[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-747]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 12, 1994]
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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 305
RIN 3084-AA26
Rule Concerning Disclosures of Energy Consumption and Water Use
Information About Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Required
Under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: Under the Energy and Water Use Rule, each required label on a
covered appliance must show a range, or scale, indicating the range of
energy costs or efficiencies for all models of a size or capacity
comparable to the labeled model. This notice publishes the new range
figures, which, under Secs. 305.10, 305.11 and 305.14 of the rule, must
be used on labels on refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers
manufactured on and after April 12, 1994, and in advertising of
refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers in catalogs printed
after April 12, 1994. Properly labeled refrigerators, refrigerator-
freezers, and freezers manufactured prior to the effective date need
not be relabeled. Catalogs printed prior to the effective date in
accordance with 16 CFR 305.14 need not be revised.
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 12, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James Mills, Attorney, 202-326-3035, Division of Enforcement, Federal
Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 19, 1979, the Commission issued
a final rule,\1\ pursuant to section 324 of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act of 1975,\2\ covering certain appliance categories,
including refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. The rule
requires that energy costs and related information be disclosed on
labels and in retail sales catalogs for all refrigerators,
refrigerator-freezers and freezers presently manufactured. Certain
point-of-sale promotional materials must disclose the availability of
energy usage information. If a refrigerator, refrigerator-freezer or
freezer is advertised in a catalog from which it may be purchased by
cash, charge account or credit terms, then the range of estimated
annual energy costs for the product must be included on each page of
the catalog that lists the product. The required disclosures and all
claims concerning energy consumption made in writing or in broadcast
advertisements must be based on the results of test procedures
developed by the Department of Energy, which are referenced in the
rule.
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\1\44 FR 66466. On December 10, 1987 (52 FR 46888), the
Commission amended the Appliance Labeling Rule by extending coverage
to include central air conditioners and heat pumps. On October 25,
1993 (58 FR 54955), the Commission extended the Rule's coverage to
include certain plumbing products (showerheads, faucets, water
closets and urinals).
\2\42 U.S.C. 6294.
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Section 305.8(b) of the rule requires manufacturers, after filing
an initial report, to report estimated annual operating cost or energy
efficiency annually by specified dates for each product type.\3\
Because the costs for the various types of energy change yearly, and
because manufacturers regularly add new models to their lines, improve
existing models and drop others, the data base from which the ranges of
comparability are calculated is constantly changing.
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\3\Reports for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers and freezers
are due by August 1.
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To keep the required information in line with these changes, the
Commission is empowered, under Sec. 305.10 of the rule, to publish new
ranges (but not more often than annually) if an analysis of the new
data indicates that the upper or lower limits of the ranges have
changed by more than 15%.
The new figures for the estimated annual costs of operation for
refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, which were
calculated using the 1993 representative average energy cost for
electricity (8.30 cents per kilowatt-hour) published by DOE on January
5, 1993,\4\ have been submitted and have been analyzed by the
Commission. New ranges based upon them are herewith published.
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\4\58 FR 345. The Commission published these figures on January
25, 1993, at 58 FR 5925. The cost for electricity was published as
8.30 cents per kilowatt-hour; for natural gas: 59.46 cents per
therm; for propane: 73 cents per gallon; for No. 2 heating oil:
$1.00 per gallon.
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In consideration of the foregoing, the Commission amends Appendices
A-1, A-2 and B of its of its Energy and Water Use Rule as follows
effective beginning April 12, 1994.
List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 305
Advertising, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Labeling,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Accordingly, 16 CFR part 305 is amended as follows:
PART 305--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 305 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6294.
2. In appendices A1, A2 and B, Paragraph 1 of each and the
introductory text in Paragraph 2 of each are revised to read as
follows:
Appendix A1 to Part 305--Refrigerators
1. Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ranges of estimated
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume in yearly energy costs
cubic feet ---------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 2.5..................................... $21 $30
2.5 to 4.4........................................ 5 35
4.5 to 6.4........................................ 22 34
6.5 to 8.4........................................ 31 35
8.5 to 10.4....................................... 9 37
10.5 to 12.4...................................... 38 43
12.5 to 14.4...................................... 41 46
14.5 to 16.4...................................... 19 19
16.5 and over..................................... 37 38
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2. Yearly Cost Information: Estimates on the scale are based on
a national average electric rate of 8.30 cents per kilowatt hour.
* * * * *
Appendix A2 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers
1. Range Information:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ranges of estimated
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume in yearly energy costs
cubic feet ---------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5.................................... $17 58
10.5 to 12.4...................................... 43 65
12.5 to 14.4...................................... 25 71
14.5 to 16.4...................................... 31 73
16.5 to 18.4...................................... 47 87
18.5 to 20.4...................................... 50 108
20.5 to 22.4...................................... 52 106
22.5 to 24.4...................................... 60 122
24.5 to 26.4...................................... 61 116
26.5 to 28.4...................................... 71 129
28.5 and over..................................... 73 122
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Yearly Cost Information: Estimates on the scale are based on
a national average electric rate of 8.30 cents per kilowatt hour.
* * * * *
Appendix B to Part 305--Freezers
1. Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ranges of estimated
Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated volume in yearly energy costs
cubic feet ---------------------
Low High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 5.5..................................... $14 $42
5.5 to 7.4........................................ 23 34
7.5 to 9.4........................................ 25 46
9.5 to 11.4....................................... 29 52
11.5 to 13.4...................................... 32 80
13.5 to 15.4...................................... 35 83
15.5 to 17.4...................................... 44 72
17.5 to 19.4...................................... 39 92
19.5 to 21.4...................................... 42 74
21.5 to 23.4...................................... 45 46
23.5 to 25.4...................................... 47 47
25.5 to 27.4...................................... (\1\) (\1\)
27.5 to 29.4...................................... (\1\) (\1\)
29.5 and over..................................... 140 223
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\No data submitted.
2. Yearly Cost Information: Estimates on the scale are based on
a national average electric rate of 8.30 cents per kilowatt hour.
* * * * *
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-747 Filed 1-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M