Trans-Tasman Standards Alignment Programme

The new agreement builds on the successful delivery of a dedicated programme of work led by Standards New Zealand in 2025 to improve standards alignment between the two countries. This work has prevented any further fragmentation (dejointing) of joint Australian-New Zealand trans-Tasman standards over the last year, reconnected again dozens of previously joint trans-Tasman standards covering water quality, consumer protection, health and safety, building and construction, and supported the new domestic New Zealand adoption of 57 more international standards in emerging digital technologies to strengthen both trans-Tasman and international alignment.

This important work led by Standards New Zealand has improved standards alignment between New Zealand and Australia and supports the Single Economic Market agenda (SEM) designed to create a seamless trans-Tasman business environment.

Supporting trade agreements

Australia and New Zealand have a close economic relationship. From as early as the 1800’s Australia and New Zealand have been key trading partners and continue to be significant markets for both exports and tourism. Our current economic relationship is underpinned by the Closer Economic Relations (CER) Agreement, which at over four decades old makes it older than the European Union or the World Trade Organisation. Its objective is to eliminate barriers to trans-Tasman trade in goods and services so it’s as easy to do business in one country as it is in the other and ultimately strengthening the economic relationship between the two.

As part of the CER, New Zealand and Australia have committed to a Single Economic Market agenda (SEM) and Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA), both designed to create a seamless trans-Tasman business environment by promoting regulatory coordination and integration.

Prioritising the trans-Tasman relationship

Greater trans-Tasman alignment is a priority of current Australian and New Zealand governments. The Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE) and Australia’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DSIR) have, with significant input from industry on both sides of the ditch, developed a Joint Regulatory Coherence Workplan that aims to strengthen the operation of the TTMRA including looking for opportunities to use international standards more and explore opportunities to align regulatory approaches, including the referencing of standards and avoiding future dejointing of standards.

What is dejointing of standards?

Dejointing generally occurs when either New Zealand or Australia decides not to participate in the review and update of a joint Australian/New Zealand (AS/NZS) standard. The vast majority of dejointing has occurred due to the New Zealand market being unable to contribute the financial or technical (industry experts) resources towards a review. New Zealand then opts out of participating in the revised standard project and the updated version of the previously joint standard becomes an Australian-only standard. The old joint version remains current in New Zealand, but over time risks becoming out of step with the latest science, research, technology, industry practice, regulatory requirements, and performance and quality expectations. This is known as a ‘dejointed standard’.

The divergence of settings caused by dejointing is likely to impact on the interoperability of products and services, trade and market access, and business efficiencies and productivity across our trans-Tasman economies.

Standards alignment

The trans-Tasman standards alignment programme was led by Standards New Zealand. A key focus was to engage with industry groups and regulators to identify which of the hundreds of dejointed standards were a priority to rejoin. Seven sector specific committees of subject matter experts were established to assist in determining both the priority and suitability of the standards for the New Zealand market.

Alongside this, the programme also adopted dozens of international standards already in use in Australia, covering AI, cyber security, cloud computing, risk management, biometrics and geographic information. Utilisation of digital technology standards will support efforts to digitalise New Zealand small business sector and will enable both trans-Tasman and international alignment. New Zealand and Australia both recognise the value of using and adopting international standards. In the same way that joint standards provide trade facilitation, efficiency and interoperability of products and services between Australia and New Zealand, the joint adoption of international standards offer these benefits both regionally and on a more global scale

Through a dedicated one-off fund this programme met the objective to quickly achieve standards alignment that allows New Zealand businesses remain up to date with industry good practice, competitive, efficient and prosperous.

Next steps

Working alongside New Zealand Government regulators and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Standards New Zealand will continue to prioritise maintaining the joint status of existing standards, aligning trans‑Tasman standards settings where this delivers the greatest value, and exploring opportunities to consult on and align regulatory approaches with Australia, including through the greater adoption of international standards.

A newly signed commercial agreement between Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand strongly supports this work by removing commissioning fees for New Zealand industry for joint Australian–New Zealand standards development.

New trans‑Tasman agreement to strengthen Single Economic Market(external link)

This change addresses a significant financial barrier faced by New Zealand businesses in recent years, which had been the primary reason for a number of standards becoming de‑jointed. To maintain a standard’s joint status, New Zealand industry must continue to contribute subject‑matter experts as committee members. We encourage you to consider any committees that can benefit from your expertise and completing an expression of interest:

Express your interest in joining a committee(external link)