Applications – Who Can Apply?

The ACVM Group has had a number of enquiries in regards to whether an applicant from an overseas company can apply to license or register products. Under the current legislation (Animal Remedies Act 1967 and Pesticides Act 1979), any person may apply to license or register products providing that person is an individual residing in New Zealand or is an organisation incorporated in New Zealand. An applicant can appoint a representative to act on their behalf regarding an application. However, in this case a letter is required from the applicant giving authority to that representative.

In the future, under the Agriculture Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act, section 9 (1) states: ‘Any person may apply to the Director-General to register a trade name product unless…..’ (follows on about substances etc). However, applicants must also comply with section 24. 2(b) which states: ‘applicants must also supply the name and principal business address of each registrant and his or her New Zealand agent’.

A Reminder to Applicants...

It is possible to withdraw an application at any time up until a decision is made on it by the Decision Making Committee (DMC). Where products are withdrawn, a refund will be made of the ‘unused’ component of any fees paid. Applicants have exercised this option in situations where they have been advised that the application is deficient and unlikely to be approved by the DMC, or where the application appears not to support the claims made (and the resultant change in claim is not acceptable to the applicant).