New regulations for building products

New regulations have been made by the Government to ensure a minimum level of information is provided about certain building products, increasing confidence in their use, and supporting better and more efficient decision making.

Key dates

The new regulations were made on 7 June 2022 and will come into force on 11 December 2023. This gives people 18 months to prepare to meet their obligations.

Who do the regulations apply to?

The regulations require building product manufacturers and importers to publicly disclose a minimum and consistent level of information about their building products.

Wholesalers, retailers, and distributors will need to check that the required information is available for the building products they sell or distribute.

Why were the regulations made?

Building products contribute to safe and durable buildings and yet until now, the level and type of information provided by manufacturers and importers has been variable.

Information on these products will help designers, builders and consumers choose the right products, install them in the correct way and make informed decisions about using alternative products where there are product shortages.

Building consent authorities will have adequate information to enable them to be satisfied on reasonable grounds that building work, and the building products used, will comply with the performance requirements of the Building Code. This should result in fewer requests for information, and therefore faster processing times.

In addition, the regulations will ensure homeowners are given the information they need to make good decisions about products, and use and maintain them as intended.

What products do the regulations apply to?

The regulations only apply to ‘designated’ building products. These are products that are required for the building to comply with the Building Code.

There are two classes of designated building products, with different information requirements for each:

• Class 1: batch or mass-produced products that are typically available for retail or wholesale purchase. For example: cladding products or systems, mechanical fixings, insulation products, internal lining products, structural wood-based products, sanitary plumbing and drainage products.

• Class 2: custom-made lines of products that are made to order to client specifications. For example: external window joinery and doors that have been customised to the specifications of individual clients, and customised concrete mixes for a specific building or application.

What information must be provided?

Manufacturers or importers of designated building products will have a responsibility to collate and produce the required building product information and disclose it online to the public. Most manufacturers and importers already have this information, but it may not be disclosed all in one place or in a way that is accessible to the public.

Information requirements to be displayed online include:

• the name and a description of the product (or product line from which the product is customised) and its intended use

• a product identifier (in most circumstances)

• the legal and trading name of manufacturers and, if applicable, importers

• a statement specifying the relevant clauses of the Building Code and how the product is expected to contribute to compliance, as well as any limitations on the use of the product

• any design, installation and maintenance requirements

• either a statement that the product is not subject to any warnings or bans or a description of warnings or bans applicable to the product.

See the regulations https://legislation.govt.nz/regulation/ public/2022/0170/latest/whole.html#LMS697844 for a full list of the required information.

Where can I find more information?

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is developing information and education resources, including a detailed guidance document, to help manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, and distributors understand their responsibilities.

Find out more about the new regulations and access education resources: https://www.building.govt.nz/buildingcode-compliance/product-assurance-and-certificationschemes/building-product-information-requirements/.

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment MBIE is the central regulator of New Zealand’s building system. Our Building System Performance (BSP) branch provides policy and technical advice on New Zealand’s building system, rules and standards, and implements building legislation and regulations to meet New Zealand’s current and future needs. Find out more at www.building.govt.nz