[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 223 (Monday, November 19, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57867-57873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28438]


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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.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'') amends its 
Appliance Labeling Rule by publishing new ranges of comparability to be 
used on required labels for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and 
freezers. The Commission is also making minor, corrective amendments to 
the portions of Appendices H (Cooling Performance and Cost for Central 
Air Conditioners) and I (Heating Performance and Cost for Central Air 
Conditioners) to Part 305 that contain cost calculation formulas.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 19, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hampton Newsome, Attorney, Division of 
Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580 (202-326-
2889); [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Appliance Labeling 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.\1\ The 
Rule covers eight categories of major household appliances: 
Refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, freezers, dishwashers, clothes 
washers, water heaters (this category includes storage-type water 
heaters, gas-fired instantaneous water heaters, and heat pump water 
heaters), room air conditioners, furnaces (this category includes 
boilers), and central air conditioners (this category includes heat 
pumps). The Rule also covers pool heaters, 59 FR 49556 (Sept. 28, 
1994), and contains requirements that pertain to fluorescent lamp 
ballasts, 54 FR 28031 (July 5, 1989), certain plumbing products, 58 FR 
54955 (Oct. 25, 1993), and certain lighting products, 59 FR 25176 (May 
13, 1994, eff. May 15, 1995).
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    \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.
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    The Rule requires manufacturers of all covered appliances and pool 
heaters 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 and in catalogs. It also 
requires manufacturers of furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat 
pumps either to provide fact sheets showing additional cost 
information, or to be listed in an industry directory showing the cost 
information for their products. 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 other models (perhaps competing brands) similar to the 
labeled model. 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 by specified dates for each product type.\2\ These reports, 
which are to 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 
drop others, the data base from which the ranges of comparability are 
calculated is constantly changing. To keep the required information 
consistent with these changes, under section 305.10 of the Rule, the 
Commission will publish new ranges if an analysis of the new 
information indicates that the upper or lower limits of the ranges have 
changed by more than 15%. Otherwise, the Commission will publish a 
statement that the prior ranges remain in effect for the next year.
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    \2\ Reports for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and 
freezers are due August 1.
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New Ranges of Comparability for Refrigerators, Refrigerator-
Freezers, and Freezers

    The Commission has analyzed 2001 submissions of data for 
refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. Analysis of the 
submission indicates that the ranges for these products have changed 
significantly.\3\ Therefore, the Commission is publishing new ranges of 
comparability for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. 
Today's publication of the new ranges for refrigerators, refrigerator-
freezers, and freezers also means that, after February 19, 2002, 
manufacturers of these products must calculate the operating cost 
figures at the bottom of labels for the products using the 2001 cost 
for electricity (8.29 cents per kilowatt-hour).
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    \3\ New DOE energy conservation standards for these products 
became effective on July 1, 2001. 62 FR 23102 (April 28, 1987).
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Minor Amendments to Appendices H and I

    The Commission is also amending the cost calculation formulas 
appearing in the Appendices (H and I) to part 305 that contain, for 
central air conditioners and heat pumps, heating and cooling 
performance costs and the ranges of comparability. These formulas must 
be provided on fact sheets and in directories so consumers can 
calculate their own costs of operation for the central air conditioners 
and heat pumps that they are considering purchasing.

[[Page 57868]]

This amendment corrects some of the figures in the formulas to reflect 
the current Representative Average Unit Cost of Electricity--8.29 cents 
per kilowatt-hour--that was published by DOE on March 8, 2001 (66 FR 
13917), and by the Commission on May 21, 2001 (66 FR 27856).

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. 
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.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 305

    Advertising, Energy conservation, Household applicances, Labeling 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    1. The authority citation for part 305 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6249.


    2. 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.................................          318          338
2.5 to 4.4....................................          319          385
4.5 to 6.4....................................          383          436
6.5 to 8.4....................................          (*)          (*)
8.5 to 10.4...................................          348          380
10.5 to 12.4..................................          (*)          (*)
12.5 to 14.4..................................          (*)          (*)
14.5 to 16.4..................................          428          428
16.5 and over.................................          318         438
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy
  Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.


    3. Appendix A2 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:

     Appendix A2 to Part 305.--Refrigerators With Automatic Defrost
                           [Range Information]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Range of estimated annual
                                               energy consumption (kWh/
   Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated               yr.)
            volume in cubic feet             ---------------------------
                                                   Low          High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 2.5...............................          280           320
2.5 to 4.4..................................          292           345
4.5 to 6.4..................................          296           364
6.5 to 8.4..................................          387           387
8.5 to 10.4.................................          273           379
10.5 to 12.4................................          286           286
12.5 to 14.4................................          (*)           (*)
14.5 to 16.4................................          (*)           (*)
16.5 to 18.4................................        (396)         (438)
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.

    4. Appendix A3 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:

[[Page 57869]]



  Appendix A3 to Part 305--Refrigerator-Freezers With Partial Automatic
                                 Defrost
                            Range Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Range of estimated annual
                                               energy consumption (kWh/
   Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated               yr.)
            volume in cubic feet             ---------------------------
                                                   Low          High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5..............................          285           434
10.5 to 12.4................................          313           313
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.


    5. 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 consumption (kWh/
   Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated               yr.)
            volume in cubic feet             ---------------------------
                                                   Low          High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5..............................          356           356
10.5 to 12.4................................          408           409
12.5 to 14.4................................          394           440
14.5 to 16.4................................          372           460
16.5 to 18.4................................          414           489
18.5 to 20.4................................          416           509
20.5 to 22.4................................          457           530
22.5 to 24.4................................          499           558
24.5 to 26.4................................          523           560
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.


    6. 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 consumption (kWh/
   Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated               yr.)
            volume 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................................          623           624
20.5 to 22.4................................          568           640
22.5 to 24.4................................          605           643
24.5 to 26.4................................          591           659
26.5 to 28.4................................          (*)           (*)

[[Page 57870]]

 
28.5 and over...............................          614          679
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's
  Energy Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.


    7. 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 consumption (kWh/
   Manufacturer's rated total refrigerated               yr.)
            volume in cubic feet             ---------------------------
                                                   Low          High
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 10.5..............................          447           500
10.5 to 12.4................................          (*)           (*)
12.5 to 14.4................................          (*)           (*)
14.5 to 16.4................................          544           544
16.5 to 18.4................................          502           548
18.5 to 20.4................................          564           564
20.5 to 22.4................................          511           572
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.


    8. 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 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..................................          544          544
12.5 to 14.4..................................          544          544
14.5 to 16.4..................................          (*)          (*)
16.5 to 18.4..................................          (*)          (*)
18.5 to 20.4..................................          (*)          (*)
20.5 to 22.4..................................          555          555
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 effectively July 1, 2001.


[[Page 57871]]


 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..................................          647          650
20.5 to 22.4..................................          597          686
22.5 to 24.4..................................          617          698
24.5 to 26.4..................................          618          727
26.5 to 28.4..................................          647          751
28.5 and over.................................          691         765
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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 
2001 Representative Average Unit Cost for electricity (8.29 cents 
per kilowatt-hour), and the text below the box must identify the 
cost as such.


    10. Appendix B1 to part 305 is revised to read as follows:

     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.................................          (*)          (*)
5.5 to 7.4....................................          354          354
7.5 to 9.4....................................          372          372
9.5 to 11.4...................................          392          392
11.5 to 13.4..................................          409          410
13.5 to 15.4..................................          442          442
15.5 to 17.4..................................          477          482
17.5 to 19.4..................................          (*)          (*)
19.5 to 21.4..................................          512          527
21.5 to 23.4..................................          (*)          (*)
23.5 to 25.4..................................          580          580
25.5 to 27.4..................................          (*)          (*)
27.5 to 29.4..................................          (*)          (*)
29.5 and over.................................        1,748       1,748
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy
  Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.

    11. 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...................................          564          564
11.5 to 13.4..................................          (*)          (*)
13.5 to 15.4..................................          621          655
15.5 to 17.4..................................          682          683
17.5 to 19.4..................................          742          742

[[Page 57872]]

 
19.5 to 21.4..................................          745          763
21.5 to 23.4..................................          796          796
23.5 to 25.4..................................          (*)          (*)
25.5 to 27.4..................................          (*)          (*)
27.5 to 29.4..................................          (*)          (*)
29.5 and over.................................        2,003       2,033
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* No data submitted for units meeting the Department of Energy's Energy
  Conservation Standards effective July 1, 2001.


    12. 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.................................          166          245
5.5 to 7.4....................................          276          280
7.5 to 9.4....................................          294          294
9.5 to 11.4...................................          312          312
11.5 to 13.4..................................          350          362
13.5 to 15.4..................................          394          397
15.5 to 17.4..................................          (*)          (*)
17.5 to 19.4..................................          445          445
19.5 to 21.4..................................          480          480
21.5 to 23.4..................................          512          532
23.5 to 25.4..................................          569          570
25.5 to 27.4..................................          (*)          (*)
27.5 to 29.4..................................          (*)          (*)
29.5 and over.................................          (*)         (*)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 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 2001 Representative Average Unit Cost for 
electricity (8.29 cents per kilowatt-hour), and the text below the box 
must identify the cost as such.

    13. In section 2 of Appendix H of Part 305, the formula is revised 
to read as follows in both places that it appears:

Appendix H to Part 305--Cooling Performance and Cost for Central 
Air Conditioners

* * * * *
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19NO01.002

* * * * *

    14. In section 2 of Appendix I of Part 305, the ``NOTE'' following 
the EnergyGuide label is amended by removing the figure ``8.31 cents'' 
and by adding, in its place, the figure ``8.29 cents''. In addition, 
the formula in section 2 of Appendix I of Part 305 is revised to read 
as follows in both places that it appears:

Appendix I to Part 305--Heating Performance and Cost For Central 
Air Conditioners

* * * * *

[[Page 57873]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR19NO01.003

* * * * *

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-28438 Filed 11-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M