Media release
29 November 2002
Hazardous Substances Inquiry Is Unnecessary Duplication
The Minister of Labour's inquiry into workplace chemical use is an unnecessary duplication of existing processes, says
Business NZ.
"With the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act and its associated extensive body of regulations, New Zealand has,
according to the Government, one of the most comprehensive hazardous substances management regimes in the world,"
Business NZ Chief Executive Simon Carlaw said.
"The Environmental Risk Management Agency exists to administer those regulations. If the Minister commissioning the
inquiry believes there are workplace problems she should ask ERMA to investigate the effectiveness of the relevant
regulations. If particular chemicals are considered to be of concern, then the appropriate course of action would be to
ask ERMA to reassess them."
ENDS