What is a group standard?
Group standards are approvals for a group of hazardous substances of a similar nature, type, hazard or use.
Group standards are approvals for a group of hazardous substances of a similar nature, type, hazard or use.
Each group standard sets out the conditions that enable a group of hazardous substances to be managed safely. All group standards require compliance with a suite of EPA Notices.
In addition, some group standards contain additional controls that also need to be complied with, that are specific to that particular group standard.
Most domestic and workplace chemicals (except for explosives, pesticides, timber treatment chemicals and vertebrate toxic agents) are approved under group standards.
Different types of products with different uses can be approved together under a single group standard. For example, the aerosol group standards include aerosol paints and aerosol cleaners.
Cosmetic Products Group Standard 2020 Schedules 4-8 (PDF, 4.1 MB)
Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) group standards
Subsidiary Hazards group standards (XLXS, 20 KB) - search 'Subsidiary'
If a new hazardous substance being considered for approval fits the scope of an existing group standard, it is automatically deemed an approved substance.
If the new substance does not fit the scope of an existing group standard, an application for approval to import or manufacture that substance must be made. The application can be for:
Make an application to get approval for a substance
Apply for a new group standard approval
Apply for an amendment to a group standard approval
A group standard is established by publishing a notice in the New Zealand Gazette following public notification and consultation.
This is the current set of group standards that are now in force. They incorporate the GHS 7-based classification system that was implemented on 30 April 2021.
You can comply with any labelling, safety data sheet and packaging requirements that are in the old group standards until 30 April 2025. However, we strongly recommend updating to the new requirements as soon as possible.
See the full list of the 2020 group standards
Spreadsheet of the 2020 group standards 2020 (XLSX, 19.1KB)
Changes in the 2020 group standards
These group standards have been superseded by the 2020 group standards. Note that any labelling, safety data sheet and packaging requirements in these superseded group standards remain valid until 30 April 2025. However, we strongly recommend updating to the new requirements as soon as possible.
List of the 2017 group standards
These group standards have been superseded by the 2020 group standards. Note that any labelling, safety data sheet and packaging requirements in these superseded group standards remain valid until 30 April 2025. However, we strongly recommend updating to the new requirements as soon as possible.
The following changes were made to the group standards in 2020.
"a substance covered by this Group Standard must only be sold or supplied for use in a place of work where members of the public do not have access to the substance".
"This Group Standard excludes any veterinary medicine that contains a veterinary medicine active ingredient that—does not have an approval under section 28A or section 29 of the Act, or is not an ingredient in a veterinary medicine that has an approval under section 28A or section 29 of the Act."
The following three classifications:
were added as subsidiary hazards to the following group standards:
The classification “designed for biocidal action” was added as a subsidiary hazard in the following group standards: