Governed by the Electricity Act 1992 these regulations are designed to protect public health and safety and prevent property damage related to the use and supply of electricity.

Here's a summary of the key aspects:

1. Who Can Do Electrical Work?

• Registered Electrical Workers: Most electrical work, known as "prescribed electrical work," must be carried out by a registered and licensed electrical worker.

• Homeowners: Homeowners are permitted to do a very limited range of "low-risk" tasks on their own property without being a registered electrician. These include things like replacing a light bulb or a fuse, or resetting a circuit breaker. However, any work involving fixed wiring, new installations, or modifications to the existing electrical system is strictly prohibited for unlicensed individuals.

2. Key Regulations and Standards

• The Electricity Act 1992: This is the primary legislation that establishes the overall framework for electrical safety. It outlines the responsibilities of generators, distributors, and electrical workers, and provides for the registration and licensing of electrical workers by the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB).

• The Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010: These regulations provide the detailed rules for the safe design, construction, and use of electrical works, installations, fittings, and appliances. They also define the different categories of prescribed electrical work (low-risk, high-risk, and general).

• AS/NZS 3000 (The Wiring Rules): This is the mandatory standard that all electrical work on an installation must comply with. It outlines the technical requirements for safe electrical installations. The regulations also reference other specific standards for different types of installations, such as those for photovoltaic (solar) systems, construction sites, and medical patient areas.

3. Product Safety

• Anyone who manufactures, imports, or sells electrical products in New Zealand is responsible for their safety.

• Certain high-risk and medium-risk products require an approval and/or a Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) before they can be sold.

• The sale of unsafe gas and electrical appliances is illegal.

4. Certification and Compliance

• After a registered electrician completes new or altered wiring, they must provide a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) to the homeowner. This document serves as a guarantee that the work is safe and meets legal requirements.

• Some high-risk work, such as a new home's mains supply, requires an inspection by a certified electrical inspector before it can be connected to the power network.

• In a workplace setting, employers have a duty to ensure that electrical equipment is safe. While "test and tag" is not always mandatory, it is a common and effective way to demonstrate that equipment is electrically safe, in line with the AS/NZS 3760 standard.

5. Consequences of Non-Compliance

• Unauthorized electrical work is illegal and can result in significant fines or other legal penalties.

• Home insurance policies may be voided if damage or injury is caused by electrical work that was not completed by a licensed professional.

• Defective or non-compliant work can lead to electric shock, fire, and other serious hazards.