How SMEs in Auckland Can Stay Compliant with HSNO Inventories and Registers
How to Comply with HSNO Inventory or Registers in Auckland for SMEs
If your business in Auckland uses chemicals — paints, fuel, solvents, pesticides, acids, or cleaning products — then the HSNO Act (Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996) applies to you. One of the big requirements under HSNO is keeping a proper hazardous substances inventory or register.
For a lot of SME owners, this feels like another job that gets pushed down the list. But here’s the reality: if WorkSafe turns up and you don’t have a current inventory, you’re already on the back foot.
What Is an HSNO Inventory/Register?
Think of it as your master list of all the hazardous substances on your site. It must include:
-
Product name and supplier details.
-
Quantity you’re storing.
-
Where it’s stored (room, shed, cabinet).
-
The hazards (flammable, corrosive, toxic, explosive).
-
The latest Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
It’s not just a list for the sake of it — it’s the first thing emergency services will look for if something goes wrong.
HSNO Rules for Inventories in Auckland
Here’s what you must do to stay compliant:
-
List every hazardous substance onsite. No skipping the “small stuff.”
-
Keep it up to date. If a product comes in or goes out, update the register.
-
Link it to SDS sheets. Every product on the register must have an SDS less than 5 years old.
-
Make it accessible. Workers and emergency responders need to be able to find it quickly.
Why Many SMEs Get This Wrong
-
Old registers that haven’t been updated in years.
-
Missing small containers of fuel, cleaners, or paints.
-
Staff don’t know where the register is kept.
-
No system to keep SDS and inventory aligned.
These mistakes can cost you in fines, delays, or worse — an accident that no one’s prepared for.
How Auditsure Ltd and ChemMatrix Can Help
Auditsure Ltd are specialists in compliance and safety, working with SMEs across Auckland. They’re also developing ChemMatrix, a professional platform that takes the pain out of HSNO compliance.
With ChemMatrix, you’ll be able to:
-
Build and maintain a live hazardous substances inventory online.
-
Attach SDS sheets to each entry automatically.
-
Get reminders when updates are needed.
-
Give staff and emergency responders instant digital access.
-
Prove compliance to WorkSafe in minutes, not hours.
No more messy spreadsheets or half-completed registers — everything in one simple, professional system.
Final Word
Keeping a HSNO hazardous substances inventory or register isn’t just red tape — it’s about safety, compliance, and protecting your business. If you’re an SME in Auckland, get your register sorted, keep it current, and make sure your staff know where to find it.
And if you’d rather not deal with the admin yourself, let Auditsure Ltd and their ChemMatrix platform do the heavy lifting. Compliance doesn’t have to be hard — you just need the right tools.
Make Enquiry