Renewing your accreditation

Trading Standards will charge for accreditation related activities. For more information see accreditation costs.

Accreditation costs

Prior to applying

Please be advised of the following outcomes, based on the 3 scenarios described below:

1. When an application is submitted prior to the expiry date and processed by Trading Standards prior to / on the date of expiry:
   1. A new letter of accreditation is issued.
2. When an application is submitted less than 3 months prior to the expiry date and is not processed by Trading Standards prior to the expiry date:
   1. The accreditation of the organisation, and its individual(s), expires, and
   2. The renewal process continues until completed; 
      1. if approved, a new letter of accreditation is issued
      2. if not approved, the application will be declined.
3. When an application is submitted more than 3 months prior to the expiry date and is not processed by Trading Standards prior to the expiry date:
   1. The accreditation continues until the renewal process is completed;
      1. if approved, a new letter of accreditation is issued
      2. if not approved, the application will be declined.

Step 1 – Apply to be accredited

Log in to Business Connect, then select and complete Trading Standards accreditation form 1.

Business Connect(external link)

Once an application has been submitted, you will receive an automated email. As part of the application process, you will be required to provide us with the documents listed below.

• Details for each accredited individual (if not submitted in the application form), which includes:
  • Name, location and contact details
  • Unique personal identifier
  • Unique email address, and
  • Each category and sub-category sought.
• A signed status declaration; in accordance with Regulation 17 of the Weights and Measures Regulations 1999

Regulation 17(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

• An up-to-date version of the Quality Management Systems (QMS), which includes all elements of Schedule 7 of the Weights and Measures Regulations 1999

Schedule 7(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

• A notice of non-compliance in accordance with Schedule 5(5) of the Weights and Measures Regulations 1999

Schedule 5(5)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

• A certificate of accuracy in accordance with Schedule 5(7) or /and Schedule 5(9) of the Weights and Measures Regulations 1999

Schedule 5(7)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

Schedule 5(9)(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

• A mark of verification in accordance with Regulation 14 of the Weights and Measures Regulations 1999

Regulation 14(external link) — New Zealand Legislation

• Tests procedures for each category / sub-category sought
• Test sheets for each category / sub-category sought
• An up to date version of the surveillance Plan

Surveillance Plan

• Any other relevant documentation associated with the QMS.

Step 2 – Application received

Once Trading Standards receive a complete application, your Client Manager will assist you through the renewal process.

If necessary, the Client Manager may request any outstanding required documents.

Step 3 – Systems Audit

The Client Manager will conduct a Systems Audit of your Quality Management Systems (QMS) and the associated documentation. The Systems Audit is carried out to ensure these documents meet the requirements of the legislation.

The Client Manager will raise any issues revealed during the audit.

• If the issues are major, the Client Manager will contact the Management Representative, request them to amend the documentation and conduct a new Systems Audit. When the documentation meets the requirements and is approved by Trading Standards, the Client Manager will provide a Systems Audit Report.
• If the issues are minor, the Client Manager will provide a Systems Audit Report, which will include details of the amendments required.

Step 4 – Management Representative Audit

The Client Manager or a Trading Standards Officer will conduct a Management Representative Audit of the appointed individual. The Management Representative Audit is carried out to ensure they understand their role and responsibilities, that the annual reviews and internal audits have been conducted, the Surveillance Plan has been completed for the last 3-year period and that the accredited individuals are still competent.

The Client Manager will provide a Management Representative Audit Report, which will state:

• If the individual is approved or not, and
• Any conditions of accreditation.

Step 5 – Develop a Surveillance Plan

The Management Representative will develop a Surveillance Plan in agreement with the Client Manager.

The Surveillance Plan will record and track the surveillance activities completed by Trading Standards for all accredited individual(s) and accreditation category(ies) under an accredited organisation.

The Surveillance Plan is to be managed and maintained by the Management Representative, and it is their responsibility to ensure all surveillance activities are completed.

Surveillance Plan

Step 6 – Letter of Accreditation

Once the above steps have been completed, the Client Manager will issue a Letter of Accreditation. This letter will be valid until the expiry date, as stated on the letter, unless revoked sooner.

The Letter of Accreditation will be issued to the Manager Representative and state the name and personal identifier of the accredited organisation and list the name(s) and personal identifier(s) of the individual(s), including the categories and conditions of accreditation for each individual.

Step 7 – Verification of working standards

The accredited organisation has to submit their test equipment to a Trading Standards laboratory for verification.

The Trading Standards laboratory may provide a verification report for the equipment. Once a report is issued, the equipment is then deemed a working standard and can be used to complete verification and inspection work.

If the equipment is not compliant, the accredited organisation cannot use the equipment for verification or inspection work.

Working standards