About us
We work to reduce significant risks and hazards that products may pose to New Zealand consumers by overseeing recalls, promoting safety and monitoring markets.
About product safety and recalls
We are a part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Hīkina Whakatutuki (MBIE). MBIE administers the product safety elements of the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act.
Our Minister has specific powers under the Fair Trading Act to:
- Implement compulsory recalls.
- Ban products with unsafe goods notices.
- Set product safety standards.
- Issue product safety policy statements.
What we do
We oversee the safety of consumer products that are not food, medicines or road vehicles.
We work to reduce significant risks and hazards that these products may pose to New Zealand consumers by:
Promoting safety
We prepare advisory and guidance material and resources for consumers and businesses, to promote product safety.
Monitoring and market surveillance
We monitor emerging national and international product safety risks and issues, and implement appropriate responses. We analyse data, and give advice to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs about emerging product safety issues and the application of Minister’s Fair Trading Act powers.
Overseeing recalls
We publish product safety notices, and provide guidance on product safety recall notices.
Product recalls – information for consumers
Engaging with industry
We engage with industry, standards making bodies, injury prevention agencies and other regulators.
Implementing regulatory controls
Where necessary, we put regulatory controls in place to keep New Zealanders safe from risks posed by consumer products.
What we don't do
The safety of food, medicines, energy and vehicle products are handled by other government agencies.
| Product | Agency | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Food and supplements | Ministry for Primary Industries | www.mpi.govt.nz/food-business/(external link) |
| Medicines and therapeutic products | Medsafe (part of Ministry of Health) | www.medsafe.govt.nz(external link) www.health.govt.nz(external link) |
| Road vehicles | New Zealand Transport Agency | www.nzta.govt.nz(external link) |
| Electrical and gas products | Energy Safety (part of Worksafe) | www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/energy-safety/(external link) |
| Products used in a workplace | Worksafe | www.worksafe.govt.nz(external link) |
| Hazardous substances and organisms | Environmental Protection Authority | www.epa.govt.nz(external link) |
| Products used in building and construction | Building Performance (part of MBIE) | www.building.govt.nz(external link) |
| Firearms | New Zealand Police | www.police.govt.nz(external link) |
Advice on legal compliance or standards
We can't offer advice on legal compliance or standards. For guidance or advice about:
- Product standards, contact Standards New Zealand Te Mana Tautikanga o Aoteaora(external link)
- Compliance with mandatory standards under the Fair Trading Act, contact the Commerce Commission New Zealand Te Komihana Tauhokohoko(external link)
- A product you wish to manufacture, sell or import — we recommend you seek independent legal advice.
Enforcement
We provide policy advice and implement regulations for products under the Fair Trading Act. Enforcement is the responsibility of the: