We are seeking feedback on a proposal to revoke the existing asbestos ACOP (Approved code of practice: Management and removal of Asbestos) and replace it with an updated suite of guidance.

The proposed replacement suite of guidance has been developed in collaboration with the asbestos industry and others involved with the management of asbestos in New Zealand. It has been updated to align with international good practice, and addresses known errors within the current ACOP. The main guides have been developed as good practice guidelines rather than ACOPs to enable more timely updates, such as including industry innovations as they occur, and updating them with upcoming changes to regulations and standards expected in the next few years.

Consultation opens Monday 20 October 2025 and closes on Friday 24 October 2025.

Find out more about our work to update asbestos guidance: stages of asbestos guidance development

Consultation document

Please use our submission feedback form to provide your feedback:

Send your completed submission form to: to: guidanceandeducationdevelopment@worksafe.govt.nz with the subject line: Asbestos code of practice feedback.

The deadline for receiving submissions is 5pm on Friday 24 October 2025.

Please note

• The existing Approved Code of Practice: Management and removal of asbestos remains the primary point of reference for enforceable good practice in asbestos management and removal.

The suite includes

• Interpretive guidelines for the Asbestos Regulations: 
  • these explain the Asbestos Regulations – what they mean, and what WorkSafe expects of duty holders under the regulations. 
• Five good practice guidelines that are each tailored for a specific audience or function: 
  • Managing asbestos in your building or workplace – guidance for PCBUs  
  • Asbestos surveys – guidance for surveyors 
  • Asbestos removal – guidance for licensed and unlicensed removalists 
  • Asbestos assessments – guidance for assessors 
  • Working with or near asbestos – guidance for tradespeople.
• Three quick guides that cover: 
  • Asbestos in New Zealand 
  • Asbestos in the home – information for homeowners 
  • PPE and RPE for working with asbestos.
• Quick reference safe work practices info sheets: 
  • 12 that cover various asbestos-related work tasks for tradespeople 
  • 11 that cover removal techniques for various forms of non-friable asbestos. 
• Additional education and awareness resources: 
  • Asbestos awareness/identification posters tailored for each major trade (7 posters) 
  • Instructional videos for workers on correct fitting of PPE, RPE, work area preparation, and decontamination procedures.

Next steps after consultation 

The next steps once public consultation closes: 

• We will collate and consider all feedback received. 
• A summary of the feedback received will be published on the website. 
• Depending on the outcome of consultation, we may present a recommendation/proposal to revoke the existing ACOP to the Minister for Workplace Relations for consideration. 
• If the Minister approves the revocation, a notice will be gazetted. The old ACOP will be revoked 28 days later. The new suite of guidance will become the primary guidance for the management and removal of asbestos and will be published in its entirety on WorkSafe’s website (note – some of the above guidance that does not overlap with ACOP content has already been published).

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