Step 1: Product testing
If you import or manufacture a product that is regulated for energy efficiency, the product must be tested to prove its energy performance.
Meeting product testing requirements
All products that included in energy efficiency regulations must be tested to show their energy performance.
The test report should allow you to prove in a Court of law, or to EECA on request at any time, that your product has been tested to and meets the requirements of the relevant product standards.
To meet product testing requirements, you must do the following things.
Test your product using the correct test method.
All regulated products must be tested using the test method described in the relevant product standard. Note that testing by any other method or standard is not sufficient.
Find out which product standards apply to particular products by following the relevant product link from the current product standards page.
Standards can be purchased from Standards New Zealand or SAI Global.
Get a full, energy performance laboratory test report.
Note that an electrical safety test report or CE certification is not sufficient.
Ensure your product meets MEPS levels (if required).
If a product is required to meet minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), these will be outlined in the relevant product standard.
To be legally sold in New Zealand, the product needs to perform at least as efficiently as the MEPS levels.
Your test report will usually tell you if your product meets the MEPS requirements.
Provide the test report when applying to register your product.
You must supply the whole document, or at least enough information to verify each piece of information required in the registration application - the front page of the test report alone is not sufficient.
It is highly recommended that you attach a copy of the test report when filling in your online application, to speed up the process. If you don't, EECA will automatically request a test report, and you will be legally required to provide it within five working days.
Frequently asked questions on product testing
How do I meet testing requirements if I'm not the manufacturer?
You can organise the testing yourself or ask the overseas manufacturer to provide you with a test report that clearly shows that your product meets the requirements of the relevant product standard.
Does the product have to be tested by a third party?
The energy efficiency regulations don't require product testing to be done by a third party.
This means that you can use your own test facility, use an appropriate third party test facility, or use an accredited third party testing facility such as an International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ), National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) or similar to test your product.
However, EECA strongly recommends using an accredited third party for product testing because of the quality assurance and validity it provides.
The quality and validity of the test report may be your defence if a case against your energy performance claim is ever taken to a court of law.
Where can I find a testing laboratory?
You need a testing laboratory that can test your product under the conditions described in the relevant product standard.
EECA recommends:
- Any laboratory that is accredited by IANZ - International Accreditation New Zealand, or NATA - National Association of Testing Authorities in Australia.
- Any overseas laboratory that International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) recognises as an ‘equivalent standard laboratory'.
EECA's products' programme uses laboratories accredited by NATA or IANZ for its regulatory enforcement activities. This means from time to time we select a sample range of models for a product and test them to make sure that they meet the legal requirements.
Download a list of test facilities.
How much does product testing cost?
The cost of testing varies depending on the type of product and the laboratory.
Are there any other testing requirements (e.g. safety)?
Energy efficiency regulations deal only with energy efficiency testing. Product suppliers and manufacturers must also ensure they are meeting requirements under any other regulations.
Next steps
More information
