In New Zealand, the three major issues facing the wood preservation industry today are: Extension of use of LOSP preservatives, chiefly tributyltin naphthenate, for treatment of products in Hazard Class H3 exposed to the weather for which LOSP have not been traditionally used. Concerns have been expressed about the long-term durability of such products. Restrictions on the use of CCA preservatives in USA and Europe have prompted enquiry into public health issues over the use of CCA treated timber. An investigation by the NZ Environmental Risk Management Authority found that the risk to health from exposure to CCA-treated wood was negligible. Widespread failure through decay of untreated kiln-dried radiata pine framing in constructions with monolithic or face-sealed claddings caused by rain penetration through the claddings. As a result there is a considerable amount of research underway to identify types of preservative treatments to protect framing from decay when subjected to limited rain wetting. Results to date have lead to proposed revision of NZ wood preservation standards.

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