New Zealand Overhauls Hazardous Substance Rules for Research Labs

Changes aim to streamline compliance and reduce costs, but some worry about safety compromises

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:51am

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft, flat colors featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the intricate systems and forces involved in the safe handling of hazardous materials in research environments.As New Zealand overhauls regulations for research labs handling hazardous substances, a conceptual illustration captures the complex, interconnected forces at play in ensuring safety and practicality.Today in Pittsburgh

In a move that could save the research industry billions, Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden has announced significant changes to hazardous substance regulations specifically tailored for research laboratories. The current one-size-fits-all approach fails to recognize the stark difference in scale and purpose between research labs and industrial facilities like petrol refineries. The proposed changes empower labs to develop their own risk management plans and create a new code of practice to reflect the unique needs of research settings.

Why it matters

The existing rules, designed for large-scale industrial operations, often don't align with the realities of research environments. Many research labs, built under previous regulations, are now non-compliant, and upgrading them would be prohibitively expensive, potentially reaching billions of dollars. The new regulations aim to strike a balance between safety and practicality, allowing research to thrive without unnecessary burdens.

The details

The proposed changes include empowering research labs to develop their own risk management plans, allowing for flexibility and expertise-driven safety measures. A new code of practice will be developed in collaboration with industry experts and WorkSafe, ensuring it reflects the unique needs of research settings. Specific rules will also be adjusted, such as allowing nearby storage sites to follow the same regulations as labs and removing the need for researchers with advanced training to obtain separate certifications.

  • The current regulations were implemented in 2017.
  • The proposed changes were announced in April 2026.

The players

Brooke van Velden

Workplace Relations Minister of New Zealand, who announced the changes to hazardous substance regulations for research labs.

Mathew Anker

A researcher at Victoria University, who emphasizes that the goal is to make safety measures contextually appropriate for research environments, not to weaken standards.

Universities New Zealand

An organization that estimates the cost of upgrading non-compliant research labs to meet the current standards could reach billions of dollars.

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What they’re saying

“The existing rules, designed for large-scale industrial operations, often don't align with the realities of research environments.”

— Brooke van Velden, Workplace Relations Minister

“The goal isn't to weaken safety standards but to make them contextually appropriate.”

— Mathew Anker, Researcher, Victoria University

What’s next

The proposed changes will be developed in collaboration with industry experts and WorkSafe, with the goal of implementing the new regulations in the near future.

The takeaway

The changes to hazardous substance regulations for research labs in New Zealand aim to strike a balance between safety and practicality, allowing research to thrive without unnecessary burdens. While the industry welcomes the pragmatic approach, concerns remain about the potential risks of self-regulation, highlighting the ongoing debate around maintaining safety standards in research environments.