In this edition we have some information on standards required for the various level of face mask and hand sanitiser equipment and an indication from Government as to the quantities they would be wanting to source.  If you fit into this category of manufacturing, please let me know as per the message below.  There will be some manufacturers that are aiming more for the public as customers rather than Government , and they should make sure they are on our PPE register below.

Catherine Beard

027 463 3212 or cbeard@exportnz.org.nz

The Government is interested to see how much PPE could be sourced in New Zealand to the standards required and to the sorts of volumes required. See standard requirements and volumes required below:

Face mask standards:
Hand sanitiser standards:
Volumes required:

If your business has the capability to do the quality and quantities required can you please email me so I can put together an indicative list of companies for the Government.  I would need to know when you could supply by as well.  I will pass that list to the Government and they will work out a process for proceeding with companies directly.

Recently ISO and IEC announced free access to a range of standards, relevant to the global response in addressing COVID-19. More information can be found by going to the following links:

ISO webpage
SNZ Website
SNZ LinkedIn

- Catherine Beard

The Meat Industry Association has created some guidelines to their members on how to operate safely in a COVID19 environment which can be found here.

NZTE have developed a B2B marketplace. The driver behind this is that we know that New Zealand companies have extra or need additional resources currently. ("Resources" might include workforce, materials, technology, manufacturing capacity, storage, freight, and so on.)

The site is live here, and can also be accessed via our dedicated website.

Managed by NZTE on behalf of NZ Inc, it is designed to work as a matching platform to allow New Zealand businesses to connect with other New Zealand businesses that may need or have extra resource at this time. This is for urgent or timely requests or offers that have come about due to the disruption in the businesses supply chain.

We have had some feedback that some manufacturers that have not been deemed an “essential service” so are unable to operate, but they are suppliers to essential services businesses, either in New Zealand or internationally.  We are aiming compile a list of these businesses which we will pass onto the Government for their consideration.  If you are in this situation, please fill in the short survey here.

The Government is keen to get better visibility of what manufacturing capability we have in New Zealand to produce personal protection equipment (PPE).  This could be face masks (hospital grade or for people on the street) ventilator equipment, gowns, hand sanitisers or anything else that could be useful. We have had some manufacturers contact us to say they could reconfigure their operation to do face masks etc, so we are starting a capability list to pass onto Government.

Here’s the PPE Register link

or Text ‘PPE’ to 313

New Zealand Government

• Covid-19 webpage

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)

• Webpage dedicated to COVID-19 and the impact on trade

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE)

• General Covid webpage with information and support for exporters
• Specific information on airfreight options

Ministry of Transport (MOT):

• MoT Covid webpage

The webpage includes guidance on transport essential services during the Level 4 period.

Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE):

• MBIE Covid webpage

If you have specific queries about whether your business is an essential service, you can email or call 0508 377 388 (call centre is open until 6pm)

New Zealand Customs Service:

• Advice from Customs New Zealand on essential and non-essential goods

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