[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11233-11236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4486]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. CW-016]
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and
Order Granting a Waiver to LG From the Department of Energy Residential
Clothes Washer Test Procedure
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Decision and Order.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the
decision and order (Case No. CW-016) that grants to LG Electronics
U.S.A., Inc. (LG) a waiver from the DOE clothes washer test procedure
for determining the energy consumption of clothes washers. Under
today's decision and order, LG shall be required to test and rate its
clothes washers with larger clothes containers using an alternate test
procedure that takes the larger capacities into account when measuring
energy consumption.
DATES: This Decision and Order is effective March 1, 2011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Michael G. Raymond, U.S. Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2J, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW.,
Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-9611, E-mail: mail to:
[email protected].
Jennifer Tiedeman, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, Mail Stop GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 287-6111, E-mail: mail to:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR 430.27(l)), DOE gives notice of the
issuance of its decision and order as set forth below. The decision and
order grants LG a waiver from the applicable clothes washer test
procedure in 10 CFR part
[[Page 11234]]
430, subpart B, appendix J1 for certain basic models of clothes washers
with capacities greater than 3.8 cubic feet, provided that LG tests and
rates such products using the alternate test procedure described in
this notice. Today's decision prohibits LG from making representations
concerning the energy efficiency of these products unless the product
has been tested consistent with the provisions of the alternate test
procedure set forth in the decision and order below, and the
representations fairly disclose the test results. Distributors,
retailers, and private labelers are held to the same standard when
making representations regarding the energy efficiency of these
products. 42 U.S.C. 6293(c).
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 23, 2011.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Decision and Order
In the Matter of: LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. (Case No. CW-016)
I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975
(EPCA), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified)
established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other
Than Automobiles, a program covering most major household appliances,
which includes the residential clothes washers that are the focus of
this notice.\1\ Part B includes definitions, test procedures, labeling
provisions, energy conservation standards, and the authority to require
information and reports from manufacturers. Further, Part B authorizes
the Secretary of Energy to prescribe test procedures that are
reasonably designed to produce results which measure energy efficiency,
energy use, or estimated operating costs, and that are not unduly
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test procedure for
automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers is contained in 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix J1.
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\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was re-designated Part A.
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DOE's regulations for covered products contain provisions allowing
a person to seek a waiver for a particular basic model from the test
procedure requirements for covered consumer products when (1) the
petitioner's basic model for which the petition for waiver was
submitted contains one or more design characteristics that prevent
testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2) when
prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so
unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as to
provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1).
Petitioners must include in their petition any alternate test
procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a
manner representative of its energy consumption characteristics. 10 CFR
430.27(b)(1)(iii).
The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
(the Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject to conditions,
including adherence to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(l).
Waivers remain in effect pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR
430.27(m).
Any interested person who has submitted a petition for waiver may
also file an application for interim waiver of the applicable test
procedure requirements. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(2). The Assistant Secretary
will grant an interim waiver request if it is determined that the
applicant will experience economic hardship if the interim waiver is
denied, if it appears likely that the petition for waiver will be
granted, and/or the Assistant Secretary determines that it would be
desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a
determination on the petition for waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(g).
On December 23, 2010, DOE issued enforcement guidance on the
application of recently granted waivers for large-capacity clothes
washers and announced steps to improve the waiver process and refrain
from certain enforcement actions. This guidance can be found on DOE's
Web site at http://www.gc.energy.gov/1661.htm.
II. LG's Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations
On September 24, 2010, LG filed a petition for waiver from the test
procedure applicable to automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers
set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. In particular, LG
requested a waiver to test its clothes washers on the basis of the test
procedure contained in 10 CFR part 430, Subpart B, Appendix J1, with a
revised Table 5.1 extended to larger container volumes. LG's petition
was published in the Federal Register on November 24, 2010. 75 FR
71680. There was one comment on the LG petition, from Whirlpool
Corporation. Whirlpool urged that DOE process the LG waiver
expeditiously, so that clothes washers with larger clothes containers
can be tested and rated on a comparable basis.
LG's petition seeks a waiver from the DOE test procedure because
the mass of the test load used in the procedure, which is based on the
basket volume of the test unit, is currently not defined for basket
sizes greater than 3.8 cubic feet. LG manufactures basic models with
capacities greater than 3.8 cubic feet, and it is for these basic
models that LG seeks a waiver from DOE's test procedure. In addition,
if the current maximum test load mass is used to test these products,
the tested energy use would be less than the actual energy usage, and
could evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its
true energy consumption characteristics as to provide materially
inaccurate comparative data.
Table 5.1 of Appendix J1 defines the test load sizes used in the
test procedure as linear functions of the basket volume. LG has
submitted a proposed revised table to extend the maximum basket volume
from 3.8 cubic feet to 5.1 cubic feet, a table similar to one developed
by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and provided
to DOE in comments on a recently published proposed DOE residential
clothes washer test procedure Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR). 75
FR 57556 (September 21, 2010). When this rulemaking process is
complete, any amended test procedure will supersede the alternate test
procedure approved in this waiver. AHAM provided calculations to
extrapolate Table 5.1 of the current DOE test procedure to larger
container volumes. DOE believes that this is a reasonable procedure
because the DOE test procedure defines test load sizes as linear
functions of the basket volume. AHAM's extrapolation was performed on
the load weight in pounds, and AHAM appears to have used the conversion
formula of \1/2.2\ (or 0.45454545) to convert pounds to kilograms. LG
and Samsung submitted a table similar to the table proposed by AHAM,
rounding the results in kilograms to two decimal places, but with a
more accurate conversion factor of 0.45359237. However, Samsung and
LG's table does contain small rounding errors which were corrected in
the table proposed in DOE's clothes washer test procedure NOPR. The
Table 5.1 values presented below in the alternate test procedure
approved today are taken from DOE's NOPR.
As DOE has stated in the past, it is in the public interest to have
similar products tested and rated for energy consumption on a
comparable basis. Previously, DOE granted a test procedure waiver to
Whirlpool for three of Whirlpool's clothes washer models with container
capacities greater than
[[Page 11235]]
3.8 cubic feet. 75 FR 69653 (November 15, 2010). This notice contained
an alternate test procedure, which extended the linear relationship
between maximum test load size and clothes washer container volume in
Table 5.1 to include a maximum test load size of 15.4 pounds (lbs) for
clothes washer container volumes of 3.8 to 3.9 cubic feet. DOE has also
granted interim waivers to the General Electric Company (GE) (75 FR
57915 (September 23, 2010)) and to Samsung (75 FR 57937 (September 23,
2010)) for similar products. GE subsequently was granted a waiver in a
decision and order published on December 10, 2010. 75 FR 76968. All
decision and orders for this type of product use the Table 5.1 values
taken from DOE's NOPR.
III. Consultations With Other Agencies
DOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff
concerning the LG petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have any
objections to granting a waiver to LG.
IV. Conclusion
After careful consideration of all the material that was submitted
by LG, the waivers granted to Whirlpool, GE and Samsung, the clothes
washer test procedure rulemaking, and consultation with the FTC staff,
it is ordered that:
(1) The petition for waiver submitted by the LG Corporation (Case
No. CW-016) is hereby granted as set forth in the paragraphs below.
(2) LG shall not be required to test or rate the following LG
models on the basis of the current test procedure contained in 10 CFR
part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. Instead, it shall be required to test
and rate such products according to the alternate test procedure as set
forth in paragraph (3) below:
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Model Brand
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WT5001C*.................................. LG.
WT5101H*.................................. LG.
LSWF388H**................................ LG.
WM3875H***................................ LG.
WM3885H***................................ LG.
WM2701H*.................................. LG.
WM2801H***................................ LG.
WM3001H***................................ LG.
421990.................. Kenmore.
410290.................. Kenmore.
405190.................. Kenmore.
417200.................. Kenmore.
292700.................. Kenmore.
290000.................. Kenmore.
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(3) LG shall be required to test the products listed in paragraph
(2) above according to the test procedures for clothes washers
prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR part 430, appendix J1, except that, for the
LG products listed in paragraph (2) only, the expanded Table 5.1 below
shall be substituted for Table 5.1 of appendix J1.
Table 5.1--Test Load Sizes
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Container volume Minimum load Maximum load Average load
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cu. ft liter
----------------------------------------------- lb kg lb kg lb kg
>= < >= <
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0-0.8 0-22.7 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36 3.00 1.36
0.80-0.90..................... 22.7-25.5 3.00 1.36 3.50 1.59 3.25 1.47
0.90-1.00..................... 25.5-28.3 3.00 1.36 3.90 1.77 3.45 1.56
1.00-1.10..................... 28.3-31.1 3.00 1.36 4.30 1.95 3.65 1.66
1.10-1.20..................... 31.1-34.0 3.00 1.36 4.70 2.13 3.85 1.75
1.20-1.30..................... 34.0-36.8 3.00 1.36 5.10 2.31 4.05 1.84
1.30-1.40..................... 36.8-39.6 3.00 1.36 5.50 2.49 4.25 1.93
1.40-1.50..................... 39.6-42.5 3.00 1.36 5.90 2.68 4.45 2.02
1.50-1.60..................... 42.5-45.3 3.00 1.36 6.40 2.90 4.70 2.13
1.60-1.70..................... 45.3-48.1 3.00 1.36 6.80 3.08 4.90 2.22
1.70-1.80..................... 48.1-51.0 3.00 1.36 7.20 3.27 5.10 2.31
1.80-1.90..................... 51.0-53.8 3.00 1.36 7.60 3.45 5.30 2.40
1.90-2.00..................... 53.8-56.6 3.00 1.36 8.00 3.63 5.50 2.49
2.00-2.10..................... 56.6-59.5 3.00 1.36 8.40 3.81 5.70 2.59
2.10-2.20..................... 59.5-62.3 3.00 1.36 8.80 3.99 5.90 2.68
2.20-2.30..................... 62.3-65.1 3.00 1.36 9.20 4.17 6.10 2.77
2.30-2.40..................... 65.1-68.0 3.00 1.36 9.60 4.35 6.30 2.86
2.40-2.50..................... 68.0-70.8 3.00 1.36 10.00 4.54 6.50 2.95
2.50-2.60..................... 70.8-73.6 3.00 1.36 10.50 4.76 6.75 3.06
2.60-2.70..................... 73.6-76.5 3.00 1.36 10.90 4.94 6.95 3.15
2.70-2.80..................... 76.5-79.3 3.00 1.36 11.30 5.13 7.15 3.24
2.80-2.90..................... 79.3-82.1 3.00 1.36 11.70 5.31 7.35 3.33
2.90-3.00..................... 82.1-85.0 3.00 1.36 12.10 5.49 7.55 3.42
3.00-3.10..................... 85.0-87.8 3.00 1.36 12.50 5.67 7.75 3.52
3.10-3.20..................... 87.8-90.6 3.00 1.36 12.90 5.85 7.95 3.61
3.20-3.30..................... 90.6-93.4 3.00 1.36 13.30 6.03 8.15 3.70
3.30-3.40..................... 93.4-96.3 3.00 1.36 13.70 6.21 8.35 3.79
3.40-3.50..................... 96.3-99.1 3.00 1.36 14.10 6.40 8.55 3.88
3.50-3.60..................... 99.1-101.9 3.00 1.36 14.60 6.62 8.80 3.99
3.60-3.70..................... 101.9-104.8 3.00 1.36 15.00 6.80 9.00 4.08
3.70-3.80..................... 104.8-107.6 3.00 1.36 15.40 6.99 9.20 4.17
3.80-3.90..................... 107.6-110.4 3.00 1.36 15.80 7.16 9.40 4.26
3.90-4.00..................... 110.4-113.3 3.00 1.36 16.20 7.34 9.60 4.35
4.00-4.10..................... 113.3-116.1 3.00 1.36 16.60 7.53 9.80 4.45
4.10-4.20..................... 116.1-118.9 3.00 1.36 17.00 7.72 10.00 4.54
4.20-4.30..................... 118.9-121.8 3.00 1.36 17.40 7.90 10.20 4.63
4.30-4.40..................... 121.8-124.6 3.00 1.36 17.80 8.09 10.40 4.72
4.40-4.50..................... 124.6-127.4 3.00 1.36 18.20 8.27 10.60 4.82
4.50-4.60..................... 127.4-130.3 3.00 1.36 18.70 8.46 10.80 4.91
4.60-4.70..................... 130.3-133.1 3.00 1.36 19.10 8.65 11.00 5.00
[[Page 11236]]
4.70-4.80..................... 133.1-135.9 3.00 1.36 19.50 8.83 11.20 5.10
4.80-4.90..................... 135.9-138.8 3.00 1.36 19.90 9.02 11.40 5.19
4.90-5.00..................... 138.8-141.6 3.00 1.36 20.30 9.20 11.60 5.28
5.00-5.10..................... 141.6-144.4 3.00 1.36 20.70 9.39 11.90 5.38
5.10-5.20..................... 144.4-147.2 3.00 1.36 21.10 9.58 12.10 5.47
5.20-5.30..................... 147.2-150.1 3.00 1.36 21.50 9.76 12.30 5.56
5.30-5.40..................... 150.1-152.9 3.00 1.36 21.90 9.95 12.50 5.65
5.40-5.50..................... 152.9-155.7 3.00 1.36 22.30 10.13 12.70 5.75
5.50-5.60..................... 155.7-158.6 3.00 1.36 22.80 10.32 12.90 5.84
5.60-5.70..................... 158.6-161.4 3.00 1.36 23.20 10.51 13.10 5.93
5.70-5.80..................... 161.4-164.2 3.00 1.36 23.60 10.69 13.30 6.03
5.80-5.90..................... 164.2-167.1 3.00 1.36 24.00 10.88 13.50 6.12
5.90-6.00..................... 167.1-169.9 3.00 1.36 24.40 11.06 13.70 6.21
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Notes: (1) All test load weights are bone dry weights.
(2) Allowable tolerance on the test load weights are 0.10 lbs (0.05 kg).
(4) Representations. LG may make representations about the energy
use of its clothes washer products for compliance, marketing, or other
purposes only to the extent that such products have been tested in
accordance with the provisions outlined above and such representations
fairly disclose the results of such testing.
(5) This waiver shall remain in effect consistent with the
provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m).
(6) This waiver is issued on the condition that the statements,
representations, and documentary materials provided by the petitioner
are valid. DOE may revoke or modify this waiver at any time if it
determines the factual basis underlying the petition for waiver is
incorrect, or the results from the alternate test procedure are
unrepresentative of the basic models' true energy consumption
characteristics.
(7) Grant of this waiver does not release a petitioner from the
certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR 430.62.
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 23, 2011.
Cathy Zoi,
Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[FR Doc. 2011-4486 Filed 2-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P