Growsafe NZ Agrichemical Legislation (HSNO Act) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of the HSNO Act's 'test certification' requirement for certain agrichemical equipment?
- To ensure that equipment used to contain or apply hazardous substances meets safety standards (Correct answer)
- To certify that the operator has completed GrowSafe training
- To verify that the agrichemical has been stored correctly
- To confirm that the label has been read and understood by the operator
Correct answer: To ensure that equipment used to contain or apply hazardous substances meets safety standards
Test certification under the HSNO Act ensures that containers, storage units, and equipment used with hazardous substances are fit for purpose and meet prescribed safety standards.
Question 2: Which HSNO Act requirement applies to the disposal of unwanted or expired agrichemicals?
- They must be disposed of in accordance with the label instructions and applicable controls — not poured down drains or dumped on land (Correct answer)
- They may be buried on farm if in small quantities
- They may be rinsed out and placed in general waste bins
- They may be freely donated to neighbouring properties without restriction
Correct answer: They must be disposed of in accordance with the label instructions and applicable controls — not poured down drains or dumped on land
Agrichemicals must be disposed of correctly to prevent environmental contamination. The label and EPA controls specify disposal methods — improper disposal is an offence.
Question 3: Under the HSNO Act, what is a 'group standard' for agrichemicals?
- A standard that approves a group of substances with similar hazardous properties under a single set of controls (Correct answer)
- A minimum training standard for agrichemical applicators
- A standard operating procedure developed by an industry group
- A set of standards for the grouping of agrichemicals by crop type
Correct answer: A standard that approves a group of substances with similar hazardous properties under a single set of controls
A group standard is an EPA instrument that approves a category of similar hazardous substances under shared controls, avoiding the need for individual approvals for each specific formulation.
Question 4: What does the HSNO Act classification system indicate about an agrichemical?
- The type and degree of hazard the substance poses, such as toxicity, flammability, or environmental risk (Correct answer)
- The crop types the agrichemical may be applied to
- The maximum application rate per hectare
- The price category of the product
Correct answer: The type and degree of hazard the substance poses, such as toxicity, flammability, or environmental risk
The HSNO classification system assigns hazard classifications to substances based on their properties — such as acute toxicity, environmental hazard, and flammability — informing handling and storage requirements.
Question 5: Under the HSNO Act, what are 'controls' in relation to agrichemicals?
- The legally binding requirements for how a hazardous substance may be used, stored, transported, and disposed of (Correct answer)
- Voluntary guidelines recommended by the industry
- Physical containment barriers in storage facilities
- Maximum residue limits set by MPI for food safety
Correct answer: The legally binding requirements for how a hazardous substance may be used, stored, transported, and disposed of
Controls under the HSNO Act are the legally binding requirements attached to the approval of a hazardous substance. They specify what must be done to manage the substance safely throughout its lifecycle.
Question 6: What is the role of the Resource Management Act 1991 in relation to agrichemical use?
- It regulates environmental effects of agrichemical use such as spray drift onto neighbours' land and waterway contamination (Correct answer)
- It is the primary legislation for approving agrichemicals
- It sets maximum residue limits for agrichemicals in food
- It regulates the import of agrichemicals from overseas
Correct answer: It regulates environmental effects of agrichemical use such as spray drift onto neighbours' land and waterway contamination
The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) controls the environmental effects of activities, including agrichemical use. Regional councils use the RMA to manage spray drift, water contamination, and other environmental impacts.
Growsafe NZ Agrichemical Legislation (HSNO Act) 2
What is the purpose of the HSNO Act's 'test certification' requirement for certain agrichemical equipment?