Constitutional Review – first report back date

Environmental Protection Authority - New Status and Functions

The Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 was passed on 11 May 2011. The Act established the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) as a stand-alone Crown entity with effect from 1 July 2011 and confirms its powers and functions. Although the EPA is now separate from the Ministry for the Environment (MfE), MfE will continue to lead development of the policy that will support operation of the EPA.

In summary, the key functions of the EPA include:

to process applications for major infrastructure projects of national significance under the Resource Management Act;
to take over the functions of the former Environmental Risk Management Authority under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act;
to take over the administration of the Emissions Trading Scheme and Registry under the Climate Change Response Act;
to advise on the development of National Environmental Standards;
to take over the permitting and exemption functions under the Ozone Layer Protection Act; and
to take over the permitting functions under the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order.

The EPA will also have responsibility for consenting, monitoring and enforcement in the Exclusive Economic Zone and Extended Continental Shelf once the Exclusive Economic Zone and Extended Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill is enacted.

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