Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Hazardous Substances Assessments) Amendment Act 2022

1: Title
This Act is the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Hazardous Substances Assessments) Amendment Act 2022.
2: Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
3: Principal Act
This Act amends the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 2022-11-01 Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
1: Main amendments
4: New sections 20B and 20C inserted
After section 20A
20B: Publication of decisions
1: If the Authority makes a decision under Part 5 or 6A in respect of any application (including a request under section 62), the Authority must—
a: give its decision in writing, including reasons for the decision; and
b: give a copy of the decision to the applicant and every person who made a submission; and
c: give public notice of the decision as soon as practicable after the decision is made.
2: The Authority may withhold any information relating to transhipment applications from a public notice under this section if, in its opinion, the information could pose a risk to national safety and security.
20C: Reassessments work plan
1: The Authority must, within 12 months of the commencement of this section, develop a work plan that sets the priorities for reassessments of hazardous substances that are requested by the chief executive of the Authority.
2: When developing or updating a work plan, the Authority must take into account the criteria set out in section 62(2)﻿(a) to (d)
3: The work plan must include—
a: a list of substances or groups of related chemicals or substances to be reassessed; and
b: indicative time frames for the start of work by the Authority to reassess each of the listed substances or groups.
4: The Authority must ensure that the work plan—
a: gives highest priority to the following:
i: hazardous substances that are prohibited from use under section 64:
ii: hazardous substances that are subject to restriction under section 64A
b: is made available, free of charge, on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Authority; and
c: is updated no less than once each calendar year.
5: Section 28A amended (Rapid assessment for importation or manufacture of hazardous substances)
1: After section 28A(2)﻿(a)
ab: the use of the same substance or a substance having a similar composition and similar hazardous properties has been lawfully authorised by an international regulator; or
2: After section 28A(4)
5: An applicant relying on subsection (2)﻿(ab)
6: The Authority must not make a rapid assessment under subsection (2)﻿(ab)
a: significant cultural, economic, environmental, ethical, health, or international effects; or
b: significant effects in an area in which the Authority lacks sufficient knowledge or expertise.
6: Section 53 amended (Applications required to be publicly notified)
Replace section 53(4)
4: The Authority must notify the Minister when it receives an application that—
a: is required to be publicly notified; or
b: the Authority decides to publicly notify.
7: New section 53AA inserted (Notification and consultation for applications under Part 5)
After section 53
53AA: Notification and consultation for applications under Part 5
1: The Authority must, when it receives an application made under a provision in Part 5, notify—
a: any department or Crown entity that, in the opinion of the Authority, is likely to have an interest in the application; and
b: if the application is an application for approval of a new organism,—
i: the Department of Conservation; and
ii: any local authority if, in the opinion of the Authority, the local authority is likely to have an interest in the application; and
c: if the application is an application for approval of a hazardous substance, WorkSafe.
2: Subsections (3) to (6) 63D
3: The Authority may reassess an application under section 63A, 63C, or 63D
4: The Authority must consult in accordance with subsection (5)
a: does not publicly notify an application in accordance with section 53; and
b: considers that the application will have—
i: significant cultural, economic, environmental, ethical, health, or international effects; or
ii: significant effects in an area in which the Authority lacks sufficient knowledge or expertise.
5: The Authority must—
a: do everything reasonably practicable on its part to consult all persons who, in its opinion, are likely to be directly affected by the reassessment; and
b: give those persons a reasonable opportunity to make submissions and comments to the Authority on the reassessment; and
c: consider all submissions and comments received before approving or declining the application.
6: If the Authority is not required to consult by subsection (4)
8: New section 59A inserted (Joint processing and decision making on related applications)
After section 59
59A: Joint processing and decision making on related applications
1: This section applies if—
a: the Authority receives related applications; and
b: at least 1 of the applications is publicly notified in accordance with section 53 or required to be consulted on by section 53AA(4)
c: the Authority considers that decisions on the applications should be made on the same date.
2: The Authority may extend a time period that applies to the processing of the related applications to ensure that—
a: they are heard (if more than 1 application is to be heard) at the same time and place; and
b: decisions on the applications are made on the same date.
3: However, the Authority may not extend the time period beyond the latest date that applies to the related applications.
4: In this section, related applications 2012 No 72 s 44
9: New section 63D inserted (Modified reassessment to align classifications)
After section 63C
63D: Modified reassessment to align classifications
1: Despite anything to the contrary in this Act, the Authority may reassess a hazardous substance in accordance with this section if the Authority is satisfied that—
a: a reassessment of the hazardous substance under section 63 is not appropriate because the reassessment will involve only a specific aspect of the approval; and
b: the amendment is not a minor or technical amendment to which section 67A applies; and
c: the reassessment is necessary to change a hazard classification or control to align with—
i: the equivalent of a hazard classification or control that has been set by an international regulator; or
ii: a hazard classification or control of a related substance that was the subject of an Authority decision after the hazardous substance was approved by the Authority.
2: A reassessment under this section—
a: may vary 1 or more of the following:
i: the EPA controls that attach to a hazardous substance:
ii: the description of a hazardous substance:
iii: the hazard classification of a hazardous substance; but
b: may not revoke an approval given to import or manufacture a hazardous substance under this Act.
3: A reassessment under this section is treated as an application, and sections 53AA
4: The Authority may approve or decline an application for reassessment under this section as it considers appropriate after taking into account—
a: all the effects associated with the reassessment; and
b: the best international practices and standards for the safe management of hazardous substances.
5: Section 65(e) applies, with all necessary modifications, to a reassessment under this section.
6: Sections 77, 77A, and 77B apply to any hazardous substance that is approved under this section and, for the purposes of this section, controls previously imposed under section 77A have effect as other specified controls under that section.
7: This section does not limit the operation of section 77(2)﻿(a)﻿.
8: An applicant relying on subsection (1)﻿(c)﻿(i)
9: The Authority must not reassess a hazardous substance under this section more than once in a 12-month period.
10: New section 64A inserted (Temporary restriction of use during reassessment)
After section 64
64A: Temporary restriction of use during reassessment
1: The Authority may, by notice in the Gazette
a: a decision under section 62(2)
b: the Authority has not approved or declined a reassessment application relating to the decision under section 62(2)
c: the Authority has reasonable cause to believe that there is actual or likely danger to human health or safety or the environment from the use of the substance; and
d: the Authority has consulted the persons who the Authority considers are likely to be directly affected by the restriction of use.
2: The notice—
a: may prohibit the use of a hazardous substance in specified circumstances or places, or by specified classes of persons; but
b: must not prohibit the use of the hazardous substance generally.
3: The notice—
a: must identify the nature of the restriction, including any conditions, on the use of the hazardous substance; and
b: remains in force until the earliest of the following:
i: the date on which the Authority approves or declines a reassessment application relating to the hazardous substance:
ii: the date on which the applicant withdraws a reassessment application relating to the hazardous substance:
iii: the date that is 1 year after the date of notification in the Gazette section 62(2)
4: The Authority must publish the notice on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of the Authority as soon as practicable after the notice has been published in the Gazette
11: New section 76E inserted (Authority may recognise overseas bodies as international regulators)
After section 76D
76E: Authority may recognise overseas bodies as international regulators
1: The Authority may, by notice in the Gazette 63D
2: Before recognising an overseas body, the Authority must—
a: publicly notify its intention to issue the notice; and
b: give interested persons a reasonable time, which must be specified in the notification published under paragraph (a)
c: consult any persons, representative groups within the hazardous substances industry or elsewhere, government departments, WorkSafe, and Crown entities whom the Authority considers appropriate in each case.
3: The Authority must not recognise an overseas body unless the Authority has considered whether—
a: the body operates in a manner comparable to the Authority in regulating hazardous substances; and
b: the legislative regime regulating hazardous substances in which the body operates is comparable to this Act; and
c: the information from the body is readily accessible by the Authority.
4: The Authority may amend a notice made under this section—
a: to recognise, or revoke recognition of, 1 or more overseas bodies as international regulators—
i: in accordance with subsections (1) and (2)
ii: having considered the criteria in subsection (3)﻿(a) to (c)
b: without complying with subsections (2) and (3)
2: Consequential and other amendments
12: Section 2 amended (Interpretation)
1: In section 2(1) EPA notice EPA notice Gazette section 76E
2: In section 2(1) international regulator section 76E related chemicals or substances
13: Section 3A replaced (Transitional and savings provisions relating to amendments to Act)
Replace section 3A
3A: Transitional, savings, and related provisions
The transitional, savings, and related provisions set out in Schedule 7 have effect according to their terms.
14: Section 11 amended (Powers, functions, and duties of Authority)
In section 11(1)﻿(b)﻿(ii) section 103 or 103A
15: Section 19 amended (Delegation by Authority)
1: After section 19(1)﻿(ab)
ac: the issuing of a notice under section 76E
2: After section 19(2)﻿(cb)
cc: the power to decide any application under section 63D section 53AA(4)
16: Section 29 amended (Determination of applications)
Repeal section 29(3)
17: Section 32 amended (Decision on application)
Repeal section 32(3)
18: Section 38 amended (Determination of applications to import or release)
Repeal section 38(5)
19: Section 45 amended (Determination of application)
Repeal section 45(3)
20: Section 48 amended (Determination of applications)
Repeal section 48(3)
21: Section 62 replaced (Grounds for reassessment of a substance or organism)
Replace section 62
62: Grounds for reassessment of substance or organism
1: Any person (including the chief executive of the Authority) may at any time request the Authority to decide whether there are grounds for reassessing any of the following where the organism or substance has previously been assessed by the Authority:
a: any new organism in containment:
b: any conditionally released new organism:
c: any qualifying organism released with controls:
d: any hazardous substance.
2: If a request has been made under subsection (1)
a: that significant new information relating to the effects of the organism or substance has become available; or
b: any change in controls under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015; or
c: that another substance with similar or improved beneficial effects and reduced adverse effects has become available; or
d: that information showing a significant change of use, or a significant change in the quantity manufactured, imported, or developed, has become available; or
e: whether the substance has been included in the reassessments work plan required by section 20C
3: For the purposes of subsection (1) assessed by the Authority
22: Section 63 amended (Reassessment)
Replace section 63(1)
1: Any person (including the chief executive of the Authority) may request the Authority to proceed with a reassessment following a decision under section 62(2)
23: Section 63A amended (Modified reassessment procedure for amendments to approvals of hazardous substances)
1: In section 63A(3) sections 55 to 61 sections 53AA
2: Repeal sections 63A(4) and (5)
24: Section 63C amended (Modified reassessment to change controls in other cases)
1: In section 63C(3) sections 55 to 61 sections 53AA
2: Repeal sections 63C(4) and (5)
25: Section 64 amended (Suspension of approvals during reassessment)
In section 64 a decision to reassess an application to reassess
26: Section 65 amended (No compensation following reassessment)
1: In section 65 section 63, 63A, or 63C section 63, 63A, 63C, or 63D section 64A
2: After section 65(e)
f: imposes a restriction under section 64A
27: Section 68 amended (Minister’s power to call in applications with significant effects)
In section 68(1A) the application is one referred to in section 53 the application is one to which section 53(4)
28: Section 109 amended (Offences)
After section 109(1)﻿(e)﻿(vi)
vii: any restriction imposed on the use of a hazardous substance under section 64A
29: Section 114 amended (Penalties)
1: In section 114(1) paragraph (e) paragraph (da) or paragraph (e)﻿(i) to (vi)
2: After section 114(1)
1A: Every person who commits an offence against section 109(1)﻿(e)﻿(vii)
a: in the case of a natural person, to a fine not exceeding $50,000:
b: in the case of a person other than a natural person, to a fine not exceeding $100,000.
30: Section 137 amended (Emergency powers)
1: In section 137(1)﻿(a) section 103 or section 119 section 103, 103A, or 119
2: In section 137(1)﻿(b) section 103 or 103A
31: Schedule 7 amended
1: Replace the Schedule 7
7: s 3A Transitional, savings, and related provisions
2: In Schedule 7
1: Provisions relating to Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Act 2015
3: In Schedule 7
a: insert the Part set out in the Schedule
b: make all necessary consequential amendments.
4: In Schedule 7