The aim of ERMA was stated as: ERMA made decisions on applications under Part V of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, by evaluating risks, costs and benefits, placing conditions on approvals; and making decisions on transitional licences and other approvals.
The controls might include housing the organism or substance in a specially designed laboratory or they may be to wear protective equipment when handling a certain hazardous chemical.
The Authority's role was to manage risks to the environment and to public health, and they did this through their decision-making processes on applications.
When ERMA received an application to import a new organism or a new substance they weighed up the adverse and beneficial effects on society, the environment, public health etc.
and in many cases asked the general public to make submissions as to whether the new organism or substance should be allowed into New Zealand.