Colour coding on test tags is optional for most New Zealand workplaces under AS/NZS 3760:2022. It becomes mandatory only on construction, demolition and mining sites, where AS/NZS 3012 sets a fixed colour that rotates by calendar quarter.
Colour Coding for General Workplaces, AS/NZS 3760:2022
AS/NZS 3760:2022 allows a tag to be colour coded to show which period it was tested in, but it doesn't require a specific colour or system. Providers often use their own colour convention as a quick visual reference for staff, but the colour itself isn't the compliance requirement. What the standard actually requires on every tag is the tester's name, the test date, the retest date, and a reference to AS/NZS 3760.
Colour Coding for Construction, Demolition and Mining Sites, AS/NZS 3012
On these sites, colour coding is mandatory and follows a fixed rotation:
| Quarter | Colour |
|---|---|
| December to February | Red |
| March to May | Green |
| June to August | Blue |
| September to November | Yellow |
Since these sites already follow the three month testing cycle required for construction sites, the colour gives an immediate visual check that equipment is within its current window, without needing to read the date on every tag.
Why the Colour Isn't the Compliance Requirement Itself
Whatever colour system is used, or none at all outside construction, the tag still has to carry the tester's name, the test date, the retest date and the standard it was tested to. Colour is a convenience on top of that, not a substitute for it. It also isn't a guarantee an item stays safe until its next test, see what happens if an appliance fails a test and tag for what happens when a fault turns up in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a specific test tag colour required in New Zealand? Only on construction, demolition and mining sites, where AS/NZS 3012 sets a mandatory quarterly colour rotation. Other NZ workplaces can use any colour system, or none, under AS/NZS 3760:2022.
What are the required colours for construction sites? Red for December to February, green for March to May, blue for June to August, and yellow for September to November.
Does the tag colour replace the test date on the tag? No. A compliant tag still needs the tester's name, the test date, the retest date and a reference to the applicable standard, regardless of colour.
