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FTC RIN: 3084-AB15 Publication ID: Fall 2013 
Title: RULE CONCERNING ENERGY AND WATER USE LABELING FOF CONSUMER PRODUCTS 
Abstract: As part of its systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the Commission issued an NPRM seeking public comment on proposed changes to its Appliance Labeling Rule (now known as the Energy Labeling Rule), which requires energy efficiency labels for major household appliances and other consumer products. 77 FR 15298 (Mar. 15, 2012). The FTC sought comments on the Rule's benefits and costs, and on several proposed changes, including whether the Commission should eliminate duplicative reporting requirements for manufacturers, require a uniform method for attaching labels to appliances, place EnergyGuide labels on room air conditioner packages instead of the products, improve website disclosures, and revise ceiling fan labels. The comment period closed on May 16, 2012. On January 10, 2013, the Commission amended the Rule by streamlining data reporting requirements for manufacturers, clarifying testing requirements and enforcement provisions, improving online energy label disclosures, and making several minor technical changes and corrections. 78 FR 2200. The Commission continues to consider other issues related to this regulatory review (including whether to expand the "Lighting Facts" label coverage to additional bulb types and a specific test procedure for light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, 76 FR 45715 (Aug. 1, 2011)) and may seek comment on additional proposals in the future. In a separate proceeding, on January 9, 2013, the Commission proposed amending the Energy Labeling Rule by updating ranges of comparability and unit energy cost figures for many EnergyGuide labels. See 78 FR 1779. The Commission also sought comment on a proposed exemption request by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) to help consumers compare the labels on refrigerators and clothes washers after the implementation of upcoming changes to the DOE test procedures for those products. The comment period initially closed on March 1, 2013, but was reopened on March 21 until April 1, 2013. On July 23, 2013, the Commission issued new EnergyGuide labels for refrigerators and clothes washers, and updated comparative energy consumption information on labels for other appliances, to help consumers compare products in light of new Department of Energy (DOE) tests for measuring energy costs. See 78 FR 43974 (final rule). The amendments are effective on November 15, 2013. For refrigerators and clothes washers, the Commission plans to update range and cost information after the upcoming implementation of revised DOE standards and test procedures, which will significantly change energy use data for those products. Finally, for televisions, the Commission plans to issue revisions to the television ranges in 16 CFR 305.17 after DOE adopts a test procedure. 77 FR 2830 (Jan. 19, 2012) (proposed DOE test procedure). 
Agency: Federal Trade Commission(FTC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 16 CFR 305   
Legal Authority: sec 321 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA)    sec 325 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Other    15 months after DOE issued their final efficiency standards on October 25, 2011  01/25/2013 

Overall Description of Deadline: Regional Efficiency Standards--Fifteen months after the Department of Energy (DOE) issued their final efficiency standards on October 25, 2011.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
ANPRM  07/17/2008  73 FR 40988   
Public Meeting  09/15/2008    
ANPRM Comment Period End  09/29/2008    
ANPRM (Consumer Electronics)  03/16/2009  74 FR 11045   
ANPRM (Consumer Electronics) Comment Period End  05/14/2009    
NPRM (Light Bulbs)  11/10/2009  74 FR 57950   
NPRM Comment Period End (Light Bulbs)  12/28/2009    
NPRM (TVs and Other Consumer Electronics)  03/11/2010  75 FR 11483   
Public Meeting (TVs and Other Consumer Electronics)  04/16/2010 
NPRM (TVs and Other Consumer Electronics) Comment Period End  05/14/2010 
Final Rule (Light Bulbs)  07/19/2010  75 FR 41696   
Technical Correction to Final Rule (Light Bulbs)  08/16/2010  75 FR 49818   
Comment Period End (Light Bulb: Other Issues)  09/20/2010    
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   
Public Meeting (Regional Efficiency Standards)  12/16/2011    
ANPRM Comment Period End (Regional Efficiency Standards)  01/10/2012    
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   
Supplemental NPRM  12/00/2013 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Governmental Jurisdictions, Organizations  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Related RINs: Related to 3084-AB11 
Agency Contact:
Hampton Newsome
Attorney
Federal Trade Commission
Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, CC-9528,
Washington, DC 20580
Phone:202 326-2889
Email: hnewsome@ftc.gov