Electrical appliances and fittings

New Zealand’s regulatory framework requires every electrical appliance or fitting that is sold, or offered for sale to be safe. The principal provisions are implemented throughout the appliance distribution chain. This also includes safe disposal of electrical products. These rules apply to manufacturers, importers and all sellers.

The framework applies three levels of regulatory intervention depending on the assessed product safety risks.

High risk level intervention in accordance with ISO/IEC guide 67.

Medium risk level implementing a requirement for supplier declarations in accordance with ISO/IEC 17050 accompanied by a test report.

Other products requiring compliance with fundamental safety generally demonstrated by compliance with a recognised Standard.

All three levels of intervention provide for the recognition of:

• suitable alternative Standards
• international accreditation systems and
• MRAs with New Zealand’s trading partners.

Recognised Standards based on international guidelines are provided in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010, Schedule 4, for the most common products. An essential safety standard is provided to address innovative products and meet the performance-based expectations that WTO place on the Regulations. While the recognised Standards are listed in Schedule 4, the list of products in the Medium and High risk categories is set by Gazette notices published on the Energy Safety website.

The product compliance framework of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 is designed to operate alongside New Zealand’s general consumer protection legislation: The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and The Fair Trading Act 1986.