Appendix 2 – Proposed criteria

It is proposed that regulations state:

“In order to be approved as a certification authority, the PGDB will need to be satisfied that an applicant (other than a certifying plumber) has in place, and will comply with, a system that will ensure that the certification of vehicles as self-contained is done consistently well.”

1. How to apply for approval as a certification authority

(a) An application for approval as a certification authority must be in the form prescribed by the PGDB, and be accompanied by the application fee under these regulations.

(b) An application must include the following information:

i. Details of the applicant, including:

i. their full legal name

ii. trading name (if different from legal name)

iii. the NZ Business Number (NZBN) of the organisation (if any)

iv. the physical address of their principal place of business

v. their postal address (if different from physical address)

vi. their other contact details, including email address and phone number

vii. the address of their internet site.

ii. Details of the individual responsible for the application and who will be in management control of the certification operation, including:

i. their full name

ii. their title or role (in relation to the applicant)

iii. their contact details, including email address and phone number.

iii. Details of the proposed certification operation, including:

i. the proposed coverage of operations (national or regional)

ii. the range of vehicles that certification will be offered for – whether this will be any vehicle, or a limited range. If the latter, what this range/mix of vehicles is likely to be

iii. any other information required by the PGDB.

(c) This section does not apply to a person who is a certifying plumber – they are deemed to be a certification authority and a recognised vehicle inspector (as applicable) and do not have to meet the criteria set out in the following sections.

2. Approval criteria

Applicants for approval as a certification authority must satisfy the PGDB that it meets the following criteria:

(a) a process, with details on each step, for how a person is to be recognised as a vehicle inspector (VI)

(b) means of ensuring that persons meet the competency requirements in section (3) of the regulations in order to become recognised VIs

(c) means of ensuring that recognised VIs maintain the ongoing competency requirements

(d) means of monitoring VI performance to ensure that VIs are consistently making correct certification decisions

(e) means of providing assistance/advice to recognised VIs on the technical requirements and/or how to interpret these

(f) means of providing updates to VIs on the technical requirements and/or how to interpret these

(g) means of ensuring that VIs have regard to, or comply with (as applicable) any formal guidance issued by the PGDB under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006

(h) if self-certifying, a means of ensuring that any conflicts of interest are well managed

(i) if a third party is undertaking inspections on your behalf, a means of ensuring that such inspections are robust

(j) means of managing customer complaints

(k) appropriate IT facilities to enable:

i. inspection details to be entered into the national register of self-contained vehicles

ii. the review of inspection details prior to the issuing of a self-containment certificate

iii. the issuing of a self-containment certificate and warrant

(l) means of collecting the self-containment levy and passing it on to the PGDB.

3. Competency requirements for Recognised Vehicle Inspectors

In order to be recognised as a vehicle inspector by a certification authority, a person must demonstrate competency in:

(a) knowledge and understanding of the self-containment technical requirements set out in these regulations

(b) knowledge and understanding of how to correctly interpret the technical requirements set out in the regulations when inspecting a vehicle

(c) ability to enter inspection details into the national register of self-contained vehicles

(d) knowledge of how to seek assistance on the technical requirements and/or how to interpret these.

4. Ongoing competency requirements for Recognised Vehicle Inspectors

In order to continue to be a recognised vehicle inspector, a person must continue to demonstrate competency requirements set out in (3) above.

5. Evidence required to satisfy the PGDB that criteria have been met

The evidence required to satisfy the PGDB that the criteria in (2) and (3) have been met is set out in the following table: 

Criteria Required Evidence
(2)(a) A process for how a person is recognised as a vehicle inspector (VI) Details of the recognition process from application through to recognition.

Details of each step and what must be undertaken in order to move to the next step.

Details of what happens at each step if a person does not meet the requirements to move to the next step.
(2)(b) - Means of ensuring that persons meet the competency requirements in section (3) of the regulations in order to become recognised VIs Details of a training programme covering all of the requirements in (2)(a).

Details of how the knowledge and understanding of the self-containment technical requirements will be assessed, including:
  • the nature of the assessment (online, open book, in-person, oral interview)
  • the required pass mark
  • the number of times a person can be re-assessed before being declined as a VI.
Details of how the knowledge and understanding of how to correctly interpret the technical requirements when inspecting a vehicle will be assessed, including:
  • the required minimum number of inspections observed taking into account the information provided in (1)(c)(ii) on the mix of vehicles likely to be certified
  • the process for identifying who is competent to undertake such assessments.
(2)(c) - Means of ensuring that recognised VIs maintain the ongoing competency requirements Details of proposed training and upskilling plans, including any VI workshops or inspection days.
(2)(d) - Means of monitoring VI performance to ensure that VIs are consistently making correct certification decisions Details of the process whereby a technically competent person reviews each certificate prior to issuing.

Proposed auditing plan of VI performance.
(2)(e) - Means of providing assistance/advice to recognised VIs on the technical requirements and/or how to interpret these Details of a centralised helpdesk or contact point for VI queries.
(2)(f) - Means of providing updates to VIs on the technical requirements and/or how to interpret these Process for providing updates to VIs.
(2)(g) - Means of ensuring that VIs have regard to or comply with (as applicable) any formal guidance issued by the PGDB under the Bill Process for checking VI adherence to formal guidance.
(2)(h) - If self-certifying, a means of ensuring that any conflicts of interest are well managed If installing and/or, manufacturing and certifying, the person certifying is a recognised VI.

Details of what involvement (if any) the recognised VI has in the installation/manufacturing operation.

Details of written procedures for transparently and appropriately managing conflicts of interest.

Process whereby a technically competent person reviews each certificate prior to issuing.

Details of internal auditing arrangements.
(2)(i) - If a third party is undertaking inspections on your behalf, a means of ensuring that such inspections are robust Copies of MOUs and other written agreements with the 3rd party inspection provider.

Details of any auditing arrangements.
(2)(j) - Means of managing customer complaints Process for receiving and handling disputes and complaints in an appropriate manner.
(2)(k) - Appropriate IT facilities to enable:
  • inspection details to be entered into the national register of self-contained vehicles
  • the review of inspection details prior to the issuing of a self-containment certificate
  • the issuing of a self-containment certificate and warrant.
Details of IT facilities that are, or will be, in place.
(2)(l) - Means of collecting the self-containment levy and passing it on to the PGDB. Details of the process to be used to collect and pass on the levy.

6. Approval as a certification authority

If the PGDB is satisfied that an applicant has met the criteria in (2) or (7) as applicable, then the PGDB will grant approval and notify the applicant that it is an approved certification authority for four years.

7. Renewal of approval as a certification authority

An application for the renewal of an approval must:

(a) not be made earlier than 3 months before the approval’s date of expiry; and

(b) be in the form prescribed by the PGDB, and be accompanied by the renewal application fee under these regulations; and

(c) include the following information:

  • an update on any of the information required by section 1 of these regulations (if applicable)
  • a declaration that the certification authority continues to comply with the criteria for approval in these regulations.