NZS 8510:2017 is the New Zealand Standard that governs how methamphetamine contamination is tested, analysed, and remediated in properties. Whether you are a landlord, property buyer, insurer, or property manager, understanding this standard is essential — it is the benchmark against which all professional meth testing in New Zealand is measured.
What Is NZS 8510:2017?
NZS 8510:2017 — formally titled "Testing and decontamination of properties used for the manufacture or use of methamphetamine" — was published by Standards New Zealand in 2017. It replaced the earlier 2010 version and remains the current standard for all methamphetamine contamination testing in New Zealand. The standard covers the full lifecycle of contamination assessment: initial screening, detailed testing, laboratory analysis, decontamination, and post-remediation clearance.
Standards New Zealand is reviewing NZS 8510. A draft revision, DZ 8510:2026, is currently under public consultation and is not yet an adopted Standard. See EnviroCheck's overview of the NZS 8510:2026 meth testing Standard review for what the proposed changes could mean for NZ property owners.
The standard was developed in response to the growing recognition that methamphetamine residue from smoking (not just manufacture) can pose health risks in residential properties. It provides a consistent, scientifically grounded framework so that property owners, tenants, insurers, and tribunals can rely on testing results being comparable and defensible.
The 1.5 µg/100 cm² Decontamination Threshold
The most critical figure in NZS 8510:2017 is the decontamination threshold of 1.5 micrograms per 100 square centimetres (1.5 µg/100 cm²). When any sampled surface in a property exceeds this level, the standard requires the property to be decontaminated before it can be safely reoccupied. This threshold is based on toxicological assessments of the level at which methamphetamine residue may pose a health risk through dermal contact, inhalation, or ingestion.
It is important to distinguish this from the 2026 Residential Tenancies regulations, which apply separate thresholds (15 µg and 30 µg/100 cm²) for rental properties under the Residential Tenancies Act. NZS 8510:2017's 1.5 µg/100 cm² threshold remains the decontamination standard for non-rental situations — property sales, insurance assessments, and vehicles.
Sampling Methods Defined by the Standard
NZS 8510:2017 specifies two primary testing approaches:
- Screening test (Level 1): A preliminary assessment using composite samples — multiple surfaces combined into a single sample — to determine whether contamination is likely present. This is the most cost-effective starting point.
- Detailed assessment (Level 2/3): A more comprehensive test using discrete (individual) surface samples to identify exactly which rooms or surfaces are contaminated and at what concentration.
The standard also defines the sampling technique: surface wipe samples collected using gauze pads wetted with a solvent (typically methanol or isopropanol), following the NIOSH 9111 protocol or an equivalent validated method. Samples must be collected by trained personnel and analysed by an accredited laboratory.
Laboratory Accreditation Requirements
Under NZS 8510:2017, all laboratory analysis must be performed by an IANZ (International Accreditation New Zealand) accredited laboratory — or an equivalent accredited laboratory recognised under a mutual recognition arrangement. This ensures that results are analytically valid and legally defensible. Testing from non-accredited laboratories may not be accepted by the Tenancy Tribunal, insurers, or local authorities.
Clearance Testing After Decontamination
If a property exceeds the 1.5 µg/100 cm² threshold, NZS 8510:2017 requires decontamination followed by clearance testing. Clearance testing involves re-sampling the affected areas to confirm that contamination has been reduced below the threshold. Only when clearance testing confirms levels are below 1.5 µg/100 cm² can the property be considered safe for reoccupation. This process is documented in a clearance report that serves as evidence the property has been remediated to the standard.
Why NZS 8510:2017 Matters for Property Owners
For landlords, the standard provides the evidentiary framework that the Tenancy Tribunal expects when meth contamination is disputed. A pre-tenancy baseline test conducted to NZS 8510:2017 establishes the property's condition before a tenant moves in — and is the single most important document in a contamination dispute. For buyers, testing to the standard during pre-purchase due diligence ensures that any contamination is identified before settlement, not after. For insurers, NZS 8510:2017-compliant testing provides the evidentiary basis for meth contamination insurance claims.
EnviroCheck conducts all methamphetamine testing in accordance with NZS 8510:2017, using IANZ-accredited laboratory analysis. For pricing, see our meth testing cost guide. For help interpreting your results, see our understanding meth test results page. For local testing, see our meth testing Hamilton, Waikato, and Auckland pages. Contact us to discuss your testing requirements.