What are Australian and New Zealand standards?

The Australian and New Zealand Standard Method of Measurement (ANZSMM) including additional New Zealand Standards. The purpose of the Standard Method of Measurement is to provide a uniform basis for the measurement of building works. The methods of measurement laid down herein shall be applicable to the preparation of Bills of Quantities before the works are commenced equally with the measurement of finished works and variations.

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How joint projects are developed
New Zealand secretariat
Australian secretariat
Commissioning standards
Joining a joint AS/NZS committee

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Joint Australian/New Zealand standards are developed by a joint standards development committee, comprising committee members that represent both New Zealand and Australian stakeholders.

Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia jointly encourage the adoption of international standards first and the development of joint standards where this is not possible.

The day-to-day operation of joint committees is managed by Standards Australia or Standards New Zealand, according to which country holds secretariat responsibilities for the committee. Secretariats are allocated on the basis of demonstrable interest, expertise, and financial resources.

How joint projects are developed

New Zealand secretariat

There are currently three active New Zealand secretariat committees.

1. EL-002 is a mirror committee for a number of IEC international committees. Its primary role is to review and comment on the international documents during the standards development stage. When the international standards are published they are reviewed for usability and national variations and, if required, these are added to the final document.

The committee uses the ‘combined procedure’ (concurrent public comment and postal ballot) process and, once approved, the international standards are adopted and published as AS/NZS versions.

2. QR-012 is a committee responsible for three joint Australian/New Zealand standards:

AS/NZS 4417.1 Regulatory compliance mark for electrical and electronic equipment – Part 1: Use of the mark
AS/NZS 4417.2 Regulatory compliance mark for electrical and electronic equipment – Part 2: Specific requirements for particular regulatory applications
AS/NZS 3820 Essential safety requirements for electrical equipment.

3. Joint Australian/New Zealand committee EL-036 is currently revising AS/NZS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment with publication expected later in 2021.

Australian secretariat

The day-to-day management of a number of committees is facilitated by Standards Australia. Consult the Standards Australia website for more information.

Standards Australia(external link)

Commissioning standards

Standards New Zealand does not receive direct government funding and operates on a cost recovery basis. As a result, it is necessary for Standards New Zealand to recover project fees for New Zealand’s participation in an Australian-secretariat joint standard. This is usually from a third party; either a regulator or an industry body that uses the joint standard, or through other means such as the revenue from the sale of the resulting standard, if this is feasible.

Joining a joint AS/NZS committee

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Australian/New Zealand Standards are developed by Standards Australia, an independent organisation that prepares and publishes voluntary technical and commercial standards which are sometimes adopted by occupational safety and health regulations.

Where a regulation in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 refers to a standard, workplace participants must comply with the standard.

AS/NZS1657:2013	Specifies requirements for the design, selection, construction and installation of fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders that are intended to provide safe access to places used by operating, inspection, maintenance and servicing personnel. AS/NZS1657 is also referenced in the National Construction code (formerly the BCA), which making it a legislation.
AS/NZS1891	Designed to cover industrial fall-arrest systems and devices. The standard comprises four parts: Part 1 details the manufacturing and testing standards for full-body harnesses, lanyards, connectors and ancillary equipment Part 2 covers horizontal lifeline and rail, both prescribed and proprietary Part 3 covers fall-arrest devices Part 4 details equipment selection, use and maintenance (fundamentally the primary standard referred to by users)
AS/NZS 4488.2:1997	Provides requirements for the specifications, selection, safe use and maintenance of industrial rope access system components and assemblies.
AS/NZS 2865:2001	Sets out requirements and risk control measures in eliminating or minimizing the need to enter confined spaces and in avoiding hazards which may encountered. Contains Sections dealing with risk identification and assessment, monitoring prior to entry, education and training as well as emergency response.

DISCLAIMER: Safemaster has compiled a range materials to assist you better understand the OH&S, WHS Regulations/Act and Codes of Practice. This article is not an instruction manual, and should not be considered a substitute for competent instruction.