Field Engineering and Technology
Registration of Trade Waste skill standards
The Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board has registered seven new skill standards in the Trade Waste domain.
Date new versions published May 2026
Planned review date December 2032
Summary
During the scheduled review cycle of the Water Industry qualifications and standards, a need was identified for trade waste-specific skills to support the Trade Waste sector. Trade waste consenting and enforcement specialists act on behalf of district and city councils to guide and support industrial and commercial businesses that discharge trade waste to wastewater networks, to consent those discharges, and to monitor and enforce compliance. This role is critical to protecting wastewater treatment infrastructure and the environment, as inappropriate trade waste can have significant impacts on treatment plant performance. Trade waste is regulated through council Trade Waste Bylaws, the Local Government (Water Services) Act, and requirements to meet Discharge to Water Standards.
The review was announced on the Waihanga Ara Rau Workforce Development Council’s website and industry notified by WaterNZ, the Water Industry Operators Group and the New Zealand Trade and Industrial Waters Forum in mid-2024.
Online meetings were held with a Water Services Steering Group made up of representatives from across the Water Services Industry including trade waste representatives from the New Zealand Trade and Industrial Waters forum, district councils and water operators, and key education providers between July 2025 and November 2025 to oversee development for the water services sector.
Targeted consultation with the New Zealand Trade and Industrial Waters forum and Trade Waste consent and enforcement specialists also occurred during this period to develop the suite of skill standards for trade waste.
Seven new skill standards were developed to align with the new New Zealand Certificate in Trade Waste (Consenting and Enforcement) (Level 4) qualification [Ref: 5666].
Responsibility for these standards has been transferred from Waihanga Ara Rau Workforce Development Council to Energy and Infrastructure Industry Skills Board to reflect the intent of VET reforms.
Main changes
· Seven new skill standards have been registered.
Engineering and Technology > Water Industry > Trade Waste
|
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
|
41252 |
Determine relevant legislation and regulations for trade waste compliance and enforcement |
3 |
5 |
NEW |
|
41253 |
Determine control measures, pre-treatment practices, and incident response requirements for trade waste contaminants |
4 |
10 |
NEW |
|
41254 |
Assess applications for trade waste discharge approvals and issue specific condition trade waste permits |
4 |
15 |
NEW |
|
41255 |
Carry out compliance sampling and testing for trade waste discharges |
4 |
10 |
NEW |
|
41256 |
Conduct trade waste compliance investigations for enforcement purposes |
4 |
20 |
NEW |
|
41257 |
Apply evidential proof requirements to enforce trade waste permits |
4 |
10 |
NEW |
|
41258 |
Determine trade waste impacts on wastewater treatment and compliance |
4 |
6 |
NEW |