SG 045/26
New Zealand holds consultation on proposed restriction of three persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
In May 2025, the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (the Convention, SC COP-12) added three chemicals to Annex A (elimination) of the convention, with specific exemptions:
- Chlorpyrifos (SC-12/9)
- Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs, SC-12/10). These are chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14-17 and with chlorination levels of at least 45% chlorine by weight
- Perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts and LC-PFCA-related compounds ((LC-PFCAs, SC-12/12). These are members of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) class of chemicals, including substances with C9-21 carbon chain lengths, but excluding perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds, which are listed separately in Annex A to the Convention
As a signatory to the Convention, New Zealand fulfills its obligations under this global treaty through the nation’s Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act, version as at April 5, 2025). Schedule 2A of the HSNO Act includes the POP chemicals that are subject to obligations in the Convention, along with any specific exemptions that apply. Schedule 1AA of the HSNO Act includes the full text of the Convention.
In March 2026, the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA, Te Mana Rauhi Taiao in Māori) launched a consultation over the proposed restriction/prohibition of the three POP chemicals mentioned above by adding them to Schedules 1AA and 2A of the HSNO Act.
Key highlights of the description and uses of these three POPs in the proposal are summarized in Table 1.
| Item | Substance | Description and uses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chlorpyrifos |
|
| 2 | MCCPs¹ |
|
| 3 | LC-PFCAs¹ |
|
¹Contains time-limited exemptions for specific uses | ||
Table 1
This proposal also seeks feedback on the amended listing of UV-328 in Annex A, including a specific exemption relating to aircraft (SC-12/14).
Comments will be accepted until April 17, 2026.
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