Businesses, homeowners, marae and other users of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) across New Zealand are being urged to make sure they meet legal requirements, as the deadline to comply nears.
The reminder comes from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), following the reassessment of LPG that led to new rules being introduced in September 2010 to reduce the risks associated with its use and storage. The rules require any site with more than 100kg of LPG to hold a Location Test Certificate or to have passed a compliance check in accordance with the EPA’s Approved Code of Practice.
“From 2 March 2012, it will be illegal for suppliers of LPG to continue to deliver to any site that does not meet these new rules,” said Dr. Simon Buckland, the EPA’s Hazardous Substances Compliance Manager. “We strongly urge anyone with more than 100kg of LPG on site to make sure they comply and avoid the risk of a disruption to their supply,” said Dr. Buckland.
A Location Test Certificate is issued by a test certifier and the EPA is encouraging those affected by the legislation to contact a test certifier as soon as possible to arrange for an assessment of their site. For non-compliant sites where a test certificate cannot be issued immediately, the test certifier will advise what action is needed in order to meet the new rules.
After the deadline, non-compliant sites will not only risk a disruption to their supply but may also jeopardise the validity of their building insurance.
More information and a list of test certifiers are available on the Liquid Petroleum Gas Association of New Zealand’s website at www.lpga.org.nz.