[Federal Register: January 31, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 20)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4983-4991]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31ja06-4]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 305
Rule Concerning Disclosures Regarding Energy Consumption and
Water Use of Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Required Under
the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (``Appliance Labeling Rule'')
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'') is amending the
Appliance Labeling Rule to update ranges of comparability for compact
clothes washers, refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. In
addition, the Commission announces that ranges of comparability for
standard clothes washers will remain in effect until further notice.
Finally, the Commission is issuing minor, technical amendments to
update the definition of medium base compact fluorescent lamp and to
correct a sample heat pump label in the Rule.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 1, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hampton Newsome, Attorney, Division of
Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580 (202-326-
2889); hnewsome@ftc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Appliance Labeling Rule (``Rule'') was
issued by the Commission in 1979, 44 FR 66466 (Nov. 19, 1979), in
response to a directive in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of
1975 (``EPCA'').\1\ The Rule covers several categories of major
household appliances including refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers,
and freezers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 42 U.S.C. 6294. The statute also requires the Department of
Energy (``DOE'') to develop test procedures that measure how much
energy the appliances use, and to determine the representative
average cost a consumer pays for the different types of energy
available.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Background
The Rule requires manufacturers of all covered appliances to
disclose specific energy consumption or efficiency information (derived
from the DOE test procedures) at the point of sale in the form of an
``EnergyGuide'' label, in fact sheets (for some appliances), and in
catalogs. The Rule requires manufacturers to include, on labels and
fact sheets, an energy consumption or efficiency figure and a ``range
of comparability.'' This range shows the highest and lowest energy
consumption or efficiencies for all comparable appliance models so
consumers can compare the energy consumption or efficiency of similar
models. The Rule also requires manufacturers to include, on labels for
some products, a secondary energy usage disclosure in the form of an
estimated annual operating cost based on a specified DOE national
average cost for the fuel the appliance uses.
Section 305.8(b) of the Rule requires manufacturers, after filing
an initial report, to report certain information annually to the
Commission.\2\ These reports, which assist the Commission in preparing
the ranges of comparability, contain the estimated annual energy
consumption or energy efficiency ratings for the appliances derived
from tests performed pursuant to the DOE test procedures. Because
manufacturers regularly add new models to their lines, improve existing
models, and discontinue others, the data base from which the ranges of
comparability are calculated changes constantly. To keep the
information on labels up-to-date, the Commission, therefore, publishes
new ranges if the upper or lower limits of the ranges have changed by
more than 15%. Otherwise, the Commission publishes a statement that the
prior ranges remain in effect for the next year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Reports for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and
freezers are due August 1. Reports for clothes washers are due
October 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. 2005 Refrigerator and Clothes Washer Data
The Commission has analyzed the annual submissions of data for
clothes washers, refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers.
Analysis of the refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers
submissions indicates that the ranges for these products have changed
significantly.\3\ Therefore, the Commission is publishing new ranges of
comparability in these categories. Today's publication of the new
ranges for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers also
means that, after May 1, 2006, manufacturers of these products must
calculate the operating cost figures at the bottom of labels for the
products using the 2005 cost for electricity (9.06 cents per kilowatt-
hour) (see 70 FR 32484 (June 3, 2005)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The Commission's analysis for refrigerators, refrigerator-
freezers, and freezers excluded models with energy consumption
figures that do not meet the current DOE energy conservation
standards. See 62 FR 23102 (April 28, 1997).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analysis of the clothes washer submissions indicate that there has
been a significant change in the range for compact clothes washers but
no significant change for standard clothes washers. Manufacturers
should continue to use the existing range and energy cost information
found in the Rule for standard clothes washers. The Commission,
however, is amending the required range of comparability for compact
clothes washers to reflect the new data.\4\ The Commission is not
changing the energy cost figures (i.e., the average national prices for
electricity and natural gas) that manufacturers must use to calculate
estimated operating costs on compact clothes washer labels.
Manufacturers should continue to use the 2004 electricity and natural
gas cost figures as currently required by the Rule for both compact and
standard models. If standard and compact washer labels employed
different energy cost figures for calculating operating costs, models
with the identical energy consumption would bear labels disclosing
different annual operating costs. This could cause consumer confusion
and make it difficult for consumers to compare the operating costs of
these washer types.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Compact clothes washers account for a small fraction of the
total washer models on the market.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
III. Definition of Medium Base Compact Fluorescent Lamp
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT of 2005) (Pub. L. 109-58)
amended the definition of ``medium base compact fluorescent lamp'' in
part B of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA)
(42 U.S.C. 6291-6309). On October 18, 2005 (70 FR 60407), DOE issued
technical amendments to change, among other things, the regulatory
definition of ``medium base compact fluorescent lamp'' to make it
consistent with the amended Act. The Commission is changing the
definition of this term in its Rule so that it is consistent with DOE's
rules and the new statutory definition.
IV. Correction to Prototype Label 5 and Sample Label 9
The Commission is issuing a correction to Prototype Label 5 and
Sample Label 9 in the Rule. The word ``cooling,'' instead of
``heating,'' was incorrectly placed in the label's depiction of the
model's Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. In
[[Page 4984]]
addition, the description of the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
(SEER) for heat pumps has been changed to remove an erroneous reference
to central air conditioners.
V. Administrative Procedure Act
The amendments published in this notice involve routine, technical
and minor, or conforming changes to the labeling requirements in the
Rule. These technical amendments merely provide a routine change to the
range and cost information required on EnergyGuide labels and fact
sheets and technical corrections to the Rule. Accordingly, the
Commission finds for good cause that public comment for these
technical, procedural amendments is impractical and unnecessary (5
U.S.C. 553(b)(A)(B) and (d)).
VI. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act relating to a
Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis (5 U.S.C. 603-604) are not
applicable to this proceeding because the amendments do not impose any
new obligations on entities regulated by the Appliance Labeling Rule.
These technical amendments merely provide a routine change to the range
information required on EnergyGuide labels and make technical
corrections to the Rule. Thus, the amendments will not have a
``significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.'' 5 U.S.C. 605. The Commission has concluded, therefore, that
a regulatory flexibility analysis is not necessary, and certifies,
under Section 605 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)),
that the amendments announced today will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
VII. Paperwork Reduction Act
In a June 13, 1988 notice (53 FR 22106), the Commission stated that
the Rule contains disclosure and reporting requirements that constitute
``information collection requirements'' as defined by 5 CFR 1320.7(c),
the regulation that implements the Paperwork Reduction Act.\5\ The
Commission noted that the Rule had been reviewed and approved in 1984
by the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') and assigned OMB
Control No. 3084-0068. OMB has reviewed the Rule and extended its
approval for its recordkeeping and reporting requirements until
December 31, 2007. The amendments now being adopted do not change the
substance or frequency of the recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting
requirements and, therefore, do not require further OMB clearance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIII. Amendments
List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 305
Advertising, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Labeling,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
0
For the reasons stated in this document, the Federal Trade Commission
is amending 16 CFR part 305 as set forth below:
PART 305--RULE CONCERNING DISCLOSURES REGARDING ENERGY CONSUMPTION
AND WATER USE OF CERTAIN HOME APPLIANCES AND OTHER PRODUCTS
REQUIRED UNDER THE ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT (``APPLIANCE
LABELING RULE'')
0
1. The authority citation for part 305 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6294.
0
2. In Sec. 305.3, paragraph (l) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 305.3 Description of covered products.
* * * * *
(l) Medium base compact fluorescent lamp means an integrally
ballasted fluorescent lamp with a medium screw base, a rated input
voltage range of 115 to 130 volts and which is designed as direct
replacement for a general service incandescent lamp; however, the term
does not include--
(1) Any lamp that is--
(i) Specifically designed to be used for special purpose
applications; and
(ii) Unlikely to be used in general purpose applications, such as
the applications described in the definition of ``General Service
Incandescent Lamp'' in this section; or
(2) Any lamp not described in the definition of ``General Service
Incandescent Lamp'' in this section that is excluded by the Department
of Energy, by rule, because the lamp is--
(i) Designed for special applications; and
(ii) Unlikely to be used in general purpose applications.
* * * * *
0
3. Appendix A1 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A1 to Part 305--Refrigerators With Automatic Defrost
Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr)
(in cubic feet) -----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 2.5................................... 327 327
2.5 to 4.4...................................... 307 385
4.5 to 6.4...................................... 305 511
6.5 to 8.4...................................... (*) (*)
8.5 to 10.4..................................... 348 348
10.5 to 12.4.................................... (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4.................................... 311 311
14.5 to 16.4.................................... 428 428
16.5 and over................................... 372 438
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
0
4. Appendix A2 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A2 to Part 305--Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers With
Manual Defrost
Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr)
(in cubic feet) -----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 2.5................................... 253 318
2.5 to 4.4...................................... 260 343
4.5 to 6.4...................................... 268 357
6.5 to 8.4...................................... 277 277
8.5 to 10.4..................................... 230 336
10.5 to 12.4.................................... 288 345
12.5 to 14.4.................................... (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4.................................... (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4.................................... 335 404
18.5 to 20.4.................................... (*) (*)
20.5 to 22.4.................................... (*) (*)
22.5 to 24.4.................................... 449 449
24.5 to 26.4.................................... (*) (*)
26.5 to 28.4.................................... (*) (*)
28.5 and over................................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
0
5. Appendix A3 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
[[Page 4985]]
Appendix A3 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Partial Automatic
Defrost
Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr)
(in cubic feet) -----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.................................. 254 434
10.5 to 12.4.................................... 314 314
12.5 to 14.4.................................... (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4.................................... (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4.................................... (*) (*)
18.5 to 20.4.................................... (*) (*)
20.5 to 22.4.................................... (*) (*)
22.5 to 24.4.................................... (*) (*)
24.5 to 26.4.................................... (*) (*)
26.5 to 28.4.................................... (*) (*)
28.5 and over................................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
0
6. Appendix A4 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A4 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost
With Top-Mounted Freezer Without Through-the-Door Ice Service
Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr)
(in cubic feet) -----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.................................. 325 460
10.5 to 12.4.................................... 369 408
12.5 to 14.4.................................... 373 440
14.5 to 16.4.................................... 372 455
16.5 to 18.4.................................... 391 484
18.5 to 20.4.................................... 387 489
20.5 to 22.4.................................... 405 527
22.5 to 24.4.................................... 450 499
24.5 to 26.4.................................... 445 520
26.5 to 28.4.................................... (*) (*)
28.5 and over................................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
0
7. Appendix A5 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A5 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost
With Side-Mounted Freezer Without Through-the-Door Ice Service
Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr)
(in cubic feet) -----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.................................. 530 530
10.5 to 12.4.................................... (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4.................................... (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4.................................... (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4.................................... (*) (*)
18.5 to 20.4.................................... 610 624
20.5 to 22.4.................................... 510 640
22.5 to 24.4.................................... 643 653
24.5 to 26.4.................................... 561 661
26.5 to 28.4.................................... 668 668
28.5 and over................................... 585 689
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
0
8. Appendix A6 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A6 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost
With Bottom-Mounted Freezer Without Through-the-Door Ice Service
Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr)
(in cubic feet) -----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.................................. 430 451
10.5 to 12.4.................................... 439 500
12.5 to 14.4.................................... (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4.................................... 453 544
16.5 to 18.4.................................... 465 548
18.5 to 20.4.................................... 476 573
20.5 to 22.4.................................... 483 569
22.5 to 24.4.................................... 440 520
24.5 to 26.4.................................... 465 594
26.5 to 28.4.................................... 475 530
28.5 and over................................... 499 499
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
0
9. Appendix A7 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A7 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost
With Top-Mounted Freezer Without Through-the-Door Ice Service
Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr)
(in cubic feet) -----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.................................. (*) (*)
10.5 to 12.4.................................... (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4.................................... (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4.................................... (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4.................................... (*) (*)
18.5 to 20.4.................................... (*) (*)
20.5 to 22.4.................................... (*) (*)
22.5 to 24.4.................................... (*) (*)
24.5 to 26.4.................................... (*) (*)
26.5 to 28.4.................................... (*) (*)
28.5 and over................................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
0
10. Appendix A8 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix A8 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Automatic Defrost
With Side-Mounted Freezer With Through-the-Door Ice Service
Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr)
(in cubic feet) -----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.................................. (*) (*)
10.5 to 12.4.................................... (*) (*)
12.5 to 14.4.................................... (*) (*)
14.5 to 16.4.................................... (*) (*)
16.5 to 18.4.................................... (*) (*)
18.5 to 20.4.................................... 553 651
20.5 to 22.4.................................... 432 671
22.5 to 24.4.................................... 539 698
24.5 to 26.4.................................... 578 732
26.5 to 28.4.................................... 615 751
28.5 and over................................... 565 790
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
Cost Information for Appendices A1 Through A8
When the ranges of comparability in Appendices A1 through A8 are
used on EnergyGuide labels for refrigerators and refrigerator-
freezers, the estimated annual operating cost disclosure appearing
in the box at the bottom of the labels must be derived using the
2005 Representative Average Unit Cost for electricity (9.06[cent]
per kilowatt-hour), and the text below the box must identify the
cost as such.
0
11. Appendix B1 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
[[Page 4986]]
Appendix B1 to Part 305--Upright Freezers With Manual Defrost
Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr)
(in cubic feet) -----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 5.5................................... 272 328
5.5 to 7.4...................................... 354 354
7.5 to 9.4...................................... 292 341
9.5 to 11.4..................................... 353 392
11.5 to 13.4.................................... 354 410
13.5 to 15.4.................................... 409 341
15.5 to 17.4.................................... 430 477
17.5 to 19.4.................................... 392 392
19.5 to 21.4.................................... 512 512
21.5 to 23.4.................................... (*) (*)
23.5 to 25.4.................................... 580 580
25.5 to 27.4.................................... (*) (*)
27.5 to 29.4.................................... 477 477
29.5 and over................................... 512 512
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
0
12. Appendix B2 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix B2 to Part 305--Upright Freezers With Automatic Defrost
Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr)
(in cubic feet) -----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 5.5................................... 482 491
5.5 to 7.4...................................... (*) (*)
7.5 to 9.4...................................... (*) (*)
9.5 to 11.4..................................... (*) (*)
11.5 to 13.4.................................... 575 575
13.5 to 15.4.................................... 582 655
15.5 to 17.4.................................... 601 683
17.5 to 19.4.................................... 635 742
19.5 to 21.4.................................... 671 770
21.5 to 23.4.................................... 796 796
23.5 to 25.4.................................... 855 855
25.5 to 27.4.................................... (*) (*)
27.5 to 29.4.................................... 683 683
29.5 and over................................... (*) (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
0
13. Appendix B3 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix B3 to Part 305--Chest Freezers and All Other Freezers
Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume consumption (kWh/yr)
(in cubic feet -----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 5.5................................... 185 357
5.5 to 7.4...................................... 215 381
7.5 to 9.4...................................... 251 251
9.5 to 11.4..................................... 248 312
11.5 to 13.4.................................... 276 350
13.5 to 15.4.................................... 354 394
15.5 to 17.4.................................... 282 360
17.5 to 19.4.................................... (*) (*)
19.5 to 21.4.................................... 350 415
21.5 to 23.4.................................... 460 512
23.5 to 25.4.................................... 570 570
25.5 to 27.4.................................... 354 394
27.5 to 29.4.................................... (*) (*)
29.5 and over................................... 512 512
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.
Cost Information for Appendices B1 Through B3
When the ranges of comparability in Appendices B1 through B3 are
used on EnergyGuide labels for freezers, the estimated annual
operating cost disclosure appearing in the box at the bottom of the
labels must be derived using the 2005 Representative Average Unit
Cost for electricity (9.06[cent] per kilowatt-hour), and the text
below the box must identify the cost as such.
0
14. Appendix F2 to Part 305 is revised to read as follows:
Appendix F2 to Part 305--Compact Clothes Washers
Range Information
[``Compact'' includes all household clothes washers with a tub capacity
of less than 1.6 cu. ft.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Range of estimated
annual energy
Capacity consumption (kWh/yr)
-----------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compact......................................... 125 462
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost Information
When the above range of comparability is used on EnergyGuide
labels for compact clothes washers, the estimated annual operating
cost disclosure appearing in the box at the bottom of the labels
must be derived using the 2004 Representative Average Unit Costs for
electricity (8.60[cent] per kiloWatt-hour) and natural gas
(91.0[cent] per therm), and the text below the box must identify the
costs as such.
[[Page 4987]]
0
15. Prototype Label 1 in Appendix L to part 305 is revised to read as
follows:
* * * * *
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA06.000
[[Page 4988]]
* * * * *
0
16. Prototype Label 5 in Appendix L to part 305 is revised to read as
follows:
* * * * *
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA06.001
[[Page 4989]]
* * * * *
0
17. Sample Label 1 in Appendix L to part 305 is revised to read as
follows:
* * * * *
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA06.002
[[Page 4990]]
* * * * *
0
18. Sample Label 2 in Appendix L to part 305 is revised to read as
follows:
* * * * *
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA06.003
[[Page 4991]]
* * * * *
0
19. Sample Label 9 in Appendix L to part 305 is revised to read as
follows:
* * * * *
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR31JA06.004
* * * * *
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 06-882 Filed 1-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-C