News and Updates

Preparing for certified handler

Published: July 2022

Growsafe has recently developed some guidance to help agrichemical users who need to obtain a certified handler certificate. We have also developed an online course  to help you prepare for the review by the compliance certifier.

Update to Online Renewal of Growsafe Standard

Published: June 2022

We have recently reviewed and upgraded our online course to renew Growsafe Standard. The new course has more required learning material and covers new material from NZS8409 as well as changes to the the hazard classification system.

In the news (Rural Contractors press release)

Published: June 2022

Rural Contractors issued a press release  talking about the new NZS 8409:2021 - the 'bible' for spray contractors.

Annual report 2020-21

Published: 30 August2021

NZAET has published its annual report for the financial year ended 31 March 2021.

Launch of revised NZS 8409:2021

Published: 30 August2021

The revised Standard has been published. Holders of a current Growsafe certificate can access it for no charge through our website.

Review of NZS8409 - publication delay

Published: 20 July 2021

Review of NZS8409 - final editing underway

Published: 14 May 2021

Launch of new online learning

Published: 27 February 2021

Growsafe has developed a new online learning programme using Moodle. It can be found at learn.growsafe.co.nz

Review of NZS8409 - public comment closed

Published: 27 February 2021

Holiday close down

Published: 21 December 2020
Growsafe will be closed from Wednesday 23rd December until Monday 11th January 2021. If you have an urgent query, please email info@growsafe.co.nz.  This email may be checked occasionally over the holiday period. The phone will not be monitored. 

Have a good Xmas and New Year.

Review of NZS8409 - public comment phase

Published: 10 November 2020
The draft of the new NZS8409 for the Management of Agrichemicals is now open for public comment until the end of January 2021.

Update on paraquat rules

Published: 30 October 2020
New rules on the use of paraquat take effect from 12 December 2020.

Alert Level 3: Update on Services

Published: 28 April 2020
As an interim measure, during Alert Level 3 some Growsafe trainers will be offering remote learning options for the Growsafe Standard course.

Review of NZS8409

Published: 28 April 2020
Work is progressing on the review of the New Zealand Standard for the Management of Agrichemicals. 

COVID-19 Update

Published: 26 March 2020
NZAET is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of our team, and assisting our customers in essential services to continue to operate.  We will continue to reassess our operations as the situation evolves.

Review of NZS8409

Last updated: 23 September 2019
We are commencing a review of the New Zealand Standard for the Management of Agrichemicals NZS8409 to incorporate recent regulatory changes and to update good practice use of agrichemicals.

Integration of RCA Schemes

Published: September 2019
NZAET (Growsafe) and Rural Contractors have agreed to integrate their respective Registered Chemical Applicator schemes as at September 2019.

New Theory Certificate

Published: July 2019
NZAET has introduced a new certificate for those making decisions about spray operations but not actually doing the spray application.

Changes to Growsafe Certificates

Published: March 2018
Growsafe's certificates have changed. From 1 January 2018, we replaced the Growsafe Introductory certificate with two certificates:

• Growsafe Basic which is for users working under supervision and first-time agrichemical users.
• Growsafe Standard which is designed for those taking responsibility for a workplace or managing others.

Regulatory Changes

Published: March 2018
Regulatory changes took effect on 1 December 2017, moving responsibility for safe use of hazardous substances in the workplace to WorkSafe.