Resources

FAQs
Forms, Templates and Reference documents
RMA and Regional Plan requirements
Website links (including links to Approved Handler info)
Agrichemical manufacturers (including links to Haznotes and MSDSs)

 

FAQs

I've lost my GROWSAFE certificate, how can I get a new one?
I can't remember my GROWSAFE certificate number, how can I find it out?
Email your details (full name and date of birth) to certificates@growsafe.co.nz or ring our database manager on 04 381 7824 and leave your details.  You will be sent a pdf of your certificate for no cost or you can have a replacement certificate printed for a small fee.

I've lost my Approved Handler certificate, how can I get a new one?
I can't remember my Approved Handler certificate number, how can I find it out?
Approved Handler certificates are issued by Test Certifiers.  If you can remember the name of your Test Certifier, contact them for a replacement certificate.  Your GROWSAFE Trainer will know the name of your Test Certifier (or may also be your Test Certifier).  There is also a list of current Test Certifiers on the EPA website.  If you cannot identify your Test Certifier, then ring the EPA on 0800 376 234 and they will look up your details in their database.

Why hasn't NZS8409 been updated since 2004?  When is it due to be updated?
NZS8409, the Code of Practice for the Management of Agrichemicals was reviewed in 2012 to determine whether it needed to be updated.  There is a significant cost in updating an industry-approved Code of Practice and it was determined that there is no compelling need to update it.  This is a reflection of the way it was written ie focussed on risk management principles rather than specific instructions on how to carry out activities.  The Code is as relevant now as it was when it was revised in 2004.

I completed my course successfully but haven't received my certificate(s).
Certificates usually take about two weeks to be issued after course requirements have been completed.  If you have not received your certificate, contact your Trainer first to check that you successfully completed all the requirements of the course and that your results have been submitted for processing.

I am a retailer selling agrichemicals.  Do I need a GROWSAFE certificate? Or Approved Handler?
There are no requirements under the RMA for Suppliers of agrichemicals and you do not need a GROWSAFE Intoductory certificate. However, there is a recommended qualification for retailers called GROWSAFE Supplier which is a higher level certification.

Under the HSNO Act, the person-in-charge (PIC) must have an Approved Handler certificate.  This needs to cover the classes of hazardous goods found in the retail store, which may include agrichemicals, oxidisers, flammable products.  It also needs to cover the appropriate lifecycles eg Storage. It does not need to cover Use.
Note: the GROWSAFE Introductory course covers Approved Handler requirements for agrichemicals but not for other classes of hazardous goods so may or may not be appropriate to your needs.

Under the HSNO Act, you may also need a Location Test Certificate if you store large quantities of Class 2 or 3 flammable product. Not many agrichemicals are Class 2 or 3, but other products in a rural retail store may be.

 

Forms, templates AND REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

Spray diary form
Spray plan form
Tracked chemical recording sheet
Notification template (not yet available)
HSNO Classifications table

  

RMA and Regional Plan Requirements

Many regional plans require commercial users of agrichemicals to hold GROWSAFE certificates.  We have developed summaries of regional council training requirements for commercial users and contractors. 

Guidelines to individual Air Plans
Northland
Auckland
Waikato
Bay of Plenty
Horizons
Gisborne
Hawkes Bay
Taranaki
Wellington
Tasman
Nelson
Marlborough
Canterbury
West Coast
Otago
Southland

Links for individual Air Plans
Northland
Auckland
Waikato
Bay of Plenty
Horizon
Gisborne
Hawkes Bay
Taranaki
Wellington
Tasman
Nelson
Marlborough
Canterbury
West Coast
Otago
Southland

 

WEBSITE LINKS

Agcarm - the industry association for manufacturers and distributors of crop protection and animal health products.  The site has a number of useful resources including:

  • Bee Brochure - Agcarm's brochure summarising how to minimise the impact of agrichemicals on bees
  • Storage Checklist - Agcarm's checklist for safe, small-scale storage of agrichemicals


Agrecovery - information on the safe disposal of agrichemical containers and surplus agrichemicals

Environmental Protection Authority - responsible for the HSNO Act and Approved Handler certification.  Visit this website to find further information on:

NZTA - information on transporting dangerous goods.  Note that a D endorsement on your drivers licence has replaced the lifecycle "Transport" in Approved Handler certificates.  Substances requiring tracking can therefore be transferred to a someone who has a D endorsement for the purposes of transport.

Standards New Zealand -  NZS8409:2004 (Management of Agrichemicals) can be purchased from this site  (or directly from GROWSAFE - see our home page).

AGRICHEMICAL MANUFACTURERS
Click on the links below to find product information including labels, MSDS and Haznotes for agrichemicals manufactured by the following companies:
Agronica
BASF
Dow Agrosciences
Nufarm
Syngenta