An application to determine whether there were grounds for a reassessment of the classification of flammable gases from methyl bromide has been rejected by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

This last decision does not invalidate the reasons for reassessment identified earlier this year as a result of an application submitted by the Methyl Bromide Reduction Inc (STIMBR) stakeholders, based on the volume of methyl bromide used and imported into New Zealand.

Although these reasons for reassessment have been established, the EPA did not yet received an application to reassess methyl bromide.

In October 2020, users of methyl bromide in New Zealand will still have to comply with EPA's requirement to use re-combustion technology and to safely recover or dispose of the gas used in their gas activity [19659002] General Manager of the Hazardous Substances Group of EPA Dr Fiona Thomson-Carter says that the EPA has appointed decision-making committee ided that none of the four possible factors needed to approve the grounds for reassessment was present, and the application was rejected.

"Reasons for reassessment must be determined before an application for renewed approval can be accepted under the Dangerous Substances and New Bodies Act," says Dr. Thomson-Carter.

"In their application, the Pest Management Association has New Zealand (PMANZ) information presented that methyl bromide "is only flammable in extreme concentrations, extreme heat and a high voltage spark", and as such can not be considered as a flammable gas.

"The EPA agrees with the supporting information, but believes that it does not meet the" important new information "factor for reasons to change the flammability rating of methyl bromide," says Dr. Thomson-Carter.

Anyone can submit an application for land; and once grounds have been approved, anyone can apply for the subsequent reassessment.

Read the request decision

(https://www.epa.govt.nz/database-search/hsno-application-register/view/APP203435)