The Government has now released the Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2025 (SR 2025/225), which formally update the editions of key electrical standards referenced under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010. These amendments are designed to keep our regulatory framework current and aligned with modern best practice.
This update has already been made public via legislation.govt.nz, and below we’ve outlined the key details to help you understand what it means for you and when it takes effect.
What’s Changed
The Amendment Regulations replace a number of outdated standard citations with the latest published editions — including AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Amd 2:2021), AS/NZS 3017:2022, AS/NZS 3019:2022 and others. Click here for the full list
In simple terms, this means that from the effective date, these newer cited edition standards are the legally referenced versions for design, installation, inspection, and certification of electrical work in New Zealand.
Key Dates & Transition
- The amendments come into force on 13 November 2025.
- A 12-month transition period applies: from 13 November 2025 until 12 November 2026.
- You do not have to comply with amendments to the regulations until 12 November 2026.
- You may choose to use the amended regulations from 13 November 2025.
- From 13 November 2026 onward, only the new cited editions will be legally permissible (i.e., after the transition window closes).
What this means for you (in practical terms)
Until 13 November 2025:
- Continue operating under your current processes, referenced standards and certification practices as usual.
- There is no requirement to switch immediately to the new referenced editions before this date.
From 13 November 2025 to 12 November 2026 (transition period):
- You may choose to adopt the new referenced editions of standards now – or continue working under the previous editions. It’s a voluntary change during this period.
- Consider reviewing your internal practices, toolkits, documentation, training materials, and supplier/installer agreements to assess whether adopting the new editions early is advantageous for your business.
- Use this 12-month window to plan and prepare for full compliance by November 2026.
From 13 November 2026 onward:
- Compliance will require using the new editions of the standards as referenced in the amended Regulations. If you’re still using the old editions, you risk non-compliance.
- Review all work, certification, inspection and equipment-import/supply practices to ensure they align with the updated legal references.
Immediate next-steps for your business/operation
- Access the updated regulations – review Schedule 2 of the Amendment Regulations to identify the specific standards editions that are now cited.
- Audit your current standard-edition usage – check which editions your business is currently applying in installation manuals, inspection criteria, procurement specs, training materials, etc.
- Update documentation & training – plan in your business (or branch) a review of internal procedures to ensure by late 2026 you are fully compliant.
- Communicate with supplier/contractor network – the referenced standards change may affect product specification, certification, inspection regimes. Make sure your supply chain is aware of the changes.
- Decide whether to opt in early – if your business finds benefit in starting to adopt the new editions now (e.g., better alignment with updated safety standards, future-proofing), you may choose to do so during the transition period.
- Monitor guidance & support – ME will provide updates, FAQs and training resources to help members adapt. Keep an eye on ME’s communications and the websites of WorkSafe New Zealand and Standards New Zealand for further guidance.
Through Trade Master, Master Electricians will support the industries transition to the new cited standards by offering clear, accessible learning and support. A schedule of short online learning modules will be released to explain the key changes, alongside updated content in existing the Trade Master Competency course.