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Changes to an approved facility might be minor or significant

If you want to make a change to your facility, you need to decide whether the change is a minor or significant amendment/variations.

We explain the differences on this web page.

  • A significant amendment may be changes to your location or existing building, changing the types of goods you import or the countries they came from or changes to your operator or facility roles and responsibilities. For significant change, you must notify MPI.
  • For minor changes, you must record and discuss with an inspector during the next visit.

Significant changes to the facility

Facilities are approved to do certain activities outlined in your operating manual which will be assessed as part out your initial verification. Changes to the scope of activities described in your manual must be approved by MPI.

If you are making structural changes to your facility, you will need to update your operating manual and site plan to reflect those changes and confirm that any potential new biosecurity risk is managed. It is likely you will need to apply for an amendment to your approved facility through the online portal.

You must tell MPI if you plan to change the operation of an existing facility. This includes changing:

  • staff responsibilities i.e., changing an operator or the nominated delegate
  • the premises i.e., modification to the physical or structural nature of the premise where the facility is located – this requires a move of address not an amendment
  • the type of uncleared goods. i.e., importing different types of goods, importing from a different country than previous approved

To change a facility operator, you need to apply to MPI for approval.

Find out how to get approval for a facility operator

Some examples of significant changes

  • change of employees with transitional facility responsibilities – operator
  • modifications to the physical structure / nature of premises
  • scope of imported goods
  • changes to site plan

Minor changes to facility

Any changes that do not impact the management of biosecurity risks at the facility are considered as minor. These should be recorded and discussed with an inspector at the next MPI visit.

Some examples for minor changes

  • minor corrections to the operating manual
  • update to AP / Op training
  • change of biosecurity treatment provider
  • change of biosecurity waste provider

For facilities receiving sea containers or general risk goods use the Standard for transitional facilities for general uncleared risk goods (TFGEN).

For all other types of facility, search for the relevant standard.

Search for the appropriate facility standard

Partial or total cancellation of facility approval

To cancel part or all of a facility approval, complete the Facility cancellation form and send it to facilityapprovals@mpi.govt.nz.

Facility cancellation form [PDF, 551 KB]

If you have an existing facility and no longer need approval, the operator must notify facilityapprovals@mpi.govt.nz who will make sure that any risk goods are dealt with correctly.

Who to contact at MPI

If you have any questions that you need to talk through with our biosecurity team:

MPI business units