The Role of an Accredited Person
An Accredited Person (AP) is an individual who has been authorised by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to carry out regulated biosecurity activities on behalf of a business. These activities include — depending on their specific accreditation — inspections of imported goods, treatments such as fumigation, and the clearance of consignments at the border.
The AP system exists because MPI cannot inspect every consignment that enters New Zealand. Accredited Persons allow MPI to extend the reach of the biosecurity system through trusted, qualified individuals operating within businesses across the supply chain.
An AP acts on behalf of MPI when they carry out regulated activities. This is a significant responsibility — and one that requires formal training, assessment, and ongoing authorisation to maintain.
What Activities Require an Accredited Person?
Not all biosecurity activities require an AP — but several critical ones do. Depending on your industry and the nature of your imports, you may need an AP to:
- Inspect imported goods under an Import Health Standard (IHS)
- Carry out or supervise biosecurity treatments (e.g. fumigation, heat treatment)
- Issue phytosanitary certificates for exports
- Conduct transitional facility operations (approved premises where imported goods are held pending clearance)
- Carry out forestry or wood products clearance procedures
The specific activities an AP is authorised to perform depend on the type of accreditation they hold. There are multiple AP categories, each covering a different scope of work.
Which Businesses Need an Accredited Person?
Your business may need an AP if you operate in any of the following areas:
- Freight and logistics — handling, storing, or transporting imported goods subject to biosecurity conditions
- Horticulture and primary industries — importing plant material, seeds, or produce, or exporting goods that require phytosanitary certification
- Transitional facilities — operating a cold store, container terminal, or other facility where imported goods are held before clearance
- Fumigation and treatment providers — carrying out MPI-regulated treatments on imported goods
- Timber and wood products — importing or processing timber subject to Import Health Standards
If you are unsure whether your business needs an AP, the safest approach is to check directly with MPI or speak with QCONZ, who deliver the AP training programme and can advise on whether accreditation applies to your operations.
How to Become an Accredited Person
Becoming an AP involves formal training, assessment, and application to MPI for authorisation. The process typically follows these steps:
- Confirm your AP category — identify which type of AP accreditation your role requires based on the activities you'll perform
- Complete the AP training programme — QCONZ delivers the recognised AP training for New Zealand, covering biosecurity legislation, inspection procedures, risk assessment, and record-keeping
- Pass the assessment — training includes a formal assessment to demonstrate competency
- Apply to MPI for authorisation — once training is complete, your business applies to MPI to have you formally recognised as an Accredited Person
- Maintain your accreditation — APs are subject to ongoing MPI oversight, including audits and recertification requirements
The QCONZ AP Training Programme
QCONZ is the recognised training provider for AP accreditation in New Zealand. Their programme is designed to meet MPI's requirements and prepare candidates for both the assessment and the practical realities of working as an Accredited Person.
Training covers:
- New Zealand's biosecurity legislative framework
- Inspection techniques and risk assessment
- Biosecurity treatments — types, application, and documentation
- Record-keeping and MPI reporting obligations
- Practical scenarios relevant to your AP category
Ready to Become an Accredited Person?
QCONZ delivers the AP training programme recognised by MPI. Enrol through the link below — and if you want to build foundational biosecurity knowledge first, start with our free courses.
AP Training via QCONZ View Free Biosecurity TrainingResponsibilities of an Accredited Person
Holding AP status comes with ongoing obligations. An AP must:
- Carry out regulated activities in accordance with MPI's requirements and any applicable Import Health Standards
- Maintain accurate records of all regulated activities
- Report findings to MPI as required — including any suspected pest or disease detections
- Comply with MPI audits and inspections
- Maintain their competency and recertify as required
An Accredited Person is not just a job title — it is a formal MPI authorisation that carries real responsibility. Businesses that rely on an AP must ensure that person is properly trained, current with their obligations, and operating within the scope of their accreditation.
What Happens if You Don't Have an AP When You Need One?
Operating without an AP when one is required is a breach of biosecurity law. Consequences can include:
- Goods being held or refused clearance at the border
- MPI enforcement action, including infringement notices and fines
- Loss of approved transitional facility status
- Reputational damage with customers and supply chain partners
The cost of getting AP accreditation in place is modest compared to the cost of a biosecurity compliance failure.