New meth testing standard

New Zealanders will be able to better manage the risks of methamphetamine in residential properties following the release of a new standard.

Building and Construction Minister Dr Nick Smith and Commerce said it was huge step forward in helping landlords and tenants deal with the risk of meth contamination.

The most significant change is the new standard being lifted to 1.5g/100cm2 limit, as compared to 0.5g/100cm2 under the old guidelines.

“The new standard is a huge step forward in helping home owners and tenants deal with the risks of methamphetamine contamination. It will give people greater confidence and certainty, will result in hundreds fewer properties having to be vacated and save millions in unnecessary decontamination work,” Dr Smith says.

“The major gain from the new standard is having clear methods for sampling and testing, and competency requirements for samplers and decontamination contractors.”

The new standard will form an important part of new legislation introduced to the Parliament last month.

“The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill (No 2) gives landlords the right to test for meth and enables tenancy agreements to be terminated when levels are unsafe. The new standard will be referenced in the regulations and will become legally enforceable when the Bill is passed later this year.”

21 committee members from the private and public sector contributed to forming the new standard for Standards New Zealand.

“Standards New Zealand follows a robust process in developing all standards, in line with the Standards and Accreditation Act 2015, Smith said.