Retail NZ, the country’s leading retail advocacy group, has come out in support of the government’s new safety bill, heralding the benefits it could bring to retailers.

The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament. NZ Retail CEO Carolyn Young said it’s the “first step” to providing clarity about the obligations retailers have regarding health and safety.

“Several Retail NZ members have expressed confusion in the past around health and safety guidance and its appropriateness in their specific settings,” Young said.  

“This bill, if passed, would give greater certainty to businesses by providing tailored, industry-specific guidance and support through the updating and strengthening of Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs).” 

The proposed bill was introduced by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden.

“The legislation would also mean small businesses would not be required to meet the same health and safety requirements as larger companies. We look forward to consulting on this further with our members, to help formulate our submission on this bill,” Young added.

“We are encouraged that this government has turned its focus to updating Workplace health and safety legislation, with staff and customer safety an issue retailers take seriously.”