treated on arrival 
Wood Prohibited unless ISPM 15 compliant 
1. See Biosecurity Contaminants and Pests (Definitions ).  2.  Includes fruit, leaves, twigs, bark, etc 
 
9.  Audit Inspection Regimes for Compliant Importers 
Where there is a demonstrated history of good comp liance in importing IRMs consignments (any type), 
an importer may apply to MAF (Biosecurity Oper ational Standards and Sy stems [BOSS] Team) for 
inclusion in an audit inspection system where ther e is a reduced MAF inspection regime.  The following 
table specifies the reduced audit inspection regime for approved importers. 
 
High Regulatory Interest IRM Consignment Audit Inspection Regime 
Number of containers inspected by MAF Total Container Numbers Imported per Level 
1 random container in 5 imported For the fi rst 50 containers imported after acceptance 
1 random container in 10 imported For the next 40 (after the initial 50) 
1 random container in 20 impo rted On an ongoing basis. 
 
Where a mandatory treatment of IRMs is required and further industrial processing occurs that 
reduces biosecurity risk to an extremely low le vel (for example, chemical processing or 
smelting) MAF may not require further inspection after determination that the process used is 
effective.  Further information is  available from the local MAF office or by contacting the MAF 
BOSS Team. 
 
10.  Equivalence Any stakehol
der or organisation may request that a MAF Chief Technical Officer considers a 
system, process or set of procedures that is di fferent to those specified in this document but 
still achieves the biosecurity outco me(s) set by the IHS for IRMs.  Please contact MAF via the 
contact details provided to pursue this option. 
 
11.  Costs Where a check for containerised IRMs is carried out by an AP on behalf of a stakeholder 
, MAF 
charges are not incurred.  Inspections and other functions undertaken by MAF will be charged 
as per the current Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations . 
 
12. Definitions  Terms that are defined in the Act have their meanings set out in that document.  For the purposes of this IHS and attachment s the following definitions apply:  
Accredited Person (AP) A person who has attended and passed a course in basic biosecurity awareness associated with imported sea containers and container checking, and has been accredited to conduct certain 
checks under this standard. An accredited person may be the TF Operator or staff member of a transitional facility, a stevedore, port company st aff or a private contractor. Note: Accreditation 
must be current. 
Biosecurity Contaminants and Pests  
Animals (including insects or other invertebrates that are alive or dead, in any life cycle stage, 
including egg casings), material of animal orig in (including blood, bones, excretions, hair, 
MAF-STD-IRM:- IHS for Inorganic Risk Materials fr om Any Country – 17 August 2011 Page 4 of 6 feathers, flesh, secretions), other organic materia l (including fungi), plants or plant products 
(being viable or non-viable including bark, fruit, leaves, roots, seeds, twigs, wood), soil or water 
where these are not the manifested cargo being imported.  
Check  
A visual examination by an Accredited Person (A P) to detect the presence of biosecurity pests 
and contamination when handling containers or ot her cargo.  Such a check must be carried out 
during the routine handling and movement of c ontainers.  Checks may also be conducted by 
APs when operating audit inspection regimes for scrap metal (as authorised by MAF and as per regular AP training). Container  
A shipping (sea freight) container built to specifications promulgated by the International 
Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), or a similar structure. For the purposes of this 
standard, a container is a standard; fully enclosed shipping container of all metal construction (may have a wooden floor). Inorganic Risk Materials (IRMs)  
Containerised consignments of inorganic (not of anim al or plant origin), used (not new) articles.  
For example, glass for recycling, scrap metal (exclud ing car parts or industrial or vehicular/ or 
machinery parts), used non-risk or ri sk parts or used vehicle batteries. 
Inspection A visual examination by a MAF Inspector to detect the presence of biosecurity pests and 
contaminants associated with consignments or  shipping containers.  An inspection may not 
require magnification but may require  additional lighting if required.  
 13.  Reference Standards 1. MAF standard - Importing Wood Packaging Material from All Countries - 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/forests /standards/no
 n-viable-forest-produce/wood-
packaging-ihs.htm  
2. Standard for General Transitional Fac ilities for Uncleared Goods (TF Gen) - 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/border/transitional-facilities/bnz-std-tfgen  
3. The Import Health Standard for Sea Containers from All Countries - http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/non-organic/standards/seaco.htm
 
4. Import Health Standard for Vehicles, Machinery and Tyres. 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/ihs/vehicle-all.pdf  
 
14.  Contact Details 
For all matters relating to the interpretation,  review and amendment of this Import Health 
Standard (IHS), please contact: 
Biosecurity Operational Standards and Systems (BOSS) Team – Inorganic Risk Materials 
MAF  P.O Box 2526, Wellington 6011 New Zealand Phone 64 4 894 0233  Email: standards@maf.govt.nz
 
 For all matters relating to the amendment, inter pretation, operation or review of this IHS, 
including audits, inspections and treatments, please contact the local MAF office or the BOSS Team (as above).     
MAF-STD-IRM:- IHS for Inorganic Risk Materials fr om Any Country – 17 August 2011 Page 5 of 6 MAF-STD-IRM:- IHS for Inorganic Risk Materials fr om Any Country – 17 August 2011 Page 6 of 6                                                 Appendix 1 to the IHS for Inorganic Risk Materials from any Country: 
Containerised Used Asbestos Import ed for Disposal or Destruction 
 
This Appendix outlines the minimum requireme nts that must be met when importing used 
asbestos in containers for destruction.  This Appendix does not negate or override any other 
rules, regulations or law covering the importation and destruction of used asbestos1.  It is the 
responsibility of the importer to comply with all relevant requirements.  
 Notes:  1. This Appendix covers importation of used asbestos (and packaging) and the container carrying it.   
2. Used asbestos is not a biosecurity risk item. However it has been identified that the conditions of use and storage prior to export and the mechanism of transport warranted its 
inclusion in an IHS to manage regulated biosecurity risks associated with this material.   
3. The used asbestos will not receive biosecurity clearance until it has been managed in such a way to negate any biosecurity risks.  
4. If the used asbestos is being imported for processing and re-export, the importer must show MAF how the potential bios ecurity risks will be managed. 
 
1.  Introduction and Management under the Act One of the preconditions for issue of a biosecurity clearance, (pursuant to the Act - Section 26), is that a MAF inspector must be satisfied that the relevant requirements of the IHS for IRMs 
and this Appendix have been met.  For full cleara nce criteria refer to Act Sections - 27 and 28.  
 2. Non-Compliances  See Section 2 of this IHS (page 2). 
 
3. Treatment Requirements (on arrival or prior to shipment) VCE2 or VC
E4b treatment is mandatory (r efer to MAF Standard: BNZ-STD-ABTRT).  
(a.) Treatment must be completed within 12 hours of discharge (for treatment on arrival; 
(b). Containers must be enclosed in an impervious cover during the duration of fumigation  (if fumigation occurs on arrival in NZ); and  (c). If fumigation occurs prior to shipment, a fumigation certificate must be presented to MAF 
as part of the required importation documentation.    4. Inspection at port of arrival Containers must be externally inspected by MA F inspectors (6-sided inspection) before being 
permitted to leave the POFA.  Non-compliant cont ainers will be held and treated at the POFA. 
 
5. Disposal Any disposal method must isolate the used asbe stos to avoid the spread of any biosecurity 
contaminants (for example, deep burial is c onsidered acceptable).  The importer must notify 
MAF of the desired method of disposal before importation when documentation is submitted.  MAF will decide if submitted methods are a cceptable to manage any biosecurity risks
2.  
If the container is intended to be reused it must be cleaned as per the Asbestos Management Guidelines and any waste product from inside the container disposed of accordingly.  
 
1 Imports of waste asbestos are controll ed internationally under the Basel Conven tion on the Transboundary Movement of 
Hazardous Wastes.  The Ministry of Econom ic Development is the Competent Authorit y for New Zealand and determines whether 
consent will be issued or not under the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohi bition Order No 2 2004.  Importing hazardous wa ste 
without consent from MED is an offence under the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Act 1988. 
2 MAF considers that the disposal method listed on the permit issued by the NZ Ministry of Economic Development [as the 
Competent Authority for New Zealand] would usually be sufficient to meet MAF requirements for disposal.