The Environmental Protection Authority is the government agency responsible for regulatory functions concerning New Zealand's environmental management.
These include national consenting under the Resource Management Act, management of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme and New Zealand Emission Unit Register, regulation of hazardous substances, new organisms, ozone depleting chemicals, hazardous waste exports and imports, and assessment of environmental effects in Antarctica.
The EPA has also been identified as the proposed consenting authority for activities taking place within the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf in the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environment Effects) Bill, introduced in Parliament on 24 August 2011.
In doing our work, we liaise with other government agencies in New Zealand and internationally, industry, science and research bodies, Māori, and the public.
Structure
The EPA is a Crown Agent.
The Board comprises six to eight people appointed by the Minister for the Environment.
- The HSNO committee has delegated decision-making powers relating to applications made under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.