Explanatory note

This note is not part of the regulations, but is intended to indicate their general effect.

These regulations amend the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 (the principal regulations). Schedule 1 of the principal regulations incorporates, by reference, standards for minimum energy performance and testing for certain product classes. Schedule 2 incorporates, by reference, standards for mandatory energy performance labelling and testing for certain product classes. The schedules are amended,—

• on 1 April 2013,—

  • to incorporate, by reference, standards to replace those that currently apply to televisions, air conditioners, heat pumps, and motors; and

  • to correct an error relating to the standards incorporated by reference in relation to clothes washing machines and dishwashers; and

  • to reincorporate, by reference, already applicable standards to give effect to recent amendments to those standards; and

• on 1 October 2013, to incorporate, by reference, standards for 2 additional product classes: computers and computer monitors. The delayed commencement of these amendments provides adequate notice of the new requirements in accordance with New Zealand's international commitments.

By virtue of regulations 17 and 18 of the principal regulations, the amendments made by these regulations in respect of a product class apply only to items in that product class that were manufactured in New Zealand, or imported into New Zealand, on or after the date on which the amendment comes into force.

Standards incorporated on 1 April 2013

The following are incorporated by reference:

• minimum energy performance standards for the following (see Part 1 of Schedule 1):

  • single-phase ducted air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps:

  • single-phase non-ducted air conditioners and heat pumps:

  • television sets:

  • three-phase air conditioners and heat pumps:

• the mandatory energy performance labelling standard for single-phase non-ducted air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps (see Part 1 of Schedule 2):

• testing standards for the following (see Part 2 of Schedule 1 and Part 2 of Schedule 2):

  • distribution transformers:

  • dry-type distribution transformers:

  • three-phase cage induction motors:

  • single-phase non-ducted air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps.

The principal regulations currently incorporate, by reference, incorrect testing standards for clothes washing machines and dishwashers. These regulations incorporate, by reference, the correct standards (see Part 2 of Schedule 2).

Standards reincorporated on 1 April 2013 to apply recent amendments

The effect of section 23 of the Standards Act 1988 is that a citation to a New Zealand standard in the principal regulations includes and refers to the version of that standard that was current immediately before the incorporation by reference. If the standard is subsequently amended, the amendments become part of the regulations only if—

• the Minister of Energy and Resources specifies, by notice in the Gazette, the date on which an amendment to material incorporated by reference takes effect (see section 37 of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000); or

• the standard is reincorporated by reference.

The following are reincorporated to give effect to recent amendments:

• the minimum energy performance standard for refrigerated display cabinets (see Part 1 of Schedule 1):

• mandatory energy performance labelling standards for the following (see Part 1 of Schedule 2):

  • clothes washing machines:

  • dishwashers:

  • television sets.

Standards for new product classes added on 1 October 2013

Standards for minimum energy performance and testing for computers and computer monitors are added to Schedule 1 of the principal regulations (see Part 3 of Schedule 1). Standards for mandatory energy performance labelling and testing for computer monitors are added to Schedule 2 of the principal regulations (see Part 3 of Schedule 2).