Your Legal Obligation

Under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017, any business that disposes of hazardous substances must keep records of that disposal. Misfuelled fuel is classified as a Class 3.1 flammable liquid — a hazardous substance. If your workshop performs misfuel remediation, you are legally required to record what was disposed of, how, when, where, and how much.

The National Misfuel Register is the mechanism for meeting this obligation. NZIFDA certification is how you gain the authority to file on it.

Workshops file disposal events on the National Misfuel Register through certified compliant operators. NZIFDA operates a two-tier structure:

• Compliant Operators (Tier 1): The management layer — carries the NZIFDA Mark, files disposal events on the register, receives customer inquiries, allocates jobs, and manages compliance across their workshop network.
• Certified Workshops (Tier 2): Fixed-facility service delivery — performs remediation work and files through their Compliant Operator. Must operate under a Compliant Operator licence.
• Mobile Operators (Tier 2): On-site service delivery — performs fuel removal at the vehicle location and files through their Compliant Operator. Each mobile vehicle must be individually assessed and certified.

Workshops and mobile operators cannot file on the register independently — they must operate through a Compliant Operator. Register or access your account →

Disposal record-keeping is compulsory. Certification is how you comply:

• Register Access — authority to file disposal events on the National Misfuel Register, generating a Certificate of Compliance and a permanent disposal record with every filing
• Compliance Audit — independent verification of your facility, equipment, licensing, insurance, and processes against all applicable legislation
• Record Archiving — disposal records securely archived for the legally required minimum 3-year retention period under the Hazardous Substances Regulations 2017
• Insurance Documentation — every filing generates the Certificate of Compliance that insurers require for claims assessment
• WorkSafe Readiness — your hazardous substance disposal records are on the register and readily available for inspection
• The NZIFDA Mark — the nationally recognised mark confirming your compliance status, required by fuel stations and insurers as verification of lawful operations
• Ongoing Monitoring — regular auditing, regulatory updates, and training resources to keep your operations current with changes to legislation

Certification fees fund the compliance infrastructure that the law requires — audit, register access, secure archiving, and ongoing monitoring. Fee structures are tailored during onboarding. Start fee assessment →

Compliance Is Not Optional

Every misfuel remediation job — regardless of frequency — involves disposing of a Class 3.1 hazardous substance. The legal obligations are the same whether it is one job or one hundred: disposal must be recorded, records must be retained for a minimum of 3 years, transport of contaminated fuel must comply with the Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005, and waste disposal must meet EPA and MfE requirements.

Uncertified operators cannot file on the register and cannot produce this documentation. NZIFDA reports uncertified operators to WorkSafe NZ, the EPA, and regional councils for enforcement action.

NZIFDA only certifies operators who use manufacturer-prescribed fuel removal procedures. No vehicle manufacturer prescribes filler neck extraction — it does not appear in any service manual worldwide.

View OEM Standards Database → | Full Methodology Details →

1. Application Submission — complete and submit the certification application
2. Documentation Review — NZIFDA reviews your business documentation, licences, and insurance
3. Site Inspection — on-site inspection of your facilities and equipment
4. Compliance Verification — verification of all regulatory compliance requirements
5. Certification Approval — upon meeting all requirements, you receive the NZIFDA Mark
6. Ongoing Monitoring — regular compliance monitoring and renewal requirements

Get Certified to File on the Register

View the application process and certification requirements.