Regulatory steps for importers and manufacturers
If you are an importer or New Zealand manufacturer of appliances or products that are regulated for energy efficiency, there are some legal requirements that you must meet. This section outlines how to comply with those requirements.
Familiarising yourself with product standards
For each product included in the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002, there are product standards that give detailed requirements for the different products, including:
- The scope and any exemptions
- The test method required to determine a product's energy performance
- Minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and/or energy rating label requirements.
It is worth making yourself familiar with the product standards, which can be purchased from Standards New Zealand.
How to meet regulatory requirements - overview
To legally sell any product included in the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 in New Zealand, you must complete the following steps.
1. Product testing
Product testing proves the energy performance of a product. It demonstrates whether a product meets minimum energy performance standards (if required), and determines what is declared on a product's energy rating label (if required). You need a test report in order to register a product.
Your product must be tested according to requirements described in the relevant product standard.
Find out more about laboratory testing.
2. Labelling (if required)
If required, your product must display an energy rating label when it is made available for sale.
The label must be correct and accurate, and in the format and position specified in the relevant product standard.
Find out more about labelling.
3. Product registration
A product must be properly registered before it can be made available for sale.
You apply to register a product by completing an on-line application form on the energy rating website. You need a copy of the test report, and it is also recommended that you provide a copy of the energy rating label (if required).
Make a note of the registration number - you'll need this for any correspondence with EECA, and your annual sales data reporting.
Find out more about product registration.
4. Annual statistical information
Importers and New Zealand manufacturers of products covered by energy efficiency regulations must provide statistical information on sales, import and export data annually to EECA. This is used to help measure the shift in product efficiency over time.
Data needs to be submitted each year by 1 August for the period 1 April to 31 March. For example: 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 needs to be received by 1 August 2011.
Find out more about providing annual statistical information.
More information
