Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
The Workplace Relations Minister has announced consultation on safety regulations for chemical laboratories, and the use hydrogen technologies.
Brooke van Velden said universities build labs on upper floors to reduce access and keep evacuation routes clear, an approach supported by Fire and Emergency, but that goes against current regulations requiring labs handling flammable substances to be built on the ground floor.
"I'm developing these changes to ensure they are practical and effectively support New Zealand's science and technology sector. This includes assessing whether the current laboratory design and hazardous substances storage requirements work for their laboratories," van Velden said.
"We'll be consulting directly with the university laboratories and science and technology laboratories."
Cabinet is expected to make decisions on the changes in November.
Regulations about hydrogen storage, cryogenic liquid hydrogen and hydrogen filling stations are also being reviewed.
"Hydrogen technologies could transform sectors from transport to manufacturing, and these changes will help unlock that potential by removing regulatory barriers," van Velden said.
"Once agreed, these updates will remove unnecessary complexity and ensure the regulatory system better supports scientific research and emerging technologies. These changes will save time and costs for businesses and workers as we cut red tape to make it easier to do business."
Decisions are expected by the end of the year.
All changes resulting from the consultation on both laboratories and hydrogen are expected to be in place by mid-2026.
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