If you're a grower in NZ, you've likely heard about WorkSafe's new Restricted Entry Interval (REI) rules for pesticides that have taken effect on 10 June 2025. These changes affect how, when, and under what conditions people can enter treated areas after spraying. To keep things compliant and safe without creating extra paperwork, growers need to make sure they have the right tools in place.
What's changing
- REIs become legally enforceable
From 10 June, the new REIs published under the master decision are no longer just recommendations, they are binding. Growers must follow them when using pesticides. Use must follow label directions - The amended decision clarifies label use
The amended decision (signed late May) makes clear: the REI only applies if the pesticide is used according to its label's directions. If you go off-label, the protections tied to the new REIs don't necessarily apply under this decision. - Updated product-specific decisions
A number of pesticide products (Fluro, Luna Sensation, Luna Privilege, Sivanto Prime, among others) have had their decision documents revised so the REI figures remain the same, but with this explicit “label use” condition added. - Why this matters
For starters, it's the health & safety of you and your colleagues. The REIs are there to protect workers, contractors, visitors and others from exposure risks after sprays. But there's also compliance, auditability, and avoiding costly fines to take into account.
Mixing up or misreading an REI, or not tracking spray timings properly, could mean someone enters the treated area too early. With the legal changes, that risk is higher because the rules are stricter and enforceable. Plus, knowing exactly when re-entry is safe affects scheduling, labour allocation, and crop management.
How Agworld helps growers navigate these new rules
Agworld isn't just another farm record-keeping app, it has features built precisely for these sorts of shifts in regulation that help reduce the admin burden for growers by having to track when and what was sprayed. Here are some ways it supports growers under the new REI rules:
- Integrated Workflow
Agworld enables collaboration between growers and agronomists, streamlining workflow and information flow. Recommendations made by agronomists can be converted into spray records with a single click, automatically including all REI information. - Worker Protection Reports
Agworld provides reports such as “Do Not Enter / Active REI” (areas where entry is restricted), “Recent Applications” (last 30 days), and upcoming applications in the next 7 days. These help keep everyone safe by showing where re-entry is restricted, aiding in labour scheduling. - Compliance tracking tied to labels and application data
Accurate input records are essential under the new rules. Agworld allows growers to track pesticide use, crop details, label directions, spray times, and maintain an audit trail for compliance. - Mobile access and real-time visibility
Teams can access maps, spray histories, and REI status via mobile devices Teams can access maps, spray histories, and REI status via mobile devices, reducing guesswork. Staff, contractors, and advisors can see REI status in the Agworld app, helping prevent accidental entry into restricted areas. - Planning tools
Agworld offers planning tools for upcoming sprays, rotations, and labour schedules with REI in mind. Growers can plan operations to avoid conflicts with re-entry intervals and ensure clarity about which fields are off limits.
Takeaway
The REI change from 10 June adds clarity but also responsibility. Growers who adapt quickly by recording properly, planning carefully, and communicating clearly, will avoid unnecessary risk.
If you haven't already, now's a great time to review your spray practices, make sure your records line up with label directions, and get Agworld set up, so you've got the right reports and alerts in place before the start of the coming season.
