Chemical Labeling and SDS Requirements in New Zealand
New Zealand regulates hazardous substances primarily under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO), EPA notices, and workplace rules administered by WorkSafe New Zealand. Chemical hazard communication is built around EPA hazard classifications, labels, packaging, and Safety Data Sheets, with additional duties for workplaces under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017.
SDS Requirements
Importers, manufacturers, and suppliers must ensure that hazardous substances have Safety Data Sheets that meet New Zealand requirements. An SDS must provide information on hazards, safe use, storage, handling, emergency procedures, disposal, and transport, and should be available to workplace users. WorkSafe guidance states that workplaces must have a current SDS for each hazardous substance they hold; SDSs should be reviewed and kept current, with the usual expectation that they are not older than five years.
Consumer Label Requirements
Hazardous substances supplied to consumers must be labelled in accordance with EPA labelling and packaging requirements. Labels should identify the product, communicate the relevant hazard classifications and precautionary information, provide supplier information, and include emergency or first-aid directions where required. Some consumer goods, pesticides, veterinary medicines, cosmetics, and therapeutic-type products may also have sector-specific labelling obligations in addition to hazardous-substance rules.
Workplace Label Requirements
Workplace containers must be labelled and labels must remain attached, legible, and consistent with the hazardous substance classification. WorkSafe notes that additional workplace labelling duties apply, including when substances are decanted from original containers into workplace containers. Employers must also maintain SDS access, train workers, and implement controls for storage, handling, emergency management, and exposure prevention.
Need Help with Compliance?
Nexreg assists manufacturers, importers, and distributors with New Zealand SDS authoring, chemical classification, workplace labeling, consumer labeling, and regulatory compliance. Our regulatory specialists can help simplify market access and keep hazard communication documents aligned with applicable requirements.
