Applying for a type approval

If you're wanting to use weighing or measuring equipment for trade in New Zealand it must be approved for trade, or you'll need to apply for trade approval.

Check our approvals database first

Before you consider applying for a type approval, check our approvals certificate database to make sure there are no existing approvals covering the use of your weighing/measuring equipment.

Search the approval certificate register

If you're unsure, you can contact us to check.

typeapproval@mbie.govt.nz

Types of application

An application for the approval of weighing or measuring equipment will generally fall into one of the following 4 categories.

1. Application for in-situ type approval

This type of application may be required when approved components are used to construct a complete weighing or measuring instrument. It may involve the instrument being subjected to an on-site performance evaluation (examination).

2. Application approval based on an overseas approval

If a type of weighing or measuring equipment has already been granted International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) approval by an overseas weights and measures authority, it can be submitted for partial type evaluation (examination) in New Zealand. This determines its suitability for approval in New Zealand.

In order for us to accept an approval application based on overseas approval, the overseas weights and measures authority that issued the certificate must:

  • be a full member of the OIML
  • be listed on the OIML website as an issuing authority for that particular category of instruments, and
  • have given that approval in conformity with the appropriate OIML International Recommendation(s).

International Organization of Legal Metrology(external link)

3. Application for variant to an existing type approval

This type of application is required when an instrument that has already been approved is modified, and the changes affect the technical and metrological characteristics of the instrument — and probably its weighing or measuring performance.

The instrument will require either full or partial type evaluation to determine if it still meets the performance requirements of the existing type approval.

4. Application for amendment to an existing type approval

This type of application is required when minor (administrative) changes to the Certificate of Approval are requested, and these don't affect the technical and metrological characteristics of the approved instrument.

An application for amendment can only be made by:

  • the original submitter of the approval application,
  • the equipment manufacturer, or
  • an internal memo from Trading Standards.

Free initial consultation

We offer a free initial consultation to help you understand what information you'll need to provide to apply for a type approval. If you'd like an initial consultation, send us an email with the following information:

  • your name, phone number and contact email address
  • your proposed application type — from the 4 options below under Types of application
  • a description of the instrument — eg, weighing instrument, driveway flow meter, etc.
  • instrument make and model
  • any test results and/or overseas approvals for this instrument, and
  • any specific question that you have.

Apply for a type approval

Once you're ready to apply for a type approval:

  1. Check what documentation you need to provide — see the lists below under Documentation required.
  2. Fill out the application form electronically — we can't accept hand-written applications due to issues with legibility.
  3. Submit the completed and signed form, and the required documentation, to the email or postal address at the bottom of the form.

Type approval application form [DOCX, 43 KB]

We can't accept your application without ALL of the required documentation. Once you've supplied this we'll be able to give you an estimated date of completion.

Processing fee

The fee for processing a type approval application is charged on a per-hour basis, at NZ$125.00 per hour. We need all the documentation before we can give an indication of total cost.

Notice icon Alert

We don't provide provisional approvals, and we don't accept provisional approvals from Australia.

Documentation required

Different types of weighing or measuring equipment require different approval documentation.

Weighbridge

The following relevant documentation must be provided with the approval application:

  • Schematic drawing of the weighbridge modules.
  • Written description of the basework.
  • Foundation drawings.
  • OIML R60 certificate for the load cells.
  • Technical specification sheet for the load cell.
  • Type of indicator.
  • Technical specification sheet for the indicator.
  • Any operator or service manuals.
  • Purchase order number.

Where a weighbridge is constructed using approved indicator and loadcell(s), the submitter must check and prove the compatibility by filling in the template and submitting it along with the approval application.

Compatibility template [XLSX, 56 KB]

In addition, we will carry out an in-situ approval test on the complete weighbridge unit once it's installed.

See Weighbridges for more information.

Indicator/weighing instrument

The following relevant documentation must be provided with the approval application:

  • Drawings of the instrument.
  • Overseas approval certificate.
  • Description of different components.
  • Technical specifications for the instrument.
  • Any manuals — operator/service/technical/calibration.
  • Purchase order number.
  • Sealing photos — sealing method.

Where a non-automatic weighing instrument is constructed using approved indicator and loadcell(s), the submitter must check and prove the compatibility by filling in the template and submitting it along with the approval application.

Compatibility template [XLSX, 56 KB]

We may also need to carry out an in-situ approval test on the complete unit once it's installed.

Flow measuring system

The following relevant documentation must be provided with the approval application:

  • Schematic drawing of the flow metering system.
  • Written description of the flow metering system.
  • Overseas approval certificate for the system.
  • Field of operation of the measuring system.
  • Description of different components of the measuring system.
  • Type of indicator. If the indicator is approved on its own, a separate application may be required for the indicator — if not already approved in NZ.
  • Technical specification sheet for the indicator, if applicable.
  • Any manuals — operator/service/technical/calibration.
  • Purchase order number.
  • Photos of different components that form the measuring system.
  • Specification sheet of measuring device.
  • Sealing photos — sealing method.

On-site performance testing may be required. This will be determined once all documentation has been received. An Approval Certificate is issued for the complete measuring system, but in most instances the indicator is processed separately and will be given an approval certificate on its own.