,"On August 11, 2025, WTO circulates a notification from New Zealand regarding Application APP204896 for the reassessment of chlorthal-dimethyl containing substances. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) proposes to revoke the approval for these substances due to non-negligible risks to human health and the environment, which cannot be sufficiently mitigated through restrictions. The EPA concludes that the risks outweigh the benefits of continued use.
The proposal recommends:
-Immediate revocation from the decision date.
-A six-month timeframe for disposal.
-Prohibition on use during the disposal period.
-The final decision will be made by an independent decision-making committee.
Final date for comments is October 6, 2025. Proposed date of entry into force is to be determined and Dates for consideration and a decision are not confirmed but are projected for early February 2026.
Following are the some of key sections from Staff assessment report – the application to reassess chlorthal-dimethyl containing substance
It summarises information from:
Appendix A: Temporary restrictions put in place in 2024 (included in Staff assessment report)
Appendix B: Science memo – quantitative human health risk assessment
Appendix C: Science memo – qualitative environmental risk assessment
Appendix D: Māori impact assessment
Appendix E: Economic assessment report
Appendix F: WorkSafe advice report.
Updates to classification
Based on the study data from international regulators, EPA will update the hazard classification of the active ingredient chlorthal-dimethyl as follows:
1. Include these hazard classifications:
• carcinogenicity Category 2
• reproductive toxicity Category 2
• specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure Category 2 (already classified)
2. Remove- the hazard classification eye irritation Category 2 classification.
3. Update- the aquatic classification of chlorthal-dimethyl from hazardous to the aquatic environment chronic Category 2 to hazardous to the aquatic environment chronic Category 1.
Key Environmental Risk Findings:
-Likely groundwater contamination regardless of controls.
-Spray drift and runoff risks require further buffer zone analysis.
-Volatile nature makes it prone to spreading beyond application areas—unmitigable.
-Earthworm risks likely acceptable but uncertain due to limited data.
-No data on other invertebrates and soil organisms—no conclusions possible.
-Risks to plants and birds cannot be qualitatively assessed.
-Negligible risk to bees.
-Low but non-negligible risk to non-target arthropods; recovery expected with warning labels."
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