All electrical products sold in New Zealand need to meet recognised standards and regulations. Evidence can be produced by accredited laboratories, which can be found in the IANZ directory.

Recognised standards for all commonly available electrical products are listed in Schedule 4 of the Regulations.(external link)

Where a specific standard is not available, then AS/NZ 3820 - Essential Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment from Schedule 2 of the Regulations(external link), may be applied. 

Evidence of electrical product compliance

Recognised test reports showing how a product complies with the applicable standard and certified by a recognised test laboratory or certification to the same standard, is recognised by the regulations as proof of compliance with the safety fundamentals.

Many of the recognised standards are variations of international Standards. The variations are required to meet New Zealand’s particular safety and “environmental” requirements and address such things as language, voltage, frequency and plugs.

The Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 permits the use of other standards that are identical or have explicit relationships with the recognised standards by recognising test reports that demonstrate how a product complies with the recognised standard.

Testing laboratories

For test reports to be recognised for compliance with New Zealand’s electrical Safety Standards, the test reports must have been produced by a testing laboratory which has been accredited by either International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) or National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) or in accordance with one of New Zealand’s Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs).

Accredited laboratories located in New Zealand may be found by searching the IANZ directory(external link) using the following instructions:

1. Select “Search for a testing inspection facility”
2. Use the top drop-down box to select LAB-ELEC (electrical testing)
3. Leave the other drop-down boxes blank
4. Click “Go”

This will provide you with a list of IANZ accredited testing laboratories.

Test reports to International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) Standards are also acceptable from IEC CB scheme members.

New Zealand’s MRAs with the below all contain provision for the accreditation of testing laboratories:

• The European Union (EU)
• Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Electrical Equipment (EE) MRA part 2 members
• Singapore
• Taiwan