40-year trans-Tasman Standards partnership takes the next step

Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand have signed a new Heads of Agreement to modernise and streamline our joint standards arrangements. This marks a renewed commitment to our enduring partnership and builds on the foundation of over 2,000 existing joint standards that support economic growth across both nations.

The agreement ensures that joint standards will continue to be developed and adopted in ways that support more accessible participation for industry. It will deliver cost-effective trans-Tasman standards for both nations and, where appropriate, see international standards adopted that can be trusted by both industry and consumers.

In addition to the vital role we play in the trans-Tasman Single Economic Market, through frameworks such as the Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement and the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA), the strengthened partnership seeks to deepen our strategic collaboration in areas of mutual priority, including emerging technologies, supporting standards alignment, and the strengthening of trans-Tasman supply chains.

Our shared vision is clear: to build a standards system that not only keeps pace with change but also actively enables it by harmonising the adoption and use of international standards to the benefit of both Australia and New Zealand.

Together, we are committed to delivering on this vision, ensuring that standards remain a powerful enabler of productivity, competitiveness, and shared economic prosperity.

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FAQs

What are joint Trans-Tasman Standards and how are they developed?

Joint standards are standards developed or jointly adopted by committees comprising of Australian and New Zealand industry, regulatory, and other subject matter experts working together and contributing their skills, expertise and knowledge to reach consensus on a set of rules, specifications, guidance, criteria or requirements on a particular issue.

How long have Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand been developing joint standards?

Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand have been working together on joint standards for approximately 40 years. There are now more than 2,000 current joint standards, and these underpin trade agreements, regulatory systems, business settings and consumer safety in both economies.

What are the benefits of joint standards?

Joint standards play an import role of supporting trade, market access, interoperability of goods and services and workforces in both economies. Joint standards support strong and consistent consumer protection, product safety, quality assurance, business processes, and many regulatory performance requirements across a range of sectors and industries.

By developing joint standards together both markets benefit from the combined market expertise and experience. The joint adoption of international standards enables New Zealand and Australia to maintain trans-Tasman alignment while also benefiting from the collective international expertise captured in a standard. Aligning with practice internationally supports trade and efficiency objectives of both countries.

There are also process efficiency and cost savings benefits to doing this work together.

How many joint Trans-Tasman standards exist and what sectors do joint standards they cover?

There are over 2000 current AS/NZS joint standards (including joint adoption of international standards) which cover a range of key sectors and topics including:

• Building Construction
• Energy, Electricity and Gas
• Healthcare and Community Services
• Consumer and Occupational Safety
• Business and Trade
• Hospitality
• Transportation and Logistics
• Manufacturing and Processing
• Environment and Sustainability
• Digital Technology and Media

What are some of Standards Australia and Standards NZ’s joint priorities?

Examples of shared priorities include supporting:

• The safe and effective uptake of emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing
• Greater use of renewable energies and other climate action activities
• Trans-Tasman harmonisation of international standards adoption
• Our Pacific islands neighbours on their journey implementing quality infrastructure and building capability in standards and conformance
• Market access, productivity, and prosperity aspirations of businesses
• Regulatory coherence

Will standards continue to not align?

A key driver of the new agreement between Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand is to stop funding being a barrier to undertaking joint standards work. Countries will still be able to decide which standards projects are best done together and which they want to progress separately. For example, it is still possible for a joint standard to no longer be jointly developed if it does not continue to meet a jurisdiction’s regulatory requirements.

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For media enquires please contact:

Standards Australia: Brad Vermeer | brad.vermeer@standards.org.au

Standards New Zealand: Arpan Mukherjee | arpan.mukherjee@mbie.govt.nz