Why You Need a Compliance Certifier
Understanding your obligations under New Zealand's hazardous substances regulations — and how we help you meet them.
Why You Need a Compliance Certifier
Handling hazardous substances in New Zealand comes with legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017.
1. Legal Requirement Under NZ Law
The Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 require businesses to obtain specific certifications from a WorkSafe-authorised compliance certifier. This isn't optional — it's the law.
2. Independent Safety Verification
A compliance certifier provides independent, third-party verification that your site, handlers, and processes meet the required safety standards. This protects your workers, your community, and your business.
3. Penalties for Non-Compliance
Non-compliance can result in improvement notices, prohibition notices, operational shutdowns, and prosecution by WorkSafe NZ for serious breaches.
4. Expert Guidance
A compliance certifier can identify practical improvements to your safety systems and help you understand your specific obligations.
5. Tailored Certification for Your Needs
Every business is different. A compliance certifier assesses your specific substances, quantities, storage conditions, and operations to provide certification tailored to your situation.
How Assure Safety Can Help
Site Assessments
Comprehensive on-site assessments to identify compliance requirements, gaps, and practical solutions for your operation.
Certification Assistance
End-to-end support through the certification process — from initial application to final approval by WorkSafe.
Safety Training
Customised training programmes to ensure your team understands their obligations and handles substances safely.
Ongoing Support
Regulations change. We keep you updated and help you maintain compliance as requirements evolve.
When You Need a Chartered Engineer + Compliance Certifier
Some situations require more than a standard compliance assessment. Our team includes both compliance certifiers and Chartered mechanical and chemical engineers who can provide the engineering judgement needed.
- Stationary tanks or pipework carrying hazardous substances
- Flammable or toxic substances in process equipment
- Determining workroom vs. storage room classification
- Complex sites with multiple hazardous substance classes
- Responding to WorkSafe audit findings
- Non-standard constraints requiring engineering solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
Class 6.1A and 6.1B substances (highly toxic chemicals, fumigants, and vertebrate toxic agents) require Certified Handler certification. Sites storing Class 6 (Toxic) and Class 8 (Corrosive) substances above threshold quantities require Location Compliance Certificates. Gas cylinder imports require Cylinder Importation Certificates under Part 15 of the Regulations.
Timeframes depend on the type of certification and the complexity of your site. Contact us to discuss your specific requirements and we can give you an indication of the process.
Yes. We have experts based in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, Invercargill, and the Upper North Island. We provide compliance certification services across all of Aotearoa New Zealand.
A compliance certifier is authorised by WorkSafe to issue specific compliance certificates under the Hazardous Substances Regulations. A Chartered Engineer is registered with Engineering New Zealand and can provide independent engineering assessments and opinions. Assure Safety combines both — our team includes compliance certifiers and Chartered mechanical and chemical engineers, so we can handle complex situations that require both expertise.
WorkSafe NZ can issue improvement notices (requiring you to fix issues within a set timeframe), prohibition notices (stopping your operation immediately), or prosecute for serious breaches. Penalties can be significant.
Not Sure What You Need?
Get in touch and we can help clarify your obligations and what's required for your situation.