Published on 20 Aug 2025

Clear stakeholder insights delivered on time: Supporting EPA's chemical regulation update

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Stephanie James Senior Consultant Contact me

When the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) proposed changes to chemical regulations, they needed to understand diverse stakeholder perspectives quickly. Our systematic analysis of 29 submissions gave them clear, actionable insights that balanced environmental protection with practical implementation.

The EPA regulates activities affecting New Zealand's environment, particularly managing hazardous substances.

When they proposed amendments to improve chemical management requirements for pesticides, fumigants, antifouling paints, timber treatment chemicals, and explosives, they faced a challenge. With 29 submissions containing responses to 31 detailed questions and limited internal resources, the EPA needed expert help to identify patterns and insights that would inform their regulatory decisions.

The analysis helped the EPA refine their proposed amendments to achieve their environmental protection goals while addressing practical implementation challenges. The EPA used our report to brief their Board and inform the next steps in their regulatory process.

What we discovered

We analysed 29 diverse submissions against 31 consultation questions in just one week, enabling timely regulatory decisions. 

Our analysis revealed themes that shaped the EPA's approach:

  • Website Generic Icons 1200x1200 GREEN 31 Concerns about administrative burden.
  • Website Generic Icons 1200x1200 GREEN 31 Protection of sensitive information.
  • Website Generic Icons 1200x1200 GREEN 31 Need for regulatory alignment.
  • Website Generic Icons 1200x1200 GREEN 31 Different perspectives on reporting thresholds.
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Informed regulatory decision-making

While 29 submissions sounds a small number, the complexity of the submissions and the research and validation required around the evidence presented, meant this was not a simple task. 

The EPA received our comprehensive analysis within two weeks, enabling them to move forward confidently with their regulatory process. Our report provided clear answers to each consultation question, identified key stakeholder concerns and the presentation of quantitative data to support understanding of stakeholder positions. 

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