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Current work relating to standards and conformance

We lead policy on standards and conformance.  We participate on trade agreements that relate to standards and conformance with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, including:

  • The World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement,
  • ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality,
  • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC),
  • Closer economic partnerships and free trade agreements.

 

We have recently finished a review of the standards and conformance infrastructure, and have another project underway.

 

 

System review of standards and conformance

This review considered how the standards and conformance system contributes to, and improves the competitiveness of, New Zealand industry, while meeting government objectives.

The review was a response to rapid technological change and the development of a rules-based international trading system through the World Trade Organization.  These developments increase the need for the standards and conformance system to quickly adapt to international changes.

The purpose of the review was to:

  • Evaluate New Zealand's standards and conformance system against its specific needs, international trends and emerging new models.
  • Evaluate how the standards and conformance system contributes to, and improves the competitiveness of, New Zealand suppliers of products and services, in the context of improved market access, innovation and quality.
  • Identify any other issues that may need to be addressed to enhance the contributions made by the standards and conformance system towards achieving the government's objectives.

 

The review was undertaken in two parts.  Summary reports are available below.

Part one involved an assessment of the extent to which the current system can support the government's broad objectives. An international literature survey of best practice information was completed.

Part two involved an assessment of the system's strengths and weaknesses.

Public consultation was undertaken in 2006.  Submissions received were published the following year.  Analysis of the review and consultation led to the Standards and Accreditation Bill 2008.

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Standardisation study

Standardisation has a number of potential benefits for business.

Standards can shape and drive innovation by giving businesses the tools they need to gain maximum benefit from the development of innovative, new products.

We are examining these implications and possibilities within a New Zealand context by studying the role of standards in innovation. Our study will take up where the review of the standards and conformance infrastructure left off.

Findings will be incorporated into the broader review of the standards and conformance system.

 

Standards and Accreditation Bill

This bill is currently before Parliament to replace and bring together the Standards Act 1988 and the Testing Laboratory Registration Act 1972.

The Bill will bring together and make changes to the governance structures of the Standards Council and the Testing Laboratory Registration Council. Primarily to reduce the size of both governing boards, the Bill will clearly separate governance within both Crown entities from technical advisory functions.

The Bill will also update the names of both entities to the names they are best known by in the market - Standards New Zealand and International Accreditation New Zealand.  This will remove confusion.

 

Find out more

Standards and Accreditation Bill 2008

 

Last updated 7 December 2011