About the minimal quantities exemption

In specific circumstances where very few products are being imported into New Zealand, importers and manufacturers may be exempt from registration and labelling requirements for their products, and an approved labelling exemption can be passed on to retailers of that product. 

Find out more about this exemption and submit an application if you are eligible. 

Apply for an exemption

Who is eligible for an exemption

Only importers and manufacturers can apply for an exemption. Retailers should ask their supplier for a copy of the approved exemption if the exemption applies to products they sell. 

A product model is defined as an item which has the same brand, model number and energy performance characteristics. Changing the model number does not create a new model in the context of the minimal quantities exemption.

Importers and manufacturers

Importers and manufacturers may be exempt from product registration and Mandatory Energy Performance Labeling requirements if they meet the following criteria:

  • the product is subject only to MEPL (applies to clothes washers and dishwashers).
  • no more than 50 units of the same model will be imported into or manufactured in New Zealand by anyone.
  • they have applied for a minimal quantities exemption and it has been approved. 

If the exemption has been approved, you don’t need to register your product or meet MEPL requirements, but manufacturers and importers must still provide sales data annually to EECA.

Providing sales data

Retailers

The products that retailers sell may be exempt from the Mandatory Energy Performance Labeling (MEPL) requirements if they meet the following criteria:

  • no more than 50 units of the same model will be imported into or manufactured in New Zealand by anyone and
  • the manufacturer or importer  have applied for a minimal quantities exemption and it has been approved. 

Apply for an exemption

Compliance with product regulations

Find out more about what you need to do to comply with the energy using product regulations in New Zealand.

  • Manufacturers and importers

    Find out your legal obligations if you import or manufacture regulated products in New Zealand.

  • Retailers

    Find out your legal obligations if you sell, hire, lease, or provide hire purchase of regulated products in New Zealand.