Under the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) programme, New Zealand and Australia regulate the energy efficiency of products in both countries. The Regulations cover products for home, commercial and industrial use.  

Energy efficiency — using less energy for the same task  — can play an important part in achieving New Zealand’s energy security goals, cutting costs for consumers, and reducing pressure on the grid.  

Cabinet has agreed to update or introduce minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and mandatory energy performance labelling (MEPL) requirements on 10 products like heat pumps, and refrigerators. 

With updated minimum performance standards and labelling in place, consumers will have better access to information on the energy performance of their household products, helping New Zealanders to make informed decisions when purchasing new appliances.  

The new requirements will come into effect on 1 May 2026 and support the Government’s broader work to modernise New Zealand’s energy efficiency regime.

Read the news story: Boosting energy efficiency and solar uptake | MBIE(external link)

Read the legislation in full(external link) 

A table showing which product classes are being added/updated is below, and we will be making amendments to all relevant pages on the EECA website in the coming week. To be notified when they are available, please sign up for Efficient products newsletter, here: Sign up for news | EECA

 

Product class

Summary of changes
Air conditioners above 65kW Introduction of MEPS and voluntary Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating system to Align with the requirements in AU, which commenced on 1 October 2022.
Clothes washing machines Updated test method for some products (capacity of 10kg+)
Dishwashers Updated test method for some products
Clothes dryers Updated test method for some products
Household refrigerating appliances New test standard (IEC based), new MEPS and new ERL.
Three phase electric motors New test standards (IEEE, and IEC based), new MEPS.
External power supplies Introduce regulatory labelling and introduce a designated efficiency level (Mark VI) to recognise higher efficiency products in the market, in line with those adopted in Australia in 2014.
Tubular fluorescent lamps Minor technical update to remove tubular fluorescent lamps of a specialised nature that are supplied in very low volumes therefore no longer warranting regulation.
Chillers Minor technical update excluded certain chillers (liquid chilling packages).
Close control air conditioner Minor technical update to remove from regulation a certain low volume close control air conditioner used in computer rooms.