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HSNO Register Compliance for NZ Farms — How ChemMatrix Keeps You on the Right Side of the Law

HSNO Register Compliance for Farms in NZ — What It Means and Why ChemMatrix Makes It Easy

Every working farm in New Zealand has one thing in common — hazardous substances.
Diesel, fertiliser, spray chemicals, animal drenches, cleaning agents — they all fall under the HSNO Act (Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996) and the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017.

Those laws don’t just apply to “big” farms or factories.
Even a small block with a fuel tank, spray shed or a couple of chemical drums needs a proper hazardous substances register.

And here’s where most farmers get tripped up — the register isn’t just a list on the wall. It’s a live compliance document that has to meet strict HSNO standards.

Let’s unpack what’s required, why it matters, and how ChemMatrix — built by Auditsure Ltd — makes it easy for busy farmers to stay compliant.

📋 What Is an HSNO Hazardous Substances Register?

A Hazardous Substances Register is basically the farm’s official record of all hazardous materials stored, handled or used on the property.
Under WorkSafe NZ guidance, it must include:

  • The name of every hazardous substance (exact product and supplier).

  • Location of storage (fuel shed, spray trailer, chemical cabinet).

  • Approximate quantities on site.

  • HSNO classification (flammable, toxic, corrosive, etc.).

  • Up-to-date SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for each product — less than 5 years old.

  • Emergency contact details and any special precautions or PPE needed.

You must also keep records of staff training, and show that everyone handling those substances knows what they’re working with.

That’s a lot of detail — and that’s why digital tools like ChemMatrix are changing the game.

🧠 Why HSNO Registers Matter

  1. It’s the Law
    Under HSWA 2015, every PCBU (that includes farm owners and managers) has a duty to identify and manage hazardous risks. A complete register proves you’ve done that.

  2. It Protects Your Team and Livestock
    Knowing what substances are on-site helps prevent accidents, spills, and chemical mix-ups that can harm people, stock, or waterways.

  3. It Keeps You WorkSafe-Ready
    WorkSafe inspectors often ask for a current HSNO register. If you don’t have one, or it’s out of date, you could face compliance action or penalties.

  4. It Helps in Emergencies
    If a fire or spill happens, firefighters or first responders can see instantly what they’re dealing with and respond safely.

🚜 Why Most Farms Struggle with Compliance

Here’s what often happens:

  • Registers are written once and never updated.

  • SDS sheets go missing or are expired.

  • Staff don’t know what PPE to use.

  • Fuel and spray records sit in notebooks, not in a system.

It’s not because farmers don’t care — it’s because they’re busy.
That’s where ChemMatrix steps in to do the heavy lifting.

🌐 ChemMatrix — The Smarter Way to Stay HSNO Compliant

ChemMatrix, powered by Auditsure Ltd, is a digital platform designed for real-world NZ farms.
It simplifies compliance by automatically organising and updating all your hazardous-substance info in one secure place.

Here’s how it helps:

✅ Automatic Register Creation — Enter your products, and ChemMatrix builds your HSNO register with classifications and quantities.

✅ Live SDS Library — Links each substance to its current Safety Data Sheet, so no more chasing paperwork.

✅ PPE and Storage Guidance — Tells you exactly what gear and storage rules apply to each chemical.

✅ Alerts & Reminders — Get notifications when SDS or training records are due for renewal.

✅ Training Records & Emergency Plans — Log who’s trained, when, and create WorkSafe-ready reports with one click.

It’s like having a compliance officer in your pocket — but one who never takes a holiday.

👨‍🌾 Why You Should Bring in a Professional

Even with tools like ChemMatrix, professional support makes the setup faster and fool-proof.
That’s why working with Auditsure Ltd or a qualified HSNO consultant matters:

  • They’ll audit your site and identify every substance you’ve got.

  • Classify each product correctly under HSNO.

  • Help you store and segregate chemicals the right way.

  • Set up ChemMatrix so it runs smoothly for your team.

Professionals make sure your register isn’t just “good enough” — it’s fully compliant, WorkSafe-ready, and simple for anyone on-farm to understand.

✅ Final Word

Keeping an HSNO register isn’t optional — it’s your safety net and your proof of compliance.
By combining expert help from Auditsure Ltd with the smart automation of ChemMatrix, farmers can finally ditch the messy binders and guesswork.

You’ll stay compliant, protect your workers, and run your farm with confidence — knowing your hazardous substances are fully under control.

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