WGANZ cracks down on non-compliant products

The Window and Glass Association (WGANZ) is urging the government to address the increasing number of non-compliant and fraudulently certified window products entering the New Zealand market.

WGANZ CEO Brett Francis says it’s a serious problem that requires swift government action. “Windows are a fundamental and critical part of delivering safe, compliant, and energy-efficient homes for New Zealanders,” he says.

“The presence of misleading and non-compliant window products impacts homeowners across New Zealand’s built environment, undermining public safety, housing quality, and industry confidence.”

WGANZ has seen a growing number of windows and doors nationwide that do not meet Building Code requirements for structure, performance, durability, or energy efficiency.

Anecdotally, most non-compliant windows appear to be either imported or made locally with imported systems and untrained labour.

Making the problem worse is the growing use of fake or altered compliance documents to make low-quality window products appear approved to councils and builders.

Brett says it is concerning that this widespread issue is also exposing homeowners, builders and councils to liability.

“Homeowners, builders, and councils carry the risk when building products fail, even though there is an expectation that compliance of windows and glass products has been verified at the time of purchase.

“This can lead to not only safety risks but also significant financial losses through costly remediation work down the line.”

He says that over the years, there has been little action taken by agencies to enforce standards and prosecute fraudulent behaviour within our sector.

“It is more urgent than ever before to take action, as we are seeing non-compliant building products increasing exponentially in our sector.

“New Zealanders deserve to live in safe and compliant homes, and we urge the government to strengthen its enforcement activities, such as tightening its certification audits, including spot checks, to ensure we have a trusted and robust quality check and compliance process for window and glass products in the New Zealand market.”

Beyond regulatory compliance, non-compliant windows pose real safety and financial risks for homeowners. Substandard windows are more likely to fail during storms, earthquakes, or other extreme events, putting occupants at risk of injury.

Poorly performing windows can also lead to heat loss, higher energy bills, condensation, and even mould growth, affecting both comfort and health. In some cases, non-compliant products may compromise fire safety or evacuation routes, while also exposing homeowners, builders, and councils to costly remediation or insurance complications.