Fridges and Freezers
Minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) apply to all refrigerators and they must display energy rating labels when displayed for sale.
Refrigerators delivered directly to customers need not display a label but must contain a label (and instructions for application) within or on the packaging. For stainless steel products, a label may be a single sided non rotating swing tag, or double sided rotating swing tag.
Importers and manufacturers are responsible for printing and supply of labels.
New refrigerator standard and changes to labelling
As part of the ongoing work of the trans-Tasman equipment energy efficiency programme (E3), EECA and the Australian government agencies responsible for product energy efficiency, are considering a revision to the Standards for refrigerators and freezers. >> Read more about this proposal.
Registration*
All products must be registered and undergo a performance test. New Zealand operates a joint energy efficiency programme with Australia, sharing standards and a website. Models registered in Australia do not need extra registration to be sold in New Zealand.
It’s free to register products. To check which products are registered see the Australian energy rating website.
Standards
Revision to Standard for refrigerators and freezers effective from 1 April 2008
A revision to the Standard for refrigerators and freezers has now been incorporated into the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 (the Regulations). As of 1 April 2008, the following Standards are now cited in the Regulations:
- Part 1 of the Standard: AS/NZS 4474.1:2007 - This replaces the previous Standard AS/NZS 4474.1:1997.
- Part 2 of the Standard: The Regulations now include Amendment 4 to AS/NZS 4474.2:2001 - This amendment to Part 2 is mostly a consequence of revisions to Part 1. There is also a clarification to the scope of products covered by the Standard. These are technical changes and will not alter the levels for minimum energy performance standards or energy rating labels.
EECA now requires new products to comply with the updated Standards prior to being listed as eligible for sale. The revised Standards are available from Standards New Zealand.
A discussion paper documenting the impact of the revision to the test method was released for industry and public comment in November 2007. It is available here:
>> Download the discussion paper on the changes to the test method and their impact [PDF 816 KB]
Exemptions
There are no exemptions to MEPS for refrigerators.
Sales data
In order to track the effectiveness of energy rating labels and MEPS, importers and manufacturers are required to supply EECA with annual sales data and efficiency information.
* Although the term ‘registration’ is used here, the legal requirement in New Zealand is to ‘complete and submit the prescribed forms’. Requirements to register apply only to suppliers in Australia, but completing and submitting the forms on the online database at www.energyrating.gov.au to the New Zealand regulator fulfils requirements here.