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Selling electrical and electronic products in New Zealand

In New Zealand, electrical products must be safe under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010, which WorkSafe's Energy Safety enforces. High-risk articles need approval or recognised certification, and medium-risk articles a supplier declaration of conformity. Radio and EMC compliance sits with Radio Spectrum Management, through a registered supplier, a declaration and the RCM or R-NZ mark.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Electrical safety
Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010
Who enforces
WorkSafe Energy Safety
Supply voltage
230 V, 50 Hz, with a New Zealand plug
Radio and EMC
Radiocommunications Act 1989, Radio Spectrum Management
Compliance mark
RCM, or R-NZ for some radio transmitters
Amended regulations
Compulsory from 12 November 2026

Before a product goes on sale

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Is the product a high-risk or medium-risk declared article, or another electrical product? Read more
  2. 2Is there an approval, a supplier declaration of conformity, or recognised certification? Read more
  3. 3Is it built and marked for 230 V, with a New Zealand plug? Read more
  4. 4What level of conformity applies for EMC and radio, and is there a declaration and test report? Read more
  5. 5Is the supplier registered, and is the product labelled with the RCM or R-NZ? Read more
  6. 6Does it use water, or contain button batteries? Read more
  7. 7Who acts, and who is told, if it turns out to be unsafe? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Electrical safety

The risk-based framework in the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010.

  • Everyone who makes, imports, sells, hires or leases electrical appliances or fittings in New Zealand must make sure they are safe, whether imported or made locally.
  • High-risk declared articles must be approved, or covered by recognised certification, before they are offered for sale; approvals are usually valid for up to five years.
  • Medium-risk declared articles need a supplier declaration of conformity in the ISO/IEC 17050 format, backed by evidence such as a test report, produced within 10 days when Energy Safety asks and available to purchasers.
  • The lists of high- and medium-risk articles are set by Gazette notices; other products must meet fundamental safety, generally shown by compliance with a standard listed in Schedule 4, or AS/NZS 3820 where no specific standard exists.
  • Portable appliances for general consumer use must have a plug suitable for New Zealand, be safe at 230 V, 50 Hz, and be marked 230 V or with a range that includes it.
  • Where an imported product is listed on the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) database and the New Zealand importer is registered as its supplier, it is deemed approved and needs no separate declaration.
  • Amendments to the regulations made in 2025 may be used from 13 November 2025 and must be complied with from 12 November 2026.

How we help: Compliant Always records each product's risk level, keeps the approval or supplier declaration with its test report, and shows which approvals near five years. Ask about this

EMC and radio compliance

Radio Spectrum Management's seven steps for suppliers.

  • Suppliers must make sure products meet the standards, prepare a product description, decide on testing, complete a supplier declaration of conformity, keep documentation, register as a supplier and label the product.
  • A declaration is needed for each product or significant variation: radio products at level of conformity 1, EMC products at level 1 that are labelled, and products at levels 2, 3, A1, A2 and A3.
  • The compliance record is a product description, a signed declaration and a test report or other evidence, kept for five years after the product stops being supplied.
  • Suppliers register as a responsible supplier with the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC), free of charge and renewed each year; supplying radio transmitters also needs a licence to supply.
  • Products are labelled with the RCM, or the R-NZ for radio transmitters at levels A1 to A3, at least 3 mm high on an external surface, or on packaging, instructions or electronically where that is not practical.
  • Products supplied under the mutual recognition arrangement with Australia do not need a New Zealand declaration, and some are exempt from New Zealand labelling.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the product description, declaration and test report together for each product, and holds them for the five years after supply ends. Ask about this

Water efficiency, batteries and other rules

Rules that apply to some electrical products besides safety and radio.

  • Some appliances also have obligations on energy efficiency, which WorkSafe's guide points to EECA for.
  • New washing machines and dishwashers must have a Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) label beside them or at the point of sale, in store or online.
  • A product safety policy statement on button batteries suggests secure child-resistant compartments, child-resistant packaging and warnings.
  • Importing e-waste, such as old electrical equipment, computers, printers and TVs, needs EPA approval under the Basel Convention rules.
  • Some radio equipment, such as certain dog-tracking devices and jammers, is prohibited.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps WELS ratings, battery warnings and the evidence behind them with each product. Ask about this

Enforcement and recalls

What Energy Safety and MBIE can do when a product is unsafe.

  • Energy Safety audits manufacturers, importers and suppliers, investigates accidents and complaints, and can issue warnings, infringement notices, prohibitions and urgent instructions, or prosecute.
  • Offences include supplying an unsafe appliance, a medium-risk article without a declaration, an unapproved high-risk article, or failing to provide documents within ten working days of a request.
  • Bans and compulsory recalls are made under consumer law in coordination with Energy Safety, and a recall may be needed when a product fails an electrical safety standard.
  • The business leading a product safety recall notifies MBIE within 2 working days of making it public.
  • Suppliers are responsible for the accuracy and safety of the installation and usage instructions that come with an appliance.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the documents a request would cover ready by product, so they can be produced within the deadline. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
Manufacturer or importerSafety, the approval or supplier declaration, the EMC and radio declaration, and labelling.Declarations and test reports kept together by product.
Responsible supplier (ERAC)Registration that allows use of the RCM, and the compliance record behind it.Registration and renewal dates kept beside each product.
Retailer and online sellerChecking requirements are met before offering products for sale.The declaration on file when a buyer asks.

Questions businesses ask

Do electrical products need approval in New Zealand?
High-risk declared articles must be approved, or covered by recognised certification, before sale. Medium-risk articles need a supplier declaration of conformity. Other products must meet fundamental safety, usually shown against a recognised standard.
What is a supplier declaration of conformity in New Zealand?
A declaration, in the ISO/IEC 17050 format, that a product meets the cited safety standards, backed by evidence such as a test report. Energy Safety can ask for it, and it must be available to purchasers.
Can products sold in Australia be sold in New Zealand?
WorkSafe says that with very few exceptions, products that can be sold in Australia can be sold lawfully in New Zealand, provided the documentation is available from the supplier.
What plug and voltage do appliances need in New Zealand?
Portable consumer appliances must be fitted with a plug suitable for New Zealand, be safe at 230 V, 50 Hz, and be marked 230 V or with a voltage range that includes it.
Do I need the RCM mark to sell electronics in New Zealand?
Radio and EMC products at levels of conformity 1, 2 or 3 use the RCM, and some radio transmitters use the R-NZ. To use the RCM you register as a responsible supplier with ERAC.
How long must I keep compliance documents for radio and EMC products?
For as long as you supply the product, and for five years after you stop supplying it.
Do I need a licence to sell radio transmitters in New Zealand?
Yes. Supplying radio transmitting equipment needs a licence to supply as well as supplier registration. Applications are usually processed within one business day, and the licence does not need renewing.
Have the Electricity (Safety) Regulations changed?
Yes. Amendments made in 2025 could be used from 13 November 2025 and must be complied with from 12 November 2026.
Who enforces electrical product safety in New Zealand?
WorkSafe's Energy Safety, under the Electricity Act 1992 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010. Radio Spectrum Management at MBIE handles EMC and radio compliance.
Do washing machines and dishwashers need a water label?
Yes. New washing machines and dishwashers need a WELS label next to the product or at the point of sale, in store or online.
How does Compliant Always help with selling in New Zealand?
Our team reads the rules for the markets you sell in, including the Food Standards Code New Zealand shares with Australia. Compliant Always shows which apply to your product, keeps the documents behind each one ready, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in New Zealand and what your paperwork needs to show.

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