Dry-Cleaners

The chemicals you use for dry-cleaning are controlled by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996. These types of chemicals are generally managed under a group standard approval

These are some of the typical chemicals that might be used in the dry cleaning industry:

Solvents
such as perchloroethylene (perc), aromatic hydrocarbon solvents (eg Stoddard solvent), carbon disulfide, dichloroethane, ethyl ether, ethylene glycol, methanol, and propylene dichloride
Bleaches
such as hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite
Spotting agents
such as acetic acid, amyl acetate, aqueous ammonia, hydrofluoric acid and oxalic acid.

If you use some of these substances, you may require one of the following test certificates:

You will need a Location Test Certificate:

  • if you are using and/or storing particular chemicals above certain quantities
  • These quantities depend on the hazards of the particular chemicals you have on your site (refer to the Hazardous Substances Class 1-5 Control Regulations or contact a Test Certifier)

Approved Handlers

An Approved Handler must make sure that certain chemicals are handled safely, that they do not harm people, nor damage the environment.

The table below shows you which commonly used chemicals will need an Approved Handler. Note that not all employees handling these hazardous substances will have to be Approved Handlers, as long as they are working under the guidance of an Approved Handler. However an Approved Handler must be present at the location and be available to provide assistance.

How to get Test Certificates

You must obtain your test certificates from a Test Certifier. To find your nearest Test Certifier, check the register or call ERMA New Zealand for a list of Test Certifiers to be posted to you.

Tracked chemicals

The most hazardous chemicals need tracking, and you will need an Approved Handler in order to use them. To buy them your supplier will need to confirm you are an Approved Handler, and that you have a Location Test Certificate if needed. The table at the end shows which chemicals are tracked.

At a glance

The following is an overview of some of the substances that require Approved Handlers, Location Certificates and Tracking. Note: these are for the pure substances.

Dry-Cleaners Test Certificates
Chemical Name Location Approved Handler Tracking
Acetic acid, >80% solutions in water Yes >500 litres in large closed containers* No No
Acetic acid, up to 80% solutions in water No No No
Ammonia, up to 50% solutions in water No No No
Carbon disulfide Yes >100 litres in large closed containers* Yes (any quantity) Yes
1,1-dichloroethane Yes >100 litres in large closed containers* Yes >250 litres No
Dichloromethane No No No
Ethyl ether Yes >20 litres Yes (any quantity) Yes
Ethylene glycol No No No
Hydrofluoric acid, >1% solutions in water No Yes (any quantity) Yes
Hydrofluoric acid, up to 1% solutions in water No No No
Hydrogen peroxide, 8-20% solutions in water** Yes >1000 litres Yes >1000 litres No
Methanol Yes >100 litres in large closed containers* Yes >250 litres No
Perchloroethylene No Yes >10 litres No
Solvents (medium flashpoint):Amyl acetate; mineral turpentine; solvent naphtha; Stoddard solvent; white spirits Yes >500 litres in large closed containers* No No
Trichloroethylene No Yes >10 litres No

* ie containers that are larger than 5 litres, this includes containers that are open occasionally for the contents to be removed.

** If you have hydrogen peroxide outside of the 8-20% solutions in water range, different requirements for Location Test Certificate, Approved Handler and Tracking will apply. Ask your Test Certifier.

NOTE: If you have more than one substance that requires a Location Test Certificate it is the total quantity of all those substances that will determine whether a Test Certificate is needed. Please contact a Test Certifier for advice.

What must I do now?

Not all the chemicals you use, distribute, or store are listed in this leaflet, but please be aware that all hazardous chemicals are controlled by the HSNO Act.

You should:

  • check your chemicals
  • identify and obtain Test Certificates for Locations and/or Approved Handlers for those substances that require them
  • contact a Test Certifier if you have any queries about what is required for a particular chemical.

Contact ERMA New Zealand

Information on HSNO compliance is also available from ERMA New Zealand. Contact our Hazardous Substances Compliance Line:

Phone: 0800 376 234, or
Email: hsinfo@ermanz.govt.nz

Or contact us at:

ERMA New Zealand
PO Box 131
Wellington