How to access standards
There are different ways to get standards, and there are different format options to choose from.
On this page
What works for you or your organisation will depend on your needs.
- Do you want one copy of a standard for yourself, or multiple copies of the latest versions of standards for you and others in your organisation?
- Do you want hard copies of standards that you can read and annotate offline, or digital PDF copies you can view whenever you are on a digital device?
Our options are outlined in the comparison guide below:
| Hard copy | Online library | Single user PDF | Networkable PDF | Collections | |
|
A printed and bound copy sent to you. |
PDF files you can access by logging into Standards New Zealand’s website. | A PDF file you can download. | A single PDF file you can store on your server to provide access for multiple users in your organisation. | Curated collections of popular standards targeted at a specific need. | |
| Automatically updates to latest version |
X |
✓ | X | X | ✓ |
| Print out available |
✓ |
*can print one copy only | *can print one copy only | X | * can print 10% of total PDFs |
| Accessible for many users |
X |
✓ | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| Downloadable to use on site |
X |
✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Accessed anywhere through your online account |
X |
✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Available immediately |
X |
✓ | ✓ | X | ✓ |
* For more details refer to the Terms and conditions
Know what you are looking for?
Simply use the search box at the top of the site or go to ‘Browse standards’. This will let you search thousands of New Zealand, joint Australian/New Zealand and International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and British standards (BSI) in our online shop.
You can use the search box to look for a specific standard number, name, industry or topic (for example, timber). You can also refine your search using the ‘Filter by’ or ‘Refine’ options to choose a specific publisher (for example, ISO).
For more information see, Guide to searching on our new website [PDF, 149 KB]
First step: set up a free account to purchase standards and keep informed
To make a purchase you will need to set up a free account with us, if you have not done this already. To do this, choose the 'Login' button at the top right of this page, then click the 'Create an account' option. You can also benefit from updates and notifications, link to an Online library or keep a record of past purchases.
For more information on setting up an account see:
Once you have set up a free account you can purchase standards by finding the products you want and adding the type of access to your shopping cart (for example, PDF, hard copy or Online Library subscription). The price will be reflected in your cart.
Online library
This is a popular option allowing best accessibility and value for money.
Our Online library service is a quick and efficient way to build and maintain a library of standards that give you 24/7 access to a personalised catalogue that you can download as PDFs. Benefits include access to the most up-to-date versions of your selected standards, including automatic updates when they are amended or revised. Most superseded versions of your selected standards will also be available free of charge.
Online library subscriptions can also be set up for whole organisations to allow multiple users to access standards.
For more information, visit Online library subscription.
Collections
Need some guidance on where to start with using standards? Collections provide you with a curated selection of popular standards related to a specific need or industry that you can download as PDFs. They are accessed in the same way as an Online library subscription giving you 24/7 access to the latest versions on your device. Our current range of curated collections include industry specific, full or New Zealand standards collections, plus popular and broadly applicable collections for quality management, information security, environmental management and health and safety.
Set up a free account and then visit the Collections page to discover the range. You can also build upon these to create your own online collection.
Find the right collection for you
Single user PDF
If you are looking for just one copy of a standard for your own use, you can search the standard you are looking for and choose the PDF option. After you have purchased and downloaded the PDF file, this will remain available in your account.
You may only temporarily download and print one hard copy of a PDF standard for your personal use.
If you would like to print additional copies of a PDF standard, you will need to apply for a copyright licence in order to do so.
To request a copyright licence, call us at 0800 782 632 or email the Standards enquiries team.
Hard copy standards
You can order hard copies of most New Zealand, joint Australian/New Zealand and international BSI, ISO and IEC standards through a product page in our shop by adding the ‘hard copy’ option to your cart. Should you wish to order more than 15 hard copies, email the Standards enquiries team.
Hard copy orders are usually delivered in 5 to 7 working days within New Zealand (stock permitting and if orders placed before 9am). Delays may occur if the standard is not in stock or needs to be ordered from an international standards body. If you would like an estimated delivery time for your order, call 0800 782 632 and have your customer number ready (available from your free account profile), or email the Standards enquiries team.
Asset Plus service for hard copies
Asset Plus is an update service for hardcopy (print) standards where we notify you whenever a newer version of a standard you use is available.
Each month we check your Asset Plus-registered documents against any changes in standards that have occurred in the previous month. Where these changes affect your New Zealand and joint Australian/New Zealand collection, we automatically send you a quote for the revised standards or amendments. You can then log in into your account and pay the retail price if you wish to proceed with the order. The option to include this service will be offered as you proceed through purchasing a hard copy and should you ever wish to purchase the Asset Plus service at a later date, get in touch by emailing the Standards enquiries team.
Find more information in the brochure and user guide:
Networkable PDF
A Networkable PDF is a good option if you need to share standards which are not available through our Online library platform with multiple employees within your organisation. When you purchase a Networkable PDF licence, you may store the document on your secure internal network and provide access to a number of authorised users within your organisation. This is a cost-effective way to share standards among your staff members.
The cost of your Networkable PDF licence will depend on which standards you wish to purchase and how many people need to access it at the same time (concurrent users). The minimum number of users when purchasing a Networkable PDF is three.
If you need more than 20 concurrent users, email the Standards enquiries team.
You may also want to consider an Online library subscription which allows similar access for multiple users.
Terms and conditions
For more details on each access service, see Terms and conditions.