Recently, the Government introduced three new pathways providing for quality overseas building products and standards to be recognised in New Zealand.

These pathways are:

• Building Product Specifications
• Approved Products Certified Overseas
• Endorsed Standards

The three pathways target each level of the building product assurance system to remove barriers and improve competition and access to overseas products and streamline Building Code compliance.

Image: Where the three new pathways fit in the building regulatory framework 

Approved Products Certified Overseas

Approved Products Certified Overseas is the recognition of overseas certified building products and methods certified under an overseas product certification scheme. MBIE will evaluate which overseas certified building products and methods meet the criteria set out in new regulations that commenced in August.

If a product or method is recognised, MBIE will publish a recognition notice. The recognition notice will include relevant Building Code clauses, and any relevant limitations and conditions. A building consent authority must accept a recognition notice as evidence of compliance with the Building Code for the noted clauses, if the product is used as intended and within any limitations or condition of recognition.

MBIE has recently published 22 recognition notices that cover approximately 92,500 WaterMark plumbing and drainage products certified to AS 3718:2021 and joint AS/NZS standards that have linkages to the AS/NZ 3500 standard series.

Each of these WaterMark recognitions notice outlines:

• The relevant product categories and scope of application
• Applicable Building Code clauses (for example, B2, G12)
• The standard that the product has been certified to
• Certificate numbers and expiry dates

How to use recognition notices for WaterMark products

To use this deemed-to-comply-pathway, designers, specifiers and builders will need to:

1. Check that the WaterMark certificate that they want to use is listed on a recognition notice published on MBIE’s official list of recognised overseas certified products.
   
   
2. Check the WaterMark product certificate for the product is current by using the licence number and product details to cross-check against the ABCB WaterMark register or the Conformity Assessment Body (CAB).
   
   
3. Ensure the product is being used in accordance with its recognised scope and limitations detailed on the recognition notice (can also be found on the WaterMark Schedule of Products).
   
   
4. Attach both the recognition notice and product certificate for that product to a building consent application.

MBIE is currently evaluating further WaterMark certified products for possible recognition, with the aim to expand the range of recognised WaterMark products before the end of 2025.

MBIE is also working on the development of an application process and prioritisation criteria for further overseas certified products and methods. When released in 2026, product manufacturers, suppliers and importers will be able to apply directly to MBIE for recognition. 

Building Product Specifications

The Building Product Specifications (BPS) is a new regulatory instrument that contains specifications for building products in relation to their manufacture, fabrication, testing, quality control, physical properties, performance, installation, and/or maintenance.

The BPS can be used with an acceptable solution or verification method to show compliance with the New Zealand Building Code. It cannot be used in isolation to demonstrate compliance with any requirements of the Building Code.

The first edition of the BPS was published on 31 July 2025. It contains 130 standards or specifications for concrete, steel, timber, cladding, windows, plasterboard (bracing), insulation, HVAC and fire characteristics of products. The BPS will incorporate new or updated standards when they are identified as providing an equivalent or better level of performance.

You can find the current version of the BPS here:
Building Product Specifications - First edition

Endorsed Standards

Endorsed Standards are the recognition of overseas groups of standards and standards certification schemes by the Minister for Building and Construction. Endorsed Standards can be used as supporting evidence of compliance with the Building Code, making it easier for many building products from overseas to be specified in a building design.

Endorsed Standards may be considered by building consent authorities when determining compliance with the Building Code, but they do not provide a deemed to comply pathway.

MBIE has recently recognised groups of building and constructions standards issued by 11 overseas standards organisations, including ISO and IEC.