Our approach to compliance

Motor vehicle traders, vehicle distributors, and private sellers have a duty to comply with Vehicle Emissions and Energy Economy Labelling Regulations in New Zealand. EECA’s approach to promoting compliance focuses on four key activities. 

Compliance activities

  • Education

    EECA will provide guidance, information and support to help regulated parties understand: 

    • their legal obligations  
    • relevant legislation 
    • EECA guidance and interpretation  
    • the processes and tools available to support compliance.  

  • Surveying, monitoring and inspecting

    EECA monitors  compliance through our labelling inspections and targeted online checks. We conduct on-site and online checks to assess compliance with Vehicle Emissions and Energy Economy Labelling requirements. 

  • Investigation

    EECA may investigate where non-compliance is suspected. Investigations help establish the facts and determine whether further action is required.

  • Intervention and Enforcement

    Where non-compliance is identified or suspected, EECA may take proportionate action to address the issue and prevent ongoing non-compliance. Depending on the circumstances, this may include providing advice, issuing a failure-to-comply notice, issuing a warning, or pursuing prosecution. A successful prosecution can result in a fine of up to $5,000 per offence (per vehicle). 

    EECA may publish: 

    • warning letters  
    • prosecutions  
    • outcomes of enforcement action.  

We focus on impact

We target our compliance activities where they are likely to have the greatest impact, taking into account factors such as potential harm, intelligence, previous compliance history and emerging market risks. 

How to comply with regulations

Find out your legal obligations to display a Vehicle Emissions and Energy Economy Label if you sell or distribute vehicles.

  • Motor vehicle traders

    Motor vehicle traders are required to display Vehicle Emissions and Energy Economy Labels. Find out if this applies to you, and what your obligations are.

  • New vehicle distributors

    If you display a vehicle to promote sales to the public, you have to comply with Vehicle Emissions and Energy Economy Labelling requirements. Find out your obligations.

  • Private sellers

    If you're selling a vehicle online, you need to show Vehicle Emissions and Energy Economy Label information on your web advertising. Find out your obligations.

  • Log a complaint of non-compliance 

    Let us know if you believe a business or individual is not complying with the  Vehicle Energy Economy Labelling Regulations. 

    Report non-compliance 

EECA compliance policy