[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4999-5001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2177]



[[Page 4999]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

[Case No. CW-022]


Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to LG From the Department of 
Energy 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-022) 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 for the basic 
models set forth in its petition for waiver. Under today's decision and 
order, LG shall be required to test and rate these clothes washers 
using an alternate test procedure that takes their large capacities 
into account when measuring energy consumption.

DATES: This Decision and Order is effective February 1, 2012.

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, Email: mailto:[email protected]. Elizabeth 
Kohl, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Mail 
Stop GC-71, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. 
Telephone: (202) 586-7796, Email: 
mailto:mailto:[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (10 CFR 430.27(l), 430.401(f)(4)), 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 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 and restrictions in 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 January 25, 2012.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.

Decision and Order

In the Matter of: LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. (Case No. CW-022)

I. Background and Authority

    Title III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 
(EPCA), Pub. L. 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 clothes washers that are the focus of this notice. 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)). Part C of Title III provides for a 
similar energy efficiency program titled ``Certain Industrial 
Equipment,'' which includes commercial clothes washers and other types 
of commercial equipment.\1\ (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317) The test procedure 
for automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers (both residential and 
commercial) is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. 
(See 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(8), requiring that the test procedure for 
commercial clothes washers be the same as the test procedure 
established for residential clothes washers.)
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    \1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Parts B and C were re-designated Parts A and A-1, respectively.
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    The regulations set forth in 10 CFR parts 430.27 and 431.401 
contain provisions that enable a person to seek a waiver from the test 
procedure requirements for covered products and equipment. The 
Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (the 
Assistant Secretary) will grant a waiver if it is determined that the 
basic model for which the petition for waiver was submitted contains 
one or more design characteristics that prevents testing of the basic 
model according to the prescribed test procedures, or if the 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(l)), 
431.401(f)(4). 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. 10 CFR 
430.27(b)(1)(iii), 430.401(b)(1)(iii). The Assistant Secretary may 
grant the waiver subject to conditions, including adherence to 
alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(l), 431.401(f)(4). Waivers 
remain in effect pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m) or 
430.401(g), as appropriate.
    The waiver process also allows the Assistant Secretary to grant an 
interim waiver from test procedure requirements to manufacturers that 
have petitioned DOE for a waiver of such prescribed test procedures. 10 
CFR 430.27(g), 430.401(e)(3). An interim waiver remains in effect for 
180 days or until DOE issues its determination on the petition for 
waiver, whichever is sooner. DOE may extend an interim waiver for an 
additional 180 days. 10 CFR 430.27(h), 430.401(e)(4).
    On December 23, 2010, DOE issued enforcement guidance for large-
capacity clothes washers. This guidance can be found on DOE's Web site 
at http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/gcprod/documents/LargeCapacityRCW_guidance_122210.pdf.

II. LG's Petition for Waiver: Assertions and Determinations

    On October 31, 2011, LG submitted the instant petition for waiver 
and application for interim waiver (petition) from the test procedure 
applicable to automatic and semi-automatic clothes washers set forth in 
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix J1. LG requested a waiver to test 
specified basic models with basket volumes greater than 3.8 cubic feet 
on the basis of the test procedures contained in 10 CFR part 430, 
Subpart B, Appendix J1, with a revised Table 5.1 which extends the 
range of container volumes beyond 3.8 cubic feet. LG's October 31, 2011 
petition and DOE's grant of interim waiver were published in the 
Federal Register on November 16, 2011. 76 FR 70999. DOE received no 
comments on the LG petition.
    LG's petition seeks a waiver from the DOE test procedure because 
the mass of

[[Page 5000]]

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. The basic models specified in LG's 
February 2011 petition have capacities larger than 3.8 cubic feet. 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 requests 
that DOE grant a waiver for testing and rating based on a revised Table 
5.1, the same table as set forth in the waiver granted to LG on April 
19, 2011 (76 FR 21879). The table is identical to the Table 5.1 found 
in DOE's clothes washer test procedure Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NOPR). 75 FR 57556 (Sept. 21, 1010).
    DOE has determined that 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 specified Whirlpool's clothes washer models with 
container capacities greater than 3.8 cubic feet. 75 FR 69653 (Nov. 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. This extended Table 5.1 was set forth in DOE's 
September 2010 NOPR. On December 10, 2010, DOE granted a similar waiver 
to General Electric Company (GE), which used the same alternate test 
procedure. 75 FR 76968. DOE has also granted waivers to Electrolux (76 
FR 11440 (Mar. 2, 2011)), LG (76 FR 11233 (Mar. 1, 2011)); (76 FR 21879 
(Apr. 19, 2011)); (76 FR 79666 (Dec. 22, 2011)) and Samsung (76 FR 
13169 (Mar. 10, 2011)); 76 FR 50207 (Aug. 12, 2011)).
    DOE notes that its supplemental proposed rule (http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/pdfs/rcw_tp_snopr.pdf) to amend the test procedures for clothes washers 
makes slight adjustments to Table 5.1 to correct for rounding errors. 
(76 FR 49238, Aug. 9, 2011). The alternate test procedure set forth in 
this decision and order adopts this updated table.

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, Samsung and Electrolux, as 
well as previously to LG, 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 Electronics 
America, Inc. (Case No. CW-022) is hereby granted as set forth in the 
paragraphs in this section.
    (2) LG shall be required to test and rate the following LG models 
according to the alternate test procedure set forth in paragraph IV(3).
    Residential model groups:

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                    Model                                Brand
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WM9000H**....................................  LG
WM8500H**....................................  LG
WM3470H***...................................  LG
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    Commercial model groups:

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                    Model                                Brand
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CW2079C***...................................  LG
GCW1069**....................................  LG
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     (3) LG shall be required to test the products listed in paragraph 
IV(2) according to the test procedures for clothes washers prescribed 
by DOE at 10 CFR part 430, appendix J1, except that the expanded Table 
5.1 of this section 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

[[Page 5001]]

 
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      10.85       4.91
4.60-4.70........................  130.3-133.1       3.00       1.36      19.10       8.65      11.05       5.00
4.70-4.80........................  133.1-135.9       3.00       1.36      19.50       8.83      11.25       5.10
4.80-4.90........................  135.9-138.8       3.00       1.36      19.90       9.02      11.45       5.19
4.90-5.00........................  138.8-141.6       3.00       1.36      20.30       9.20      11.65       5.28
5.00-5.10........................  141.6-144.4       3.00       1.36      20.70       9.39      11.85       5.38
5.10-5.20........................  144.4-147.2       3.00       1.36      21.10       9.58      12.05       5.47
5.20-5.30........................  147.2-150.1       3.00       1.36      21.50       9.76      12.25       5.56
5.30-5.40........................  150.1-152.9       3.00       1.36      21.90       9.95      12.45       5.65
5.40-5.50........................  152.9-155.7       3.00       1.36      22.30      10.13      12.65       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 in this section 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) and 430.401(g).
    (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) This waiver applies only to those basic models set out in LG's 
October 31, 2011 petition for waiver and listed in section IV(2) of 
this section. Grant of this waiver does not release a petitioner from 
the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 429.


    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 25, 2012.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 2012-2177 Filed 1-31-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P