Federal Trade Commission

The FTC is a bipartisan federal agency with a unique dual mission to protect consumers and promote competition. The Commission also has federal rule-making authority to issue industry-wide regulations. Commission rules are published in Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Section 305, Energy and Water Use Labeling for Consumer Products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (“Energy Labeling Rule”), applies to our members consumer products. The rule establishes requirements for labeling consumer appliance products to show the energy usage.

Regulations

Energy Labeling Rule

Summary: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a Federal Register notice proposing amendments to the Energy Labeling Rule to make the Rule easier to use by reorganizing several sections, amending language to increase clarity, and eliminating several obsolete provisions. The proposed amendments are not intended to have substantive impact on the Rule’s requirements.

Type of Regulation: NOPR

Rulemaking Link: Rulemaking Webpage

Docket ID: R611004

Updates:

• Posted: October 30, 2019 — Final Rule
• Posted: March 14, 2019 — Notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR)

Comment Period Close Date: Closed

AHRI Comments to Previous Stages of Rulemaking:

• 2019-04-15 — AHRI comments on NOPR regarding amendments to the Energy Labeling Rule

 

Rule Concerning Disclosures Regarding Energy Consumption and Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Required Under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act

Summary: The Commission proposes amendments to the Energy Labeling Rule to create requirements related to a new label database on the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Web site, redesign ceiling fan labels, improve and update the comparability ranges for refrigerator labels, revise central air conditioner labels in response to new DOE enforcement requirements, improve water heater labels, and update current plumbing disclosures.

Type of Regulation: NOPR

Rulemaking Link: Comments on Rulemaking

Docket ID: FTC-2015-0112

UPDATES:

• Posted: September 15, 2016 — Final Rule
• Posted: September 12, 2016 — Notice of proposed rulemaking for instantaneous electric water heaters
• Posted: November 2, 2015 — Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Comment Period Close Date: Closed

Where to Comment: FTC-2015-0112

AHRI Comments to Previous Stages of Rulemaking:

• 11/14/2016: AHRI comments to September 12, 2016 NOPR
• 1/11/2016: Comments Posted by AHRI to November 2, 2015 NOPR

 

Energy and Water Use Labeling for Consumer Products Under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (“Energy Labeling Rule”)

Summary: The Commission proposes to amend the Energy Labeling Rule (‘‘Rule’’) by updating ranges of comparability and unit energy cost figures on EnergyGuide labels for dishwashers, furnaces, room air conditioners, and pool heaters.

Type of Regulation: Energy Labeling Rule

Rulemaking Link: Rulemaking webpage

Docket ID: FTC-2018-0032

UPDATES:

• Posted: April 5, 2018 — Correction; Final rule
• Posted: February 22, 2018 — Final Rule
• Posted: November 9, 2017 — Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Comment Period Close Date: Closed