Standard for General Transitional Facilities for Uncleared Goods (TF Gen)

The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) issues this new standard in accordance with Section 39 of the Biosecurity Act (1993).

This Standard first became effective from 1 February 2009 and was amended and re-issued on 1 September 2011.

The standard is divided into two documents.

1. The Standard (PDF version Link to PDF document (109 KB), Word version Link to Word document (586 KB)) outlines basic minimum requirements for facilities to follow.

2. The Guidance Document contains information on how to meet the requirements of the Standard to an acceptable level. Facilities may either choose to follow examples provided in the guidance document or develop their own systems of equivalence to meet MAF requirements. However, any systems of equivalence must be first approved by MAF before use. Word Link to Word document (2011 KB). PDF Link to PDF document (1224 KB).

As of 1 February 2009 this standard cancels and replaces the following standards

  • 152.04.03.F: 1998 - Requirements for holding and processing facilities (Class: Transitional Facilities) for uncleared risk goods;
  • BNZ-STD-TFSCO - MAF Standard: Requirements for Transitional Facilities for sea containers;
  • PBC-NZ-STD-FACIL-FLIGHT - MAF Biosecurity Authority Facility and Operator Standard: Requirements for flight kitchens (Class: Transitional Facilities);
  • PBC-NZ-STD-FACIL-REFUSE - Requirements for incineration/ sterilisation facilities (Class: Transitional Facilities) for quarantine refuse or uncleared risk goods, and;
  • 154.02.18 – Transitional Facilities for Animal Products.

To assist facilities with meeting the new requirements for operating manuals templates have been designed

  • Template operating manual for risk goods facilities. Word Link to Word document (83 KB). PDF Link to PDF document (162 KB).
  • Template operating manual for sea container only facilities. Word Link to Word document (67 KB). PDF Link to PDF document (147 KB).

To assist facilities with meeting the new requirements for internal self assessments, a template self assessment check sheet has been designed. Word Link to Word document (81 KB). PDF Link to PDF document (137 KB).

For all matters relating to the operation of the new standard contact a MAF Inspector in the Operations and Facilities Group on the details below:

List of other office contact details.

For all matters relating to the review and amendment of this standard contact a Senior Adviser within the Operations and Facilities Group on the details below:

  • Biosecurity Operational Standards and Systems
    PO Box 2526
    Wellington 6011
    Phone: 04 894 0100
    Fax: 04 894 0662
    Email: standards@maf.govt.nz

Information from the public information sessions

MAF periodically review the Operational Standard, General Transitional Facilities for Uncleared Goods (BNZ-STD-TFGEN). The most recent amendment and re-issue of the Standard, and associated Guidance Document became effective from 1 September 2011.

Page last updated: 8 September 2011