Asbestos-Containing Products Banned in New Zealand

New Zealand extends its ban on the importation of asbestos to include products containing asbestos. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) July 30, 2016 - On June 15, 2016, New Zealand announced a ban on the importation of products containing asbestos. These new restrictions complement the existing ban on the importation of raw asbestos.

Asbestos, fibrous forms of siliceous minerals including actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, serpentine (chrysotile) and tremolite, was widely used throughout the world until the 1980s, when the potential adverse health effects from asbestos exposure became understood. Since then a number of countries have banned or severely restricted its use.

The announcement of a new ban on asbestos-containing products follows a 2014 inventory, released by the Ministry for the Environment. The inventory reported the existence and established use of alternatives to asbestos in New Zealand, paving the way for an extension to the pre-existing ban on the importation of raw asbestos.

The new regulations will allow the importation of products containing asbestos in very specialized applications. For example, in the maintenance of older machinery, vintage planes or ships, and where an alternative is unavailable or the cost would be disproportionately high. In these cases, the risk of exposure must be safely managed. Permission to import items under this scheme will be administered by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

The ban on products containing asbestos will come into effect on October 1, 2016.

SGS Hardgoods Services
Through a global network of laboratories, SGS can carry out analytical testing and consultancy services on a range of restricted substances, including asbestos, allowing operators access to all international markets, including New Zealand. Learn more about SGS's Hardgoods Services (www.sgs.com/hardgoods)

For further information contact:
Hingwo Tsang
Global Hardlines Information and Innovation Manager
Tel:(+852) 2774 7420
Email: cts.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardgoods

About SGS
SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 85,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,800 offices and laboratories around the world.

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