Description

These regulations cover appliances and other products for home, commercial, and industrial use. Regulated products (or assemblies that incorporate a regulated product) need to meet:

• Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), developed to remove poor performing products from the market and/or
• Mandatory Energy Performance Labeling (MEPL) requirements, so people can compare energy efficiency and running costs when deciding what to buy.

Failure to comply with the Regulations can result in a penalty of up to $10,000 per offence (product sold). 

To legally sell, hire, lease, or provide hire purchase of regulated products in New Zealand, you must make sure the product meets specific requirements:

• A product with Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) requirements must perform at least as efficiently as required by the relevant Standard.
• A product with Mandatory Energy Performance Labeling (MEPL) requirements must have the label attached when on display and included with each of those products that you sell.

Although the MEPS requirements are product-specific, they generally relate to setting a maximum amount of energy a product can use, or a minimum efficiency when tested to a particular Standard.

Scope

The regulations apply unless your product:

• isn’t covered by the Regulations
• has already been used by a consumer in New Zealand (second-hand products)
• meets conditions under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (note that manufacturers and importers are still required to provide sales data to EECA).