New Zealand Bans Three POP Chemicals

SafeGuardSToys and Juvenile Products, Hardgoods, Automotive, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Electrical & Electronics, Personal and Protective Equipment, SoftlinesSeptember 29, 2026

SG 130/26

New Zealand prohibits three persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

In March 2026, New Zealand consulted on a proposal to restrict/prohibit three POP chemicals by amending the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act). The substances are chlorpyrifos, long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), their salts and related compounds, and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs, SafeGuardS 45/26).

On September 10, 2026, New Zealand issued the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Schedules 1AA and 2A) Order 2026 (2026/264, ‘the Order’), amending the nation’s HSNO Act (version as at September 4, 2026).

According to the definitions in the Order:

LC-PFCAs or their salts are a homologous series of substances with the molecular formula of C_nF_2n+1CO₂H (where 8 ≤ n ≤ 20)
LC-PFCA-related compounds means any substance that is a precursor and may transform to LC-PFCAs, where the perfluorinated alkyl moiety has the formula C_nF_2n+1 (where 8 ≤ n ≤ 20) and is directly bonded to any chemical moiety other than a fluorine, chlorine or bromine atom
MCCPs are considered as substances or mixtures when they meet the definition in (i), (ii) or both:
- (i) Linear chloroalkanes with carbon chain lengths in the range C_14-17 and chlorination levels of at least 45% chlorine
- (ii) Linear C_14-17 chloroalkanes of the formulae:
  - C₁₄H_(30-y)Cl_y, where y ≥ 5,
  - C₁₅H_(32-y)Cl_y, where y ≥ 5,
  - C₁₆H_(34-y)Cl_y, where y ≥ 6, or
  - C₁₇H_(36-y)Cl_y, where y ≥ 6

What does this Order require?

Key changes include:

Introducing the following three POP chemicals to Schedules 1AA and 2A of the HSNO Act: i) chlorpyrifos, ii) LC-PFCAs, their salts and related compounds, and iii) MCCPs. Table 1 summarizes the additions to Schedule 2A, including time-limited permitted uses and storage provisions
Updating the time-limited permitted uses or storage provisions of UV-328 in Schedule 2A of the HSNO Act to include a) water-seal tape for insulation blankets and decking on aircrafts and b) polyurethane (PU) and polyamide adhesives and PU coatings for specified aircraft applications.

Substance	Highlights of permitted use or storage	Effective date
LC-PFCAs, their salts and related compounds (does not include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related compounds as listed in this Schedule)	Specified time-limited uses for: Semiconductors for replacement parts under defined conditions Replacement parts for motor vehicles that have ceased mass production in accordance with defined conditions	December 16, 2026
	No expiry date for articles that are present in New Zealand prior to December 16, 2026, in which these substances have been used as additives in any of the following (in applications such as construction, land-based motor vehicles, power equipment, industrial machinery, marine machinery, garden machinery, forestry machinery, medical and analytical equipment and devices, electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), air conditioning and heat pumps): i) sealants, ii) paints, iii) coatings, iv) inks, v) textiles, vi) photographic materials, vii) lubricants, viii) paper and paperboard, ix) plastics and rubbers, x) cables and wires, and xi) semiconductors	December 16, 2026
MCCPs (unintentional trace contaminants of MCCPs in products or articles are POPs if the total concentration of linear C_14-17 chloroalkanes of any molecular formulae in point (ii) of the definition mentioned above, in substances in those products or articles is more than 3%)	Specified time-limited uses for flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in: Construction sector (including maintenance of buildings and other structures), wire and cables in the construction sector, wire and cables in medical devices and in-vitro diagnostic devices and calendered films in the packaging field (excluding food packaging) Flexible elastomeric foam for thermal insulation Adhesives and sealants for defined applications Fat-liquoring component in leather, except in children’s products Polymers and rubbers used in repair and replacement parts, if that use is in accordance with paragraph 7 of Part XIII of Annex A of the Stockholm Convention	December 16, 2026
	No expiry date for articles that are present in New Zealand prior to December 16, 2026, in which these substances have been used as additives in any of the following (in applications such as construction, land-based motor vehicles, power equipment, industrial machinery, marine machinery, garden machinery, forestry machinery, medical and analytical equipment and devices, aerospace, defense, EEE, air conditioning and heat pumps): i) adhesives, ii) sealants, iii) paints, iv) coatings, v) textiles and leather, vi) elastomeric foam, vii) plastics and rubbers, viii) cables and wires and ix) pyrotechnic devices.	December 16, 2026
Chlorpyrifos	None	July 8, 2027

Table 1. The Order amending Schedule 2A of the HSNO Act

Who is impacted?

Stakeholders across multiple industries and supply chains are affected, including manufacturers, users, importers and exporters of these POP substances, as well as products that contain or are contaminated by them.

When does it apply?

The Order will be implemented in phases, starting October 9, 2026.

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