WORLD TRADE G/LIC/N/3/NZL/1/Add.1
6April 1998
ORGANIZATION(98-1377)
Original: English Committee onImport Licensing
REPLIES TOQUESTIONNAIRE ONIMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
Notification under Article 7.3ofthe
Agreement onImport Licensing Procedures
NEW ZEALAND
Addendum
Thefollowing communication, dated 13March 1998, hasbeenreceived fromthePermanent
Mission ofNewZealand.
_______________
Background
Aswellastheformal import permit system operated under theOzone Layer Protection Act
notified inOctober 1996 (G/LIC/N/3/NZL/1) NewZealand has,since 1995, hadasystem ofprior
informedconsentproceduresimplementedtomeetobligationsundertheBaselConventionontheControl
ofTransboundary Movements ofHazardous Wastes andTheir Disposal. Under regulations contained
intheImport Control Act1988, imports ofarange ofmaterials classed ashazardous wastes mustbe
notified totheMinistry ofCommerce andapproved forimportation priortoarrival. Thisprocess has
recentlybeenplacedonasimilarfootingtoozonepermitsinthattheMinistermust,sometimesemploying
delegated authority, specifically permit eachapplication.
Purposes andcoverage
Thecoverage oftheConvention islaiddown inArticles 3-8andAnnexes 1-3,clarified by
additional Annexes 8and9asdecided attheFourth Conference ofParties inFebruary 1998. The
purpose oftheNewZealand regulations istoensure thatthepriorinformed consent processes required
bytheConvention areimplemented inawaythatensures thatthematerials concerned willbemanaged
inanenvironmentally sound manner. Thecoverage oftherelevant NewZealand regulation replicates
theConvention 'scoverage (seeattached1).
1Acopy oftheImport Control (Wastes) Conditional Prohibition Order 1994 isavailable forconsultation inthe
Secretariat (Market Access Division) (English only).
./.G/LIC/N/3/NZL/1/Add.1
Page2
Procedures
Importers orothers dealing withtherange ofmaterials possibly covered bytheregulation can
approach theMinistry ofCommerce forclarification. Ifapermit isrequired thismust beobtained
(from theMinistry ofCommerce, thedesignated Competent Authority) priortothematerials arriving.
Asexportingcountrieshavethemajorobligations,includingobtainingconsentfromanytransitcountries,
import permits should preferably beobtained prior toshipping.
Decisions onapplications toimport cangenerally bemade available within threeworking days.
There arenoquantitative limits. Thesolecriterion iswhether thematerials willbemanaged inan
environmentally sound manner. Relevant insurance tocover theriskofthematerials notcompleting
theirjourney forsome reason isrequested. Permits covering multiple shipments canbegranted.
Eligibility
Allpersons/firms mayapply. Nofeesorcharges arelevied.
Documentation
Internationally agreed standard forms areused, oneforapproval andonetoaccompany the
shipment.
__________