3084-AB15 202304 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 3084 Federal Trade Commission FTC Rule Concerning Energy and Water Use Labeling for Consumer Products

On February 12, 2021, the Commission published a final rule that establishes EnergyGuide labels for portable air conditioners and requires manufacturers to label portable air conditioner units produced after October 1, 2022. 86 FR 9274 (Feb. 12, 2021). The Commission also updated the Rule to conform with new DOE energy descriptors for central air conditioner units that became effective on January 1, 2023.

On June 2, 2021, the Commission proposed updates to comparability ranges and sample labels for central air conditioners. 86 FR 29533 (June 2, 2021). The comment period closed on August 2, 2021. On October 20, 2021, the Commission issued a final rule updating the comparability ranges and sample labels for central air conditioners. 86 FR 57985 (Oct. 20, 2021). The amendments were effective on January 1, 2023.

On May 25, 2022, the Commission sought public comments on proposed updates to the Rule which would allow consumers to more accurately compare the estimated annual energy consumption for appliances before they buy them. 87 FR 31754 (May 25, 2022). The Rule requires the Commission to revise the comparability ranges and associated energy costs every five years for certain EnergyGuide labels. The Commission’s notice of proposed rulemaking seeks comments on scheduled updates to the comparability ranges that were last revised in 2017. The public comment period closed on July 11, 2022. On October 12, 2022, the Commission issued routine updates to the comparability ranges on on EnergyGuide labels for refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers, water heaters, room air conditioners (ranges only), clothes washers, furnaces, and pool heaters. 87 FR 61465 (Oct. 12, 2022).

On October 25, 2022, the Commission issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that seeks public comment on potential amendments to the Rule, including energy labels for several new consumer product categories, and other possible amendments to improve the Rule’s effectiveness, and reduce unnecessary burdens. 87 FR 64399 (Oct. 25, 2022). The comment period as extended closed on January 31, 2023. 88 FR 4796 (Jan. 25, 2023). 

]]> Substantive, Nonsignificant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Final Rule Stage No No 16 CFR 305 secs. 321 and 325 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) No ANPRM 07/17/2008 73 FR 40988 ANPRM (Consumer Electronics) 03/16/2009 74 FR 11045 NPRM (Light Bulbs) 11/10/2009 74 FR 57950 NPRM (TVs and Other Consumer Electronics) 03/11/2010 75 FR 11483 Final Rule (Light Bulbs) 07/19/2010 75 FR 41696 Technical Correction to Final Rule (Light Bulbs) 08/16/2010 75 FR 49818 NPRM (Light Bulbs) 12/29/2010 75 FR 81943 Final Rule (TVs) 01/06/2011 76 FR 1038 Final Rule (Light Bulb) 04/12/2011 76 FR 20233 NPRM (Light Bulb II) 08/01/2011 76 FR 45715 ANPRM (Regional Efficiency Standards) 11/28/2011 76 FR 72872 NPRM (Systematic Review) 03/15/2012 77 FR 15298 NPRM (Regional Efficiency Standards) 06/06/2012 77 FR 33337 NPRM (Comparability Ranges) 01/09/2013 78 FR 1779 Final Rule (Systematic Review) 01/10/2013 78 FR 2200 Final Rule (Regional Efficiency Standards) 02/06/2013 78 FR 8362 Final Rule (Comparability Ranges) 07/23/2013 78 FR 43974 NPRM (Televisions) 12/26/2013 78 FR 78305 Final Rule (Televisions) 04/09/2014 79 FR 19464 Supplemental NPRM (Systematic Review) 06/18/2014 79 FR 34642 Final Rule (Regional Efficiency Standards) 12/29/2014 79 FR 77868 ANPRM (Refrigeration Products) 12/31/2014 79 FR 78736 Final Rule (Systematic Review) 11/02/2015 80 FR 67285 NPRM (Access to Labels) 11/02/2015 80 FR 67351 Final Rule (Comparability Ranges) 02/11/2016 81 FR 7201 NPRM (Fans, Water Heaters, Plumbing) 09/12/2016 81 FR 62681 Final Rule (Access to Labels) 09/15/2016 81 FR 63634 Final Rule (Access to Labels); Correction 10/28/2016 81 FR 74917 Final Rule (Fans, Water Heaters, Plumbing) 06/28/2017 82 FR 29230 NPRM (Comparability Ranges) 11/09/2017 82 FR 52024 Final Rule (Comparability Ranges) 02/22/2018 83 FR 7593 NPRM (Non-substantive Reorganization) 03/14/2019 84 FR 9261 Final Rule (Non-substantive Reorganization) 10/30/2019 84 FR 58026 NPRM (Air Conditioners) 04/10/2020 85 FR 20218 Final Rule (Air Conditioners) 02/12/2021 86 FR 9274 NPRM (Comparability Ranges) 06/02/2021 86 FR 29533 Final Rule (Comparability Ranges) 10/20/2021 86 FR 57985 NPRM--(Comparability Ranges - 16 CFR 305.12) 05/25/2022 87 FR 31754 NPRM Comment Period End--(Comparability Ranges - 16 CFR 305.12) 07/11/2022 Final Rule (Comparability Ranges – 16 CFR 305.12) 10/12/2022 87 FR 61465 ANPRM 10/25/2022 87 FR 64399 ANPRM Extended Comment Period End 01/31/2023 88 FR 4796 Final Rule Effective Date (except for appendices E1 and L) 01/10/2023 Final Rule Effective Date (appendices E1 and L) 10/01/2023 NPRM 10/00/2023 No Businesses Governmental Jurisdictions Organizations None No No No No 3084-AB11 Related to Hampton Newsome Attorney 3084 Federal Trade Commission FTC 202 326-2889 hnewsome@ftc.gov Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, CC-9528, Washington DC 20580