Business Update

Gas appliance auditing

The purpose of these audits is to promote compliance with the regulatory requirements of the Gas Act.  Compliance is achieved through a mix of monitoring, education, warnings and court action.  There is a proposal in the pipeline to introduce an infringement and fine regime into the regulations; however, the details around the proposal have not been finalised.

Audits are scheduled and targeted and allow Energy Safety to monitor and enforce the rules around gas appliances.  They offer a good opportunity to educate and encourage compliance amongst manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers, allowing those who wish to comply, to comply.

For an overview of the gas appliance regime please visit the Energy Safety website.  In essence, all gas appliances require a supplier declaration before supply.  The declaration must be lodged on the Energy Safety website.

There are about 300 suppliers and 3,000 appliances registered and declared on the website.  In an effort to maintain the integrity of the gas appliance system, Energy Safety audits about 5% of the database entries each year. 

The intention is to minimise the compliance burden on business while maintaining confidence in the declaration system.  These audits include requests for the documentation that supports the supplier declaration.

In addition to the audits of declared gas appliances, Energy Safety visits retailers, street and market traders, online traders, wholesalers and importers.  These audits are to check marking and to check if gas appliances are declared.

If you supply, or intend to supply, gas appliances in New Zealand, please ensure you are familiar with the requirements, including section 13 and 14 of the Gas Regulations.

Related links

• Gas Appliances and Fittings
• Gas Regulations
• Energy Safety website