Step 3: Registration
If you import or manufacture a product that is regulated for energy efficiency, it must be properly registered before it can be legally sold.
All regulated products have to be registered
All products covered by energy efficiency regulations must be properly registered to be sold in New Zealand.
If a product is already registered by an Australian regulator it does not need to be registered again in New Zealand to be sold in here, provided the model and brand are identical to the product registered in Australia.
All other product models must be registered for sale in New Zealand as described on this page.
Note: If you are intending to sell a product both in Australia and New Zealand EECA recommends registering the product with an Australian regulator. This registration will then be recognised in both Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand registrations are not recognised by Australian regulators under energy efficiency regulations in Australia.
What you will need to register a product
A company must have a registered office in New Zealand to legally register products here.
To register a product, you will need:
- The brand, make and model of your product.
- An electronic copy of the laboratory test report - for more information, see Step one: Testing.
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An electronic copy of the energy rating label (if your product is required to have one). It is not compulsory to provide this, but it is recommended.
Applying to register a product
You need to complete an online application to register a product for sale in New Zealand. This is free, and it is done through the energy rating website.
You will need to:
- Set up a user account (if you don't already have one - see the FAQs below for more information on setting up a user account).
- Complete the online application.
- Submit your online application.
Your application can only be processed by EECA once all the required information is provided.
Once the application has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email and the product models included in the online application will be listed on the energy rating website.
Make a note of the registration number
When your registration is processed and accepted you will be given a product registration number. It is worth making a note of the number as you will need it when reporting annual sales data. Find out more about reporting annual data.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to the information that is submitted for product registration?
Product information becomes available on a publicly viewable webpage on the energy rating website. Other details are held by EECA and are used only for administration and communication between EECA and your company.
Does each product model have to be registered?
Each product model (or product "family") must be registered. Generally a separate registration is required for each different product model.
There are some instances where products can be groups together as a "family" in a single application. The exact definition for a product family is given in the relevant product standard but, in general, products may be registered as a family if:
- Each product has the same physical characteristics (e.g. size, shape).
- Each product has the same energy performance and test report.
Note, however, that if one product fails a "check-test" (see FAQ below for more information), the registration is cancelled for the whole family of products.
How do I set up a user account?
To apply to register a product, you need to set up a user account on the energy rating website. This is free, and simple to do.
You will be asked for:
- Company contact details.
- Individual contact details. This should be the main person dealing with product registration.
- An email address. This is where EECA sends updates to about the products application, and any future notices about upcoming changes to the Standards and regulations. You may wish to set up a generic email address, in case you leave the company - e.g. regs@company.co.nz.
- A website address (optional).
You will be given a user-name and password. These are used to log-in and apply to register a product, or update your details, so make a note of them.
You may wish to share the user name and password with somebody else in your organisation if/when you are off sick or you leave the company.
What if I get an error message when applying online?
There are two error messages you may come across while applying online to register your product.
- Warnings. This is usually a prompt for you to check the data you entered as it appears to be wrong. Applications with warning can still be submitted.
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Fatal errors. If the information you enter does not meet the required criteria, the system will flag it as a fatal error. You will also get an error message if you have left required fields empty. Applications with fatal errors cannot be submitted until they are corrected.
How are applications for product registration processed?
EECA checks product registration applications to ensure they have been completed properly, at which point they are accepted.
Note that responsibility for ensuring that the information provided is a complete, accurate and true lies with the applicant.
Applications can only be processed once all the required or requested information has been provided.
Once EECA has processed your application, you will receive an automated email notifying you whether your application has been accepted. The email will include a product registration/ID number - make a note of this, as you'll need it when reporting annual sales data to EECA.
How long are product registrations valid for?
A product's registration remains valid for as long as it meets the requirements specified in the product standard/s referenced in the current regulations, unless it fails check-testing (see below for more information).
What if product standards are updated?
From time to time product standards may be changed or updated, following appropriate consultation and notification. This typically would be to change the test method, the MEPS level, or the energy rating label.
Once a change takes effect in regulation, transitional arrangements would allow you to sell off stock already in New Zealand.
In some cases, you may need to update your product registration as a result of product standard updates. If this is the case, EECA will notify you of what needs to happen and provide guidance on how to do it.
To find out what changes and updates are currently being proposed, visit the proposed product standards and strategies page.
Do you check if the actual energy performance matches what is claimed? (Check-testing)
Periodically, EECA and/or its Australian Government equivalents will select products to be check-tested to ensure that the actual energy performance matches what is claimed in that model's registration.
If a product fails check-testing, you may no longer be able to sell it. Details on this process can be found on the energy rating website, or by contacting EECA.
What if I want to export a registered product to Australia?
New Zealand registrations are not recognised by Australian regulators under energy efficiency regulations in Australia.
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangements (TTMRA), which facilitate trans-Tasman trade, do have provisions to allow New Zealand importers and manufacturers to sell products in Australia without registering again in Australia. For more information, go to the Ministry of Economic Development website.
However EECA recommends that if you are considering selling products in Australia that you register them with an Australian regulator. This registration will then be recognised in both Australia and New Zealand.
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