Growsafe Registered Chemical Applicator

Who should have this certificate?

This certificate is for ground sprayers who spray for hire or reward.  If you specialise in the application of agrichemicals - amenity, conservation, horticulture, agriculture, forestry or any other industry - then you should consider becoming a Registered Chemical Applicator (RCA).  It is the highest standard/qualification that a ground applicator can hold.

Our decision tree for contractors  will help you identify whether RCA is the appropriate Growsafe certificate for you and your staff.

Benefits of the certificate

Holders of the RCA certificate are able to:
  • implement and monitor spray plans
  • provide direction to staff applying agrichemicals
  • make day-to-day decisions in relation to agrichemical application
  • apply agrichemicals in a safe, responsible and effective way with minimal adverse impact on human, environmental and animal health
  • meet obligations under the Hazardous Substance and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO), the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and associated regulations, the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997 (ACVM Act); including the requirements of your local regional plan.
Many regional plans specify that contractors hold a Growsafe RCA certificate or equivalent training.  In many cases, contracts for spraying will specify that the on-site supervisor is a Growsafe Registered Chemical Applicator.


From 1 December 2017, it is a national requirement that all contractors using motorised equipment to spray highly ecotoxic substances (class 9.1A, 9.2A, 9.3A, 9.4A or environmental hazards GHS hazard category 1, hazardous to terrestrial environment and very toxic to soil, vertebrates or invertebrates) are RCA certified or similar.

New RCAs

To achieve RCA certification you need:
  • NZ Certificate in Agrichemical Application  or the previous National Certificate in Agrichemical Application (until early 2020)
  • Certified Handler Test Certificate (only required if using class 6.1A or B products, acute toxicity GHS category 1 and 2)
  • evidence of 200 hours of practical spraying experience covering all strands being applied for
  • Growsafe Standard certificate (or Introductory if completed prior to 1 January 2018).
Getting started on RCA training

To get started on your RCA, you need to begin study towards your New Zealand Certificate in Agrichemical Application.  This study will take up to 12 months depending on your current level of knowledge and skills.  The NZCAA is delivered by  Connexis  (0800 486 626 or contact your local account manager).  On enrolment, Connexis will provide you with the learning plan and a folder of resources and assessments for you to work your way through.  If you would like to get some additional hands-on training then many Growsafe trainers (such as Shane Harris and Dean Bowden) will be able to help you out on either on an individual basis or potentially put together a group to go through the material.  The new NZCAA has been available since early 2020. 

Are you an experienced spray contractor seeking RCA?

An APA (Advanced Portfolio Assessment) option is available for the NZCAA which may be useful if you have been spraying for some time and believe you are competent to the required level.  Instead of being required to complete individual assessments for each of the unit standards, this will involve putting together a portfolio of evidence for the Connexis assessor.  You may still need to do some training to fill in some gaps in knowledge.  This option may be suitable for contractors working in the horticulture sector who have previously not completed the NZCAA due to the absence of a horticultural strand.  The new NZCAA has a strand for tree and vine application.

Applying for your RCA certification

When you have completed your NZCAA, you apply to Growsafe for your RCA certificate by completing the application form and providing a copy of your NZCAA certificate and spraying experience. Here you can find full details of the process.  Once your certificate is issued, your name will be added to the Growsafe register and made publicly available on our website.

Renewal of RCAs

A Growsafe RCA certificate is valid for 5 years, at which time it can be renewed.  This is because laws, technology and best practice are constantly changing.  While you can read and hear about these changes yourself, your customers and the regulators require evidence that you are up-to-date. Growsafe will contact you when your RCA is due for renewal - please ensure your contact details are up-to-date.  Email us on info@growsafe.co.nz if you have not heard from us and wish to initiate an audit. Or complete our renewal application form  and send to us.

Link to Professional Development Points info »

 

RCA renewal only
Renewal involves two elements:
  • an on-site audit by an independent third party auditor using a checklist prepared by Growsafe. As part of the audit, you will need to demonstrate that you have undertaken a review of your own operations; and
  • evidence of professional development during the previous 5years. The expectation is that you have engaged in at least three Growsafe-recognised events such as industry seminar or workshops, totalling approximately 8-9 hours. Growsafe has developed some online options as an option to enable professional development requirements to be met.

Renewal of your certificate must be done within 6 months of expiry of your certificate.  It usually takes place in June/July each year.  QCONZ has been contracted by Growsafe to undertake audits for RCA renewal.

RCA renewal and Certified Handler certificate

If you use class 6.1A or B products (eg Paraquat, Meteor, Gramoxone), you need to have a Certified Handler certificate as well as an RCA. Both of these certificates require a site visit to check your agrichemical operation. We recommend that you align the renewal dates of these two certificates so that you can be checked for both certificates at a single site visit. A Compliance Certifier registered with WorkSafe is required to issue the Certified Handler certificate. Growsafe has endorsed a number of Compliance Certifiers to undertake the RCA site visits using an approved checklist.  Only these Growsafe-endorsed Compliance Certifiers are able to approve both the RCA renewal and the Certified Handler certificate.  Note that the requirement for evidence of professional development is also required for the RCA renewal.

Growsafe-endorsed Compliance Certifiers
Andrew Saunders andrew@verticalhorizonz.co.nz Based north of Auckland
Grant Beare info@educhem.co.nz Based in Auckland
Shane Harris info@harristraining.co.nz Based in top of South Island

Transfer from Rural Contractors
If you currently hold an RCA issued by Rural Contractors then you will transfer to a Growsafe RCA on renewal. You will need to meet the requirements for renewal as set out in the Growsafe scheme ie a site visit and professional development. If you hold an Approved Handler certificate which expires before your RCA and you need to obtain a Certified Handler certificate, then as set out above, we recommend you align the renewal dates and renew both certificates whenever the first of them expires.