We are the enforcement agency for matters relating to hazardous waste under the Import and Export (Restrictions) Act 2011 and ozone depleting substances under the Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996. If you do not comply with the requirements under this act, you may incur penalties including having your permit revoked and receiving a fine.
We do not directly undertake enforcement under the HSNO Act for any other issues concerning hazardous substances and new organisms. Responsibility for enforcing these matters is assigned to enforcement agencies. The nominated agencies may appoint enforcement officers.
Each agency has responsibility for enforcement in a specific area. They can also work together, or transfer powers, functions or duties to other enforcement agencies.
The EPA's role in enforcement of the HSNO Act is to:
- advise agencies and the Minister for the Environment of situations we consider have insufficient or unnecessary enforcement in place
- report on the performance of enforcement agencies
- report on incidents involving hazardous substances and new organisms
- conduct inquiries into emergencies involving hazardous substances.