What do the Test and Tag Colours Mean?
- echo300
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
Disclaimer
The following content from TESTntel is provided as general information. TESTntel does not accept any liability for its accuracy or completeness. Visitors using this information do so at their own risk.
When it comes to electrical safety in New Zealand, testing and tagging is a critical part of workplace compliance. But if you’ve ever walked through a site and noticed equipment with different coloured tags, you might wonder: What do all these colours actually mean?
In this article, we break it down simply — so you know what each colour represents and why it matters.
What Is Test and Tag?
Before we dive into colours, here’s a quick refresher:
Test and Tag refers to the process of inspecting, electrically testing and labelling portable electrical equipment to confirm it’s safe to use.
It’s guided by the AS/NZS 3760 standard, which lays out how often equipment should be checked, depending on the environment and risk.
Related article: Understanding Electrical Testing and Tagging Compliance with Regulations in New Zealand
What Do the Test and Tag Colours Mean?
While the standard does not mandate colour-coding, many industries — especially construction and mining — follow a widely accepted colour system. This helps everyone on-site quickly recognise when equipment was last tested and when it’s due again.
Here’s the typical New Zealand colour rotation, each colour of the Test and Tag label corresponds to a specific test period or status. For example, a Red Tag on a drill shows it was tested in the summer window, while a Blue Tag indicates it passed winter testing.
Colour | Month |
🔴 Red Tag | December, January, February |
🟢 Green Tag | March, April, May |
🔵 Blue Tag | New or First Test |
🟡 Yellow Tag | September, October, November / WARNING TAG at TESTntel |
At TESTntel, we also use Yellow Tag indicates that the appliance is failed and require to be removed.
An appliance test and tag label must include the following details, as a minimum:
A reference to the AS/NZS 3760 Standard
The name of the person or company that conducted the test
The date the appliance was tested
The next testing date, based on the validity period or the recommended testing and tagging interval
Why Are Tag Colours Important?
Quick Visual Check
Instead of digging into records, site managers can instantly see if an item is in date by glancing at the colour tag.
Boosts Safety & Compliance
On high-risk sites, using the right colour system supports Health and Safety compliance under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) and reduces the chance of using faulty equipment.
Helps Meet Client & Industry Expectations
Many principal contractors or large companies require strict adherence to colour rotation for site access or insurance compliance (e.g. appliance in construction sites require testing every 3 month).
So, the next time you encounter a Test and Tag label, take a moment to check the colour and make sure the equipment is good to go! 😉
What If My Workplace Doesn’t Use Colour Tags?
For offices, retail or low-risk environments, colour-coding may not be necessary. In these cases, simply using clear, durable tags with the next test date is acceptable — as long as records are kept, and testing follows the AS/NZS 3760 schedule.
It's also important to be fully aware of Test and Tag Frequencies for these industries.
Download a print ready Test and Tag Interval Chart.
While not strictly required under the standard, following the recognised test and tag colour system in high-risk industries like construction is best practice. It simplifies safety checks, supports compliance and keeps your site running smoothly.
If you’re unsure about your site’s tagging needs or want expert help keeping everything up to standard, reach out to our team — we’re here to help!
Please contact us by 📧 emailing customer.service@testntel.co.nz or 📞call 0800 837 8824.
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