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Standards & conformance
A standards and conformance system makes it easier for consumers and producers to make informed decisions when buying or producing.
Standards are published documents that set out agreed specifications for products, processes, performance or services. Standards can cover safety, compatibility, performance, information and quality.
Conformance is judging whether a particular product, process or service meets a standard or complies with a regulatory requirement.
Our policy advice on maintaining an efficient standards and conformance infrastructure helps remove technical barriers to improve trade. Businesses use standards and conformance to support innovation and development, and compete locally and internationally.
The government, consumers and the community rely on standards and conformance to protect public health, safety and the environment.
In this area
Current work relating to standards and conformance
We have a number of projects underway relating to New Zealand's standards and conformance system.
Promoting innovation in New Zealand
A review into the role of standards development and standards and conformance infrastructure in promoting innovation was undertaken.
![[internal link] new zealand's standards and conformance system: a guide for business.](http://www.med.govt.nz/business/standards-conformance/sector-folder-contents/a-guide-for-business-thumbsmall.jpg "[internal link] new zealand's standards and conformance system: a guide for business.")
International issues
We advise the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on trade agreements that have a standards and conformance dimension, such as the World Trade Organisation Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement.
Organisations involved with the standards and conformance system
A range of organisations contribute to ensuring that New Zealand has an effective system of standards and conformance.
![[link to the New Zealand government website].](http://www.med.govt.nz/site-tools/footer-images/newzealand.govt.nz.png "[link to the New Zealand government website].")
![[link to the Companies Office website].](http://www.med.govt.nz/site-tools/footer-images/companies.govt.nz.png "[link to the Companies Office website].")
![[link to the business.govt.nz website].](http://www.med.govt.nz/site-tools/footer-images/business.govt.nz.png "[link to the business.govt.nz website].")
