Transition requirements

The New Zealand Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 are being amended. An exact enforcement date cannot be provided at this time as the process of amending the Regulations is dependent on several regulatory process and legal requirements, but in the interim you must either:

  • meet the current regulation requirements, or
  • meet the new regulation requirements voluntarily.

Note that:

  • As the new MEPS levels are equivalent to the current MEPS level no action is required.
  • A minimum of 6 months notice will be provided via the Gazette before the enforcement date.

If you have any questions about the transition or the regulations, contact us at  star@eeca.govt.nz.

Key differences between the new and old regulations

There have been a number of changes:

  • MEPS levels have aligned with IE2 levels (IE3 for high efficiency),
  • test methods have been simplified to,
    • IEC 60034-2-1 Ed. 2.0 (Method 2-1-1B)
    • IEEE 112:2004 (USA) (Method B), or
    • IEEE 112:2017 (USA) (Method B).

What are the MEPS requirements?

There MEPS levels for three-phase electric motors have changed to align with IE2. 

See the IE2 Levels(external link)

What standards are applicable?

The amended New Zealand Regulations will have the same scope and technical specification as the Australian Determination with identical Standards. However, the transition requirements will be different in New Zealand.

Read the Australian Determination(external link)

Registration requirements

  • Registration is currently available to the new or old requirements in New Zealand. From the enforcement date the ability to register to the old requirements in New Zealand will be removed.
  • If a three-phase electric motor is registered in Australia, it can be sold in New Zealand without being registered in New Zealand. It must still meet the New Zealand Regulation requirements in order to be sold in New Zealand, including meeting New Zealand MEPS.
  • Products registered to the 2002 Regulations will remain approved after the enforcement date.