Background information on proposals to amend the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002
We are currently consulting on proposals to introduce or update Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and Mandatory Energy Performance Labelling (MEPL) requirements across a range of product classes under the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002.
On this page
If you wish to comment on these proposals, email energyuse@mbie.govt.nz no later than 31 May 2025.
Proposals to be introduced and come into effect in 2025
Pursuant to section 36 of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000, the Minister for Energy has notified his intention to update the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 in the following Gazette notice:
Proposal to amend the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 and to incorporate material by reference [PDF 366KB]
The Gazette notice also gives notice of the proposal to incorporate standards by reference, pursuant to Schedule 2 of the Legislation Act 2019.
Cabinet has made policy decisions on these proposals. The relevant Cabinet papers are linked below:
Note: Cabinet’s policy decisions in respect of refrigerated cabinets and air conditioners under 65kW have already been implemented by regulatory amendments in 2020.
Air-conditioners/heat pumps > 65kW
The proposal is to introduce MEPS for air-conditioners/heat pumps with a capacity over 65 kilowatts (used mainly in commercial and industrial premises) in line with those adopted in Australia in 2022.
Further information on the proposed regulations for air conditioners and heat pumps above 65kW:
Air conditioners and heat pumps(external link) — EECA
Regulatory Impact Statement for the Cabinet decision to update the regulations :
Regulatory Impact Assessment: Impact Summary: Air conditioners [PDF 233KB](external link) — Ministry for Regulation
The amendment is to align the New Zealand requirements with the Australian Government's Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Air Conditioners above 65kW) Determination) 2022 :
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Air Conditioners above 65kW) Determination) 2022(external link) — Federal Register of Legislation
Standards to be incorporated into the proposed regulations for air conditions/heat pumps over 65 kW.
Standards for air conditioners/heat pumps
Clothes washing machines
The proposal is to update the regulatory labelling requirements for clothes washing machines to accommodate higher efficiency products, in line with those adopted in Australia in 2015.
Further information on the regulation of clothes washing machines:
Clothes washers(external link) — EECA
The amendment is to align the New Zealand requirements with the Australian Government's Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Clothes Washing Machines) Determination 2015:
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Clothes Washing Machines) Determination 2015(external link) — Federal Register of Legislation
Dishwashers
The proposal is to update the regulatory labelling requirements for dishwashers to accommodate higher efficiency products, in line with those adopted in Australia in 2015.
Further information on the regulation of dishwashers:
Dishwashers(external link) — EECA
The amendment is to align the New Zealand requirements with the Australian Government's Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Dishwashers) Determination 2015:
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Clothes Washing Machines) Determination 2015(external link) — Federal Register of Legislation
Rotary clothes dryers
The proposal is to update the regulatory labelling and MEPS requirements for rotary clothes dryers to accommodate higher efficiency products, in line with those adopted in Australia in 2015.
Further information on the regulation of rotary clothes dryers:
Clothes dryers(external link) — EECA
The amendment is to align the New Zealand requirements with the Australian Government's Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Rotary Clothes Dryers) Determination 2015:
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Clothes Washing Machines) Determination 2015(external link) — Federal Register of Legislation
Household refrigerators and freezers
The proposal is to revise the MEPS for household refrigerators and freezers to levels adopted in the United States in 2014; apply the international test method IEC 62552:2018, both changes in line with those adopted in Australia in 2019.
Update the regulatory labelling requirements for household refrigerators and freezers aligned to the new standards and test methods, in line with those adopted in Australia in 2019.
Further information on the proposals regulations of household refrigerators and freezers:
Fridges and freezers (domestic)(external link) — EECA
The amendment is to align the New Zealand requirements with the Australian Government's Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Household Refrigerating Appliances) Determination 2019:
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Household Refrigerating Appliances) Determination 2019(external link) — Federal Register of Legislation
Regulatory Impact Statement for the Cabinet decision to update the regulations:
Impact Summary: Household Refrigerators and Freezers [PDF, 176 KB]
Standards to be incorporated into the proposed regulations for household refrigerating appliances.
Standards for household refrigerating appliances
Three-phase cage induction motors
The proposal is to adopt the international test methods IEC 60034 (2014/2017), IEEE 112 2004/2017 for determining the energy consumption of three-phase cage induction motors (electric motors) in place of the currently specified test method; increase the MEPS requirements, both changes in line with those adopted in Australia in 2019.
Further information on the proposed requirements for three-phase electric motors:
New requirements for three-phase electric motors(external link) — EECA
2020 New Zealand Consultation Regulatory Impact Assessment (issues paper):
Issues paper Energy Efficiency Regulation of Electric Motors [PDF 920 KB](external link) — EECA
This proposal is to align the New Zealand requirements with the Australian Government's Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Three Phase Cage Induction Motors) Determination 2019:
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Three Phase Cage Induction Motors) Determination 2019(external link) — Federal Register of Legislation
Standards to be incorporated into the proposed regulations for three phase cage induction motors.
Standards for three phase cage induction motors
External power supplies
The proposal is to introduce regulatory labelling and introduce a designated efficiency level (Mark VI) to recognise higher efficiency products in the market, in line with those adopted in Australia in 2014.
Further information on the proposed requirements for external power supplies:
External power supplies(external link) — EECA
The amendment is to align the New Zealand requirements with the Australian Government's Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (External Power Supplies) Determination 2014:
Tubular fluorescent lamps
The proposal is a minor technical update to remove tubular fluorescent lamps of a specialised nature that are supplied in very low volumes, therefore no longer warranting of regulation.
Further information on the regulation of tubular fluorescent lamps:
Requirements under E3 - Linear (tubular) fluorescent lamps(external link) — EECA
Chillers
The proposal is a minor technical update to clarify the appropriate test standard for certain chillers (liquid chilling packages).
Further information on the regulation of chillers:
Chillers(external link) — EECA
Close control air conditioners
The proposal is to a minor technical update to remove from regulation a certain low volume close control air conditioner used in computer rooms.
Further information on the regulation of close control air conditioners:
Requirements under E3 - Close Control Air Conditioners(external link) — EECA
Proposals to be introduced at a later date
Pursuant to section 36 of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000, the Minister for Energy has notified his intention to update the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 in the following Gazette notice:
More details on the proposals can be found below.
Distribution transformers
The proposal is to expand the scope of and increase MEPS for distribution transformers supplied in Australia and New Zealand.
Further information on the regulation of distribution transformers:
Distribution transformers(external link) — EECA
The Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS) assesses policy options for increasing the energy efficiency of distribution transformers in Australia and New Zealand:
Regulation Impact Statement for Consultation: Distribution Transformers [PDF 3.8 MB](external link) — EECA
Three-phase cage induction motors
The proposal is to update MEPS and labelling requirements of three phase cage induction motors supplied in Australia and New Zealand.
In addition to the above proposals adopted by Australia in 2019 and consulted on in New Zealand in 2020, the New Zealand and Australian Governments are consulting in 2025 on new proposed regulation of three phase cage induction motors:
Three phase cage induction motors(external link) — EECA
The 2025 Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS) assesses policy options for increasing the energy efficiency of three phase electric motors (including motors embedded in or packaged with equipment) in Australia and New Zealand:
External power supplies
The proposal is to update the level and scope of MEPS applying to external power supplies supplied in Australia and New Zealand.
In addition to the above proposals adopted by Australia in 2014, the New Zealand and Australian Governments are consulting in 2025 on new proposed regulation of external power supplies. The Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS) assesses policy options for increasing the energy efficiency of external power supplies in Australia and New Zealand:
External Power Supplies Consultation Regulation Impact Statement [PDF 3.3 MB](external link) — EECA