News from the team and updates on standards published, out for consultation, and on the horizon.
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In this issue:
- Get involved in strengthening New Zealand’s voice in international technology standards.
- Updates on standards for bungy jumping, fire resistant doorsets and high temperature heat pumps.
- Enabling New Zealand’s clean energy transition: How standards are driving uptake of renewable and hydrogen technologies.
- Why international standards can be a game changer for small businesses.
- Nominations are now open for the 2026 IEC Young Professionals (YP) Programme.
- Australia and New Zealand transitioning to ISO respiratory protection standards.
- International Women’s Day 2026 – why gender-responsive standards matter.
- Convene the Convenors 2026 – summary of the event.
- Welcome to new members of the Standards Approval Board.
- Standards in development.
National Manager’s update – working on key projects helping to support NZ’s resilience in turbulent times
It is hard to ignore that we are living in unusually turbulent times. Global uncertainty, geopolitical tension, economic disruption, deterioration of the international rules-based order, and rapid technological change are all colliding in ways that feel challenging and, at times, unsettling.
Yet I believe these very conditions reinforce something fundamental: the enduring importance of strong multilateral international systems and institutions, strong and globally connected national quality and economic infrastructure, and the need to use these to continue building economic resilience and long‑term prosperity.
Get involved in strengthening New Zealand’s voice in international technology standards
International standards play a vital role in our increasingly digital and interconnected world. We are actively seeking experts to contribute to international standards committees covering eight priority areas – information security, cyber security and privacy, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, IT governance and IT service management, cards and security devices for personal identification, biometrics, blockchain and distributed ledger technologies, risk management. Find out more at a webinar Wednesday 24 July.
Bungy jumping standard to take a leap forward with new revision
A new project has kicked off to revise AS/NZS 5848:2000 Code of practice for bungy jumping, marking the first full review of the standard in more than 25 years.
Modern commercial bungy jumping was developed and popularised right here in New Zealand Aotearoa when A.J. Hackett opened the first commercial site at Kawarau Bridge in 1988. With significant advances in technology, equipment and safety practices since the standard was last revised, the project aims to ensure that the joint Australian/New Zealand document continues to reflect contemporary practice and supports high levels of safety, innovation and public confidence – making it the world’s leading guidance.
Revision of NZS 4520 Fire resistant doorsets
A revision of NZS 4520:2010 Fire resistant doorsets will update New Zealand’s approach to fire resistance in new buildings.
The standard serves as the benchmark for tagging, testing, and verifying fire doors used in fire separations and safe paths. The new project identified substantial industry need for modernised, clearer, and more practical fire safety standards.
Read more about the fire resistant doorsets standard project
New revision published for SNZ PAS 5210 on high temperature heat pumps
A new revision of SNZ PAS 5210:2024 High temperature heat pumps is now published, reflecting the rapid pace of innovation in industrial high temperature applications and extending guidance for supply temperatures above 100 °C.
EECA have generously sponsored access to SNZ PAS 5210 to help users make better informed decisions.
Learn what changes have been incorporated and access a copy.
Enabling New Zealand’s clean energy transition: How standards are driving uptake of renewable and hydrogen technologies
New Zealand’s transition to a low emissions economy is being driven by rapid technological change, evolving energy markets, and climate commitments. Behind the scenes of this change lies the adoption and integration of international standards and global good practice.
Standards New Zealand’s Principal Project Manager Chris Forsman recently presented at a forum to help understand the why behind the adoption of international standards and the impact they have in the energy sector.
International Women’s Day 2026 – why gender-responsive standards matter
For International Women’s Day, we spoke with four women representing New Zealand on standards committees about why women’s participation in standards development matters – and what changes when more diverse voices help shape technical decisions.
Hear from women on committees and discover more about getting involved
Nominations are now open for the 2026 IEC Young Professionals (YP) Programme
The IEC Young Professionals (YP) Programme offers early‑career professionals the opportunity to build international networks, gain insight into IEC governance and technical work, and contribute to global standardisation and conformity assessment activities. Participants can observe high‑level IEC meetings, engage in interactive sessions with peers and IEC leadership, and access continued engagement opportunities through the YP alumni network.
The programme is open to professionals typically in their early 20s to mid‑30s who have some experience with standards or conformity assessment and are working in an IEC‑relevant sector. The 2026 IEC YP Workshop will be held alongside the IEC General Meeting in Hamburg, Germany, from 16–20 November 2026, with the IEC covering accommodation costs for up to six nights (15–21 November 2026). Travel costs are not covered and will need to be self‑funded or supported by employers. For further information about the New Zealand nominations process, please get in touch with Ramola Duncan, Senior Advisor International Engagement -ramola.duncan@mbie.govt.nz.
Australia and New Zealand transitioning to ISO respiratory protection standards by 2030
A major shift is underway in the world of respiratory protection across Australia and New Zealand. The transition to ISO standards will replace the trans-Tasman standards and bring the region into alignment with global practice.
By January 1, 2030, two long-standing national standards – AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment and AS/NZS 1716:2012 Respiratory Protective Devices – will be superseded by a recently adopted suite of AS/NZS ISO standards. This marks a significant step forward for the respiratory protection industry toward global harmonisation and improved safety outcomes.
Learn more about the transition to ISO standards for respiratory protection
Convene the Convenors 2026 – Supporting New Zealand’s international mirror committee convenors
In March Convene the Convenors was held as a hybrid forum. This brought together convenors of ISO and IEC international standards committees to share experience, identify common challenges, and reflect on what supports effective and sustainable participation in international standards development.
Discover the key takeaways and common themes from the discussion
Why international standards matter for small businesses
International standards are one of the most powerful and accessible tools small businesses can use to improve quality, boost productivity, streamline operations, and build consumer trust. They’re not 'only for the big guys', they are increasingly becoming the 'entry ticket' to global markets.
Discover some examples of international standards for specific industries that might just help give your business the edge.
Welcome to new members of the Standards Approval Board
The Standards Approval Board (SAB) is an independent statutory board, appointed by the Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs, set up under the Standards and Accreditation Act 2015. We welcome three new appointees to the SAB including a new Board Chair.
Standards in development
Visit our standards in development webpage to check each project’s stage and see what’s been done and what’s coming up next. Download the 'in-flight standards' spreadsheet and use the tabs for New Zealand only standards (NZS), Australia-led AS/NZS or joint projects under the 'Trans Tansman Standards Alignment Project'.
Standards in development - check out all projects underway
NZS 4121: Design for access and mobility
Standards New Zealand has completed a scoping exercise for Whaikaha to identify the most appropriate approach to revising NZS 4121:2001 Design for access and mobility: Buildings and associated facilities. Drawing on feedback from scoping workshops, findings from a preceding environmental scan, and consultation with MBIE’s Building System Performance team, Standards New Zealand recommended revising the standard using the current 2001 edition as the foundation. The proposed approach will incorporate relevant and contemporary material from national and international standards where appropriate.
NZS 4303: Ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality
The revision of NZS 4303 Ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality is now underway, with a public comment draft expected in February 2027. The committee is developing comprehensive technical content across five key areas: residential ventilation, non‑residential ventilation, natural ventilation, commissioning and installation, and indoor air quality. Early work has focused on reviewing overseas standards to assess their suitability for the New Zealand context, ahead of developing agreed frameworks for each area.
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You use standards, so let's chat
We love to showcase how businesses and organisations use standards in the many diverse industries across Aotearoa. Standards are more than documents, they enable safety, reliability and quality assurance in services and products used by millions of New Zealanders every day. If you are interested in featuring in an article and telling us your story about the standards you use or that are important to your work, please get in touch for an informal chat: editor@standards.govt.nz
