We received around 520 responses to our call for information on the 11 synthetic pyrethroids, the 350-plus substances that contain them, and their use in New Zealand.

Project Update - August 2021

We have reviewed the submissions we received.

We have also conducted significant work on the benefits, Māori engagement and assessing overseas regulation of the pyrethroids involved. We are currently assessing risks and developing proposals for the 350-plus substances that are approved in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We will go out for public consultation on the future of these substances when this work is complete – with an indicative timeframe of mid-2022.

If you would like to apply for a new approval to import or manufacture a synthetic pyrethroid-containing substance before then, please get in touch with us at HSApplications@epa.govt.nz.

Background to this call for information

We determined that there are grounds to reassess 11 synthetic pyrethroid insecticides which are used in a variety of settings, including in agriculture, bed bug and flea treatments, and in household fly sprays and automatic dispensers.

Nine of the synthetic pyrethroids we are seeking information for are listed on the newly released priority chemicals list which are around 40 chemicals that we believe are most in need of review.

Read more about the Priority Chemicals List

We asked for information on products containing any of the 11 synthetic pyrethroids, which are available in off-the-shelf products for use in the home and garden, and products used professionally in the agriculture and commercial sectors (for example in crop protection products, timber treatments, and veterinary medicines).

Information we were looking for

Responding to this call for information was voluntary. We appreciate the information industry and users provided us with on the current use, practices, and benefits of these synthetic pyrethroids.

We will review the current uses of these substances and undertake an assessment of those uses. There will be an opportunity for interested parties to make formal submissions on our assessment and proposal, when the application is publicly notified.

The synthetic pyrethroid insecticides we sought information on are:

• Bifenthrin
• Bioresmethrin
• Cyfluthrin
• Cyhalothrin
• Cyhalothrin, lambda
• Cypermethrin
• Cypermethrin, alpha
• Deltamethrin
• Fenvalerate
• Permethrin
• Tetramethrin

There are application documents for the grounds to reassess these synthetic pyrethroids.

Read the grounds for reassessment documents