[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 220 (Thursday, November 14, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61836-61850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-24331]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 220 / Thursday, November 14, 2019 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 61836]]



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

10 CFR Part 430

[EERE-2017-BT-TP-0024]
RIN 1904-AE01


Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Microwave Ovens

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and announcement of public 
meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') proposes to amend the 
existing test procedure for microwave ovens to provide additional 
specification for the test conditions related to microwave oven clock 
displays and microwave ovens with network functions. DOE is also 
proposing editorial changes to add a section title inadvertently 
omitted and to revise two incorrect cross-references. As part of this 
proposal, DOE is announcing a public meeting to collect comments and 
data on its proposal.

DATES: 
    Meeting: DOE will hold a webinar on November 14, 2019, from 10:00 
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. See section V, ``Public Participation,'' for webinar 
registration information, participant instructions, and information 
about the capabilities available to webinar participants. If no 
participants register for the webinar then it will be cancelled.
    Comments: Written comments and information are requested and will 
be accepted before and after the public meeting, but no later than 
January 13, 2020. See section V, ``Public Participation,'' for details.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are encouraged to submit comments using 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments. Alternatively, interested 
persons may submit comments, identified by docket number EERE-2017-BT-
TP-0024, by any of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    (2) Email: [email protected]. Include the docket number and/
or RIN in the subject line of the message.
    (3) Postal Mail: Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 
(202) 287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a compact disc 
(``CD''), in which case it is not necessary to include printed copies.
    (4) Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance and Equipment Standards 
Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950 
L'Enfant Plaza SW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202) 
287-1445. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case 
it is not necessary to include printed copies.
    No telefacsimilies (faxes) will be accepted. For detailed 
instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the 
rulemaking process, see section V of this document.
    Docket: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices, public 
meeting attendee lists and transcripts, comments, and other supporting 
documents/materials, is available for review at http://www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are listed in the 
http://www.regulations.gov. index. However, some documents listed in 
the index, such as those containing information that is exempt from 
public disclosure, may not be publicly available.
    The docket web page can be found at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2017-BT-TP-0024. The docket web page will contain simple 
instructions on how to access all documents, including public comments, 
in the docket. See section V of this document for information on how to 
submit comments through http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Dr. Stephanie Johnson, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-2J, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: 
(202) 287-1943. Email: [email protected].
    Ms. Celia Sher, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General 
Counsel, GC-33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. 
Telephone: (202) 287-6122. Email: [email protected].
    For further information on how to submit a comment, review other 
public comments and the docket, or participate in the webinar, contact 
the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 287-1445 
or by email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Authority and Background
    A. Authority
    B. Background
    1. Active Mode Amendments
    2. Standby Mode Amendments
II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
III. Discussion
    A. Scope of Coverage
    B. Active Mode Test Methods
    C. Standby Mode and Off Mode Test Methods
    1. Displays and Clocks
    2. Connected Functions
    D. Section Title and Cross-Reference
    E. Integrated Annual Energy Consumption Metric
    F. Test Procedure Costs, Harmonization, and Other Topics
    1. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
    2. Harmonization with Industry Standards
    3. Other Test Procedure Topics
    G. Compliance Date and Waivers
IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review
    A. Review Under Executive Order 12866
    B. Review Under Executive Orders 13771 and 13777
    C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
    D. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    E. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
    F. Review Under Executive Order 13132
    G. Review Under Executive Order 12988
    H. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    I. Review Under the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act, 1999
    J. Review Under Executive Order 12630
    K. Review Under Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2001
    L. Review Under Executive Order 13211
    M. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration 
Act of 1974
    N. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference
V. Public Participation

[[Page 61837]]

    A. Submission of Comments
    B. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment
VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

I. Authority and Background

    Microwave ovens are included in the list of ``covered products'' 
for which DOE is authorized to establish and amend energy conservation 
standards and test procedures. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(10)) DOE's energy 
conservation standards for microwave ovens are currently prescribed at 
Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (``CFR'') part 430.32(j). 
DOE's test procedures for microwave ovens are prescribed at 10 CFR 
430.23(i) and appendix I to subpart B of 10 CFR part 430 (``Appendix 
I''). The following sections discuss DOE's authority to establish test 
procedures for microwave ovens and relevant background information 
regarding DOE's consideration of test procedures for this product.

A. Authority

    The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (``EPCA''),\1\ 
among other things, authorizes DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of 
a number of consumer products and certain industrial equipment. (42 
U.S.C. 6291-6317) Title III, Part B \2\ of EPCA established the Energy 
Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, 
which sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy 
efficiency. These products include microwave ovens, the subject of this 
document. (42 U.S.C. 6292(a)(10))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute 
as amended through America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, 
Public Law 115-270 (Oct. 23, 2018).
    \2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code, 
Part B was redesignated Part A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The energy conservation program under EPCA consists essentially of 
four parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation 
standards, and (4) certification and enforcement procedures. Relevant 
provisions of EPCA include definitions (42 U.S.C. 6291), energy 
conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6295), test procedures (42 U.S.C. 
6293), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294), and the authority to 
require information and reports from manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6296).
    The Federal testing requirements consist of test procedures that 
manufacturers of covered products must use as the basis for: (1) 
Certifying to DOE that their products comply with the applicable energy 
conservation standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6295(s)), 
and (2) making representations about the efficiency of those consumer 
products (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)). Similarly, DOE must use these test 
procedures to determine whether the products comply with relevant 
standards promulgated under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s))
    Federal energy efficiency requirements for covered products 
established under EPCA generally supersede State laws and regulations 
concerning energy conservation testing, labeling, and standards. (42 
U.S.C. 6297) DOE may, however, grant waivers of Federal preemption for 
particular State laws or regulations, in accordance with the procedures 
and other provisions of EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d))
    Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures 
DOE must follow when prescribing or amending test procedures for 
covered products. EPCA requires that any test procedures prescribed or 
amended under this section be reasonably designed to produce test 
results which measure energy efficiency, energy use or estimated annual 
operating cost of a covered product during a representative average use 
cycle or period of use and not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 
U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
    In addition, EPCA requires that DOE amend its test procedures for 
all covered products to integrate measures of standby mode and off mode 
energy consumption. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) Standby mode and off 
mode energy consumption must be incorporated into the overall energy 
efficiency, energy consumption, or other energy descriptor for each 
covered product unless the current test procedures already account for 
and incorporate standby and off mode energy consumption or such 
integration is technically infeasible. If an integrated test procedure 
is technically infeasible, DOE must prescribe a separate standby mode 
and off mode energy use test procedure for the covered product, if 
technically feasible. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)(ii)) Any such amendment 
must consider the most current versions of the International 
Electrotechnical Commission (``IEC'') Standard 62301 \3\ and IEC 
Standard 62087 \4\ as applicable. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ IEC 62301, ``Household electrical appliances--Measurement of 
standby power'' (Edition 2.0, 2011-01).
    \4\ IEC 62087, ``Methods of measurement for the power 
consumption of audio, video, and related equipment'' (Edition 3.0, 
2011-04).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If DOE determines that a test procedure amendment is warranted, it 
must publish proposed test procedures and offer the public an 
opportunity to present oral and written comments on them. (42 U.S.C. 
6293(b)(2)) EPCA also requires that, at least once every 7 years, DOE 
evaluate test procedures for each type of covered product, including 
microwave ovens, to determine whether amended test procedures would 
more accurately or fully comply with the requirements for the test 
procedures not to be unduly burdensome to conduct and be reasonably 
designed to produce test results that reflect energy efficiency, energy 
use, and estimated operating costs during a representative average use 
cycle or period of use. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A)) If the Secretary 
determines, on his own behalf or in response to a petition by any 
interested person, that a test procedure should be prescribed or 
amended, the Secretary shall promptly publish in the Federal Register 
proposed test procedures and afford interested persons an opportunity 
to present oral and written data, views, and arguments with respect to 
such procedures. The comment period on a proposed rule to amend a test 
procedure shall be at least 60 days and may not exceed 270 days. In 
prescribing or amending a test procedure, the Secretary shall take into 
account such information as the Secretary determines relevant to such 
procedure, including technological developments relating to energy use 
or energy efficiency of the type (or class) of covered products 
involved. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(2)) If DOE determines that test procedure 
revisions are not appropriate, DOE must publish its determination not 
to amend the test procedures. DOE is publishing this notice of proposed 
rulemaking (``NOPR'') in satisfaction of the 7-year review requirement 
specified in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A))

B. Background

    DOE's existing test procedure for microwave ovens appears at 
Appendix I, titled ``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy 
Consumption of Cooking Products''. For reasons discussed in the 
following sections, the current microwave oven test procedure does not 
include active mode and measures energy use only in standby mode and 
off mode. Before today, DOE issued four documents related to possible 
amendments to the test procedure: A NOPR in 2013, two requests for 
information (in 2011 and 2018), and a notice of data availability in 
2012.
1. Active Mode Amendments
    DOE originally established the test procedure for microwave ovens 
on May 10, 1978, based on a 1975 version of the industry standard 
developed by the IEC. 43 FR 20120. DOE amended the original test 
procedure in an October 3, 1997

[[Page 61838]]

final rule that measured active mode energy use only and was based on 
an updated version of IEC Standard 705--Second Edition 1988 and 
Amendment 2--1993, ``Methods for Measuring the Performance of Microwave 
Ovens for Households and Similar Purposes'' (``IEC 705''). 62 FR 51976. 
On July 22, 2010, DOE published a final rule in which it repealed the 
regulatory test procedure for measuring the cooking efficiency of 
microwave ovens. 75 FR 42579 (``July 2010 Repeal Final Rule''). In the 
July 2010 Repeal Final Rule, DOE determined that the existing microwave 
oven test procedure did not produce representative and repeatable test 
results. 75 FR 42579, 42580. DOE stated at that time that it was 
unaware of any test procedures that had been developed that addressed 
these concerns. 75 FR 42579, 42581.
    On October 24, 2011, DOE published a request for information 
(``RFI'') to inform its consideration of active mode testing 
methodologies for microwave ovens (``October 2011 RFI''). 76 FR 65631. 
DOE specifically sought information, data, and comments regarding 
representative and repeatable methods for measuring the energy use of 
microwave ovens in active mode, particularly for the microwave-only and 
convection-microwave cooking (i.e., microwave plus convection and any 
other means of cooking) modes.
    To inform its consideration of a test procedure for the microwave 
oven active mode, DOE conducted testing to evaluate potential methods 
for measuring the active mode energy use for these products, including 
the microwave-only, convection-only, and convection-microwave cooking 
modes. On June 5, 2012, DOE published a notice of data availability 
(``June 2012 NODA'') to present test results and analytical approaches 
that DOE was considering for potential amendments to the microwave oven 
test procedure and to request additional comment and information on 
these results. 77 FR 33106. In the June 2012 NODA, DOE presented test 
results from microwave-only, convection-only, and convection-microwave 
cooking mode testing using water loads, food simulation mixtures, and 
real food loads. DOE also presented test results from testing of the 
convection-only cooking mode using the aluminum test block specified in 
the DOE conventional oven test procedure then in effect.\5\
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    \5\ The DOE conventional oven test procedure in Appendix I was 
later repealed in a final rule published on December 16, 2016. 81 FR 
91418. DOE determined that the conventional oven test procedure did 
not accurately represent consumer use, as it favored conventional 
ovens with low thermal mass and did not capture cooking performance-
related benefits due to increased thermal mass of the oven cavity. 
81 FR 91418, 91423-91424.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On February 4, 2013, DOE published a NOPR (``February 2013 NOPR'') 
in which it proposed adding provisions to measure active mode energy 
use for microwave ovens, including microwave-only ovens and convection 
microwave ovens. 78 FR 7940. For measuring the energy use in microwave-
only cooking mode, DOE proposed test methods based on the November 2011 
draft version of IEC 60705, ``Household microwave ovens--Methods for 
measuring performance.'' 78 FR 7940, 7942. DOE also proposed provisions 
for measuring the energy use of convection microwave ovens in 
convection-only cooking mode based on the test procedure for 
conventional ovens in Appendix I. Id. DOE further proposed to calculate 
the energy use of convection-microwave cooking mode for convection 
microwave ovens by apportioning the microwave-only cooking mode and 
convection-only cooking mode energy consumption measurements based on 
typical consumer use. Id.
    The IEC issued an updated version of IEC 60705, ``Household 
microwave ovens--Methods for measuring performance'' Edition 4.1 on 
June 30, 2014 (``IEC 60705 Ed. 4.1'').
    On January 18, 2018, DOE published an RFI (``January 2018 RFI'') 
describing the current requirements for the microwave oven test 
procedure and requesting information on several topics including the 
feasibility of pursuing active cooking mode and fan-only mode test 
methods for microwave-only ovens and convection microwave ovens. 83 FR 
2566. DOE discussed the previous active mode test procedure proposal 
from the February 2013 NOPR and requested interested parties to provide 
updated data and information. This NOPR addresses the comments received 
in response to the January 2018 RFI regarding active mode for microwave 
ovens. DOE is not proposing an active mode test procedure.
    The interested parties that submitted relevant comments to DOE in 
response to the January 2018 RFI are listed in Table I-1.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ In addition to the five commenters listed in the table, DOE 
received two comments that were submitted anonymously and not 
relevant to the microwave oven test procedure. These comments will 
not be addressed.

                                  Table I-1--January 2018 RFI Written Comments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Organization(s)                  Reference in this NOPR                  Organization type
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appliance Standards Awareness         Joint Commenters.................  Efficiency Organizations.
 Project (``ASAP''), American
 Council for an Energy-Efficient
 Economy (``ACEEE''), Consumer
 Federation of America (``CFA''),
 Consumers Union (``CU''), National
 Consumer Law Center (``NCLC''),
 Northeast Energy Efficiency
 Partnerships (``NEEP''), Northwest
 Energy Efficiency Alliance
 (``NEEA''), and Northwest Power and
 Conservation Council (``NPCC'').
Association of Home Appliance         AHAM.............................  Trade Association.
 Manufacturers.
GE Appliances, a Haier Company......  GE...............................  Manufacturer.
Karla Quezada.......................  Karla Quezada....................  Consumer.
Whirlpool Corporation...............  Whirlpool........................  Manufacturer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On May 30, 2018, the IEC issued an additional amendment to IEC 
60705, which it consolidated into a version entitled Edition 4.2. The 
changes in this amendment related to the definition of rounding and the 
determination of usable and overall volume of the microwave oven.
2. Standby Mode Amendments
    As discussed, DOE is required to amend the test procedures for 
covered products to address standby mode and off mode energy 
consumption and to integrate such energy consumption into the energy 
descriptor for that product unless the current test procedure already 
fully account for such consumption. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) If 
integration is technically infeasible, DOE must prescribe a separate 
standby mode and off mode energy use test procedure, if technically 
feasible. Id. Any such amendment must consider the most current 
versions of IEC 62301

[[Page 61839]]

``Household electrical appliances--Measurement of standby power,'' and 
IEC 62087 ``Methods of measurement for the power consumption of audio, 
video, and related equipment.'' Id.
    On March 9, 2011, DOE published an interim final rule (``March 2011 
Interim Final Rule'') amending the test procedure for microwave ovens. 
76 FR 12825. The March 2011 Interim Final Rule incorporated by 
reference IEC 62301 First Edition 2005-06 (``IEC 62301 (First 
Edition)'') to establish test conditions and testing procedures for 
measuring the average standby mode and average off mode power 
consumption. 76 FR 12825, 12828. As authorized by EPCA, DOE also added 
definitions of ``active mode,'' ``standby mode,'' and ``off mode'' 
based on the definitions provided in IEC 62301 Edition 2.0 2011-01 
(``IEC 62301 (Second Edition)''). 76 FR 12825, 12836. In addition, DOE 
adopted language to clarify the application of IEC 62301 (First 
Edition) to measuring standby mode and off mode power. Specifically, 
DOE defined the test duration for units under test in which the 
measured standby mode power consumption of the microwave oven displays 
varies depending on the time-of-day displayed on the clock. 76 FR 
12825, 12828.
    The amendments adopted in the March 2011 Interim Final Rule became 
effective on April 8, 2011. 76 FR 12825, 12925. However, DOE noted that 
to ensure that the amended test procedure adequately addresses the EPCA 
requirement to consider the most recent version of IEC 62301, and 
recognizing that the IEC issued IEC 62301 (Second Edition) in January 
of 2011, DOE issued the microwave oven test procedure as an interim 
final rule and offered an additional 180-day comment period to consider 
whether any changes should be made to the interim final rule in light 
of publication of IEC 62301 (Second Edition). 76 FR 12825, 12830-12831. 
DOE stated that it would consider these comments and, to the extent 
necessary, publish a final rulemaking incorporating any changes. Id.
    Based in part on public comment, DOE further analyzed IEC 62301 
(Second Edition). DOE subsequently published a final rule on January 
18, 2013 (``January 2013 Final Rule''), amending the test procedure for 
microwave ovens to reference certain provisions of IEC 62301 (Second 
Edition), along with clarifying language, for the measurement of 
standby mode and off mode energy use. 78 FR 4015. For only those 
microwave oven basic models with power consumption that varies as a 
function of the time displayed, DOE maintained the existing use of IEC 
62301 (First Edition) for measuring standby mode power to minimize 
manufacturer burden. 78 FR 4015, 4021. DOE also determined that 
microwave ovens combined with other appliance functionality satisfy the 
definition of ``microwave oven'' at 10 CFR 430.2, but due to a lack of 
data and other information, did not adopt provisions to measure the 
standby mode and off mode energy use of the microwave oven component of 
these combined cooking products.\7\ 78 FR 4015, 4022.
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    \7\ Appendix I defines ``combined cooking product'' as a 
household cooking appliance that combines a cooking product with 
other appliance functionality, which may or may not include another 
cooking product. Combined cooking products include the following 
products: Conventional range, microwave/conventional cooking top, 
microwave/conventional oven, and microwave/conventional range.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the January 2018 RFI, DOE requested information on the current 
status of technology for network functions in microwave ovens, which 
may affect the standby mode energy consumption. This NOPR addresses the 
comments received in response to the January 2018 RFI regarding standby 
mode for microwave ovens and proposes minor amendments to the standby 
mode test procedures.

II. Synopsis of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    In this NOPR, DOE proposes to update Appendix I with (1) 
requirements for both the clock display and network functionality when 
testing standby and off mode and (2) technical corrections. DOE does 
not propose adding an active mode measurement.
    In particular, for the standby and off mode test procedure, DOE 
proposes requiring that (1) any clock display is turned on and remains 
on during testing, unless the clock display powers down automatically 
and the product provides no option for the consumer to prevent the 
display from powering down automatically; and (2) any network function 
is disabled during testing, if it is possible to do so by means 
provided in the manufacturer's user manual. If disabling is not 
possible, the energy use associated with network functionality should 
not be reported to DOE and will not be used to determine compliance 
with DOE energy conservation standards. DOE also proposes editorial 
changes to add a section title inadvertently left out of the test 
procedure and to revise two incorrect cross-references.
    DOE has tentatively determined that the proposed test procedure 
would not be unduly burdensome. DOE's proposed actions are summarized 
in Table II-1 and addressed in detail in section III of this document.

  Table II-1--Summary of Changes in Proposed Test Procedure Relative to
                         Current Test Procedure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Proposed test
    Current DOE test procedure           procedure         Attribution
------------------------------------------------------------------------
References paragraph 5.2 of IEC    Specifies that the    To improve
 62301 (Second Edition), which      microwave oven must   representative
 specifies that the product must    be tested with the    ness.
 be tested in accordance with       clock display on,
 manufacturer's instructions or     regardless of the
 using default settings if no       manufacturer's
 instructions are available. If     instruction or
 there are no instructions and if   default setting or
 default settings are not           supplied setting,
 indicated, then the microwave      unless the clock
 oven is tested as supplied.        display powers down
                                    automatically and
                                    the product
                                    provides no setting
                                    that allows the
                                    consumer to prevent
                                    such automatic
                                    power down.

[[Page 61840]]

 
Does not explicitly specify        Specifies that if     To improve
 configuration of a network         present, the          repeatability
 function, if present. References   network function      and
 paragraph 5.2 of IEC 62301         must be disabled.     comparability
 (Second Edition), which                                  of results.
 specifies that the product must
 be tested in accordance with
 manufacturer's instructions or
 using default settings if no
 instructions are available. If
 there are no instructions and if
 default settings are not
 indicated, then the microwave
 oven is tested as supplied. In
 DOE's previous test procedures
 for microwaves, however, DOE
 determined that it would not
 measure network functionality
 energy use. In particular, DOE
 specifically determined in its
 2012 test procedure not to
 include provisions for measuring
 energy use in network
 functionality (77 FR 65942,
 65953-54 (Oct. 31, 2012), and
 DOE's most recent test procedure
 for microwaves did not address
 network functionality (81 FR
 91418; Dec. 16, 2016).
Section title inadvertently left   Section title added,  To improve
 out and two cross-references are   and cross-            readability.
 incorrect.                         references
                                    corrected.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Discussion

    In the January 2018 RFI, DOE sought feedback on several topics such 
as the feasibility of pursuing an active mode test method for microwave 
ovens, industry trends for connected appliances, and microwave oven 
standby mode setup. 83 FR 2566. DOE received several comments in 
response to the January 2018 RFI. In the following sections, DOE 
discusses the issues identified in previous rulemakings, comments 
received from stakeholders in response to specific topics in the 
January 2018 RFI, and DOE's responses to these comments.
    DOE also received general comments in response to the January 2018 
RFI. AHAM stated that the current test procedure is accurate, 
repeatable, and reproducible, and is not unduly burdensome to conduct, 
and therefore urged DOE to issue a determination that the test 
procedure does not need to be amended. (AHAM, No. 4 at p. 2) \8\ GE and 
Whirlpool supported AHAM's comments in their entirety. (GE, No. 3 at p. 
1; Whirlpool, No. 5 at p. 1) Whirlpool additionally commented that the 
current microwave oven test procedure is clear, with no major issues 
identified with repeatability, reproducibility, representativeness, or 
test burden. (Whirlpool, No. 5 at p. 1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ A notation in the form ``AHAM, No. 4 at p. 2'' identifies a 
written comment: (1) Made AHAM; (2) recorded in document number 4 
that is filed in the docket of this test procedure rulemaking 
(Docket No. EERE-2017-BT-TP-0024, available for review at http://www.regulations.gov); and (3) which appears on page 2 of document 
number 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed in the following sections, DOE has identified several 
amendments that it has initially determined are warranted to ensure the 
repeatability of the test procedure and the representativeness of the 
results.
    AHAM commented that if DOE determines that amendments to the 
existing test procedure are warranted, any final rule for an amended 
test procedure should be issued before DOE initiates any standards 
rulemaking. According to AHAM, engineering analysis and sound policy 
conclusions can only be based on a known, final test procedure that all 
stakeholders have had the opportunity to use to evaluate design options 
and proposed standard levels. (AHAM, No. 4 at p. 2) AHAM further 
requested that DOE not publish a standards RFI or framework document 
until at least 180 days after a test procedure final rule publishes 
that would be used to determine compliance with any final standards. 
(AHAM, No. 4 at p. 2)
    DOE recognizes that a finalized test procedure allows interested 
parties to provide more effective comments on proposed standards. 
Further, if the test procedure is finalized sufficiently in advance of 
the issuance of proposed standards, manufacturers will have experience 
using the new test procedure, which may provide additional insights 
into the proposed standards. As discussed, this NOPR is proposing 
amendments to the microwave oven test procedure, not the energy 
conservation standard, which is outside the scope of this rulemaking.

A. Scope of Coverage

    This rulemaking applies to microwave ovens, which DOE defines as a 
category of cooking products which is a household cooking appliance 
consisting of a compartment designed to cook or heat food by means of 
microwave energy, including microwave ovens with or without thermal 
elements designed for surface browning of food and convection microwave 
ovens. This includes any microwave oven(s) component of a combined 
cooking product. 10 CFR 430.2. DOE is not proposing to amend the scope 
of the current microwave oven test procedure.

B. Active Mode Test Methods

    As discussed in section I.B.1 of this document, in the July 2010 
Repeal Final Rule, DOE repealed the active mode test provisions 
originally established in Appendix I because they did not produce 
representative and repeatable measurements of microwave oven energy use 
in active mode. 75 FR 42579. DOE proposed in the February 2013 NOPR to 
add provisions to the microwave oven test procedure in Appendix I for 
measuring energy use in microwave-only cooking mode based on the 
November 2011 draft version of IEC 60705. 78 FR 7940, 7946. AHAM 
commented on the February 2013 NOPR that it ``fully supports 
harmonization with IEC 60705. But DOE should not base the U.S. test 
procedure on a draft of that standard. Instead, DOE should wait to 
harmonize with the final IEC 60705.'' (AHAM, EERE-2010-BT-TP-0023, No. 
18 at p. 4) On June 30, 2014, IEC published IEC 60705 Ed. 4.1. 
Therefore, in the January 2018 RFI, DOE sought additional feedback on 
active mode test methods, including data and information that may not 
have been available at the time of the previous rulemaking. 83 FR 2566, 
2570-2572 (Jan. 18, 2018)
    In response to the January 2018 RFI, AHAM commented that adding an 
active mode measurement would

[[Page 61841]]

significantly increase test burden, contrary to the EPCA requirement 
that the test procedure not be unduly burdensome to conduct. AHAM 
explained that adding an active mode measurement would increase the 
test time by as much as five to six times the current test time of 
about 2 hours, an increase which AHAM believes is significant. AHAM 
estimated that each active mode test would likely require 2 hours, and 
because three beaker sizes would each be tested twice, the total test 
time would be about 12 hours. Further, AHAM stated that an active mode 
measurement would require new laboratory equipment and could require 
new or updated facilities due to the additional test time and test 
requirements. According to AHAM, for example, manufacturer and third-
party laboratories would likely need to build new laboratories to be 
able to maintain the current capacity, given the longer test time. AHAM 
also commented that it is not aware of companies currently conducting 
an active mode test procedure, so by requiring such methodology, DOE 
would be imposing new burden on companies. Therefore, AHAM stated that 
DOE should not amend the test procedure at this time. (AHAM, No. 4 at 
pp. 2-3) GE commented that the energy costs associated with active mode 
functionalities do not justify the burden and cost imposed on 
manufacturers to perform an active mode test. (GE, No. 3 at p. 1) GE 
commented that, based on a U.S. average electricity kilowatt-hour price 
of about 12 cents, a typical consumer using microwave-only cooking mode 
would consume energy costing less than 75 cents per month. (GE, No. 3 
at p. 2)
    AHAM also commented that an active mode test procedure would de-
harmonize the United States with the rest of the world. Even though IEC 
60705 Ed. 4.1 measures active mode, no country requires active mode 
testing for regulatory purposes to AHAM's knowledge. AHAM stated that 
this was particularly problematic because microwave ovens, perhaps more 
than any other home appliance, are global products. (AHAM, No. 4 at pp. 
1, 3)
    Further, AHAM commented that standards for active mode would not be 
economically justified. AHAM, referencing an April 8, 2009 final rule 
(``April 2009 Standards Final Rule'', 74 FR 16040), stated that DOE has 
previously found that the energy savings and emissions reductions would 
be outweighed by the large decrease in the net present value of 
consumer impacts (with almost all consumers experiencing net cost), the 
economic burden on many consumers, and the large capital conversion 
costs that could result in a reduction in industry net present value. 
AHAM does not believe this analysis would produce different results 
now. (AHAM, No. 4 at p. 3) AHAM further added that to its knowledge, no 
technology is currently available to reduce energy use in the active 
mode for either microwave-only ovens or convection microwave ovens. 
(AHAM, No. 4 at pp. 3-4)
    Conversely, the Joint Advocates supported an active mode test 
procedure, stating that DOE's analysis from the February 2013 NOPR 
showed that, on average, active mode energy consumption is almost 90 
percent of microwave oven energy use. (Joint Advocates, No. 8 at pp.1-
2) These commenters stated that an active mode test procedure would 
provide valuable consumer purchasing information, allowing 
manufacturers to distinguish efficient products, some of which may 
contain features that increase consumer utility. (Joint Advocates, No. 
8 at pp. 1-2) The Joint Advocates believe that technologies may be 
available to significantly improve efficiency in active mode, 
specifically solid-state radio-frequency (``RF'') components, which may 
also provide greater consumer utility in terms of more even heating and 
longer lifetimes. Without a test procedure, the Joint Advocates believe 
that manufacturers do not have a way to distinguish the potential 
improved performance. (Joint Advocates, No. 8 at p. 2)
    To measure the energy consumption of microwave ovens in the 
microwave-only cooking mode, the Joint Advocates supported the use of 
IEC 60705 Ed. 4.1. (Joint Advocates, No. 8 at p. 2) They cited results 
that DOE presented in the February 2013 NOPR, which were based on a 
draft version of the IEC 60705 standard, showing minimal test-to-test 
variation for each water load size.\9\ Further, the Joint Advocates 
stated that the European Committee for Electrotechnical 
Standardization's (``CENELEC'') round robin testing that evaluated the 
IEC 60705 standard found it to be repeatable and reproducible as well. 
(Joint Advocates, No. 8 at pp. 2-3) Karla Quezada supported harmonizing 
with the IEC 60705 Ed. 4.1 standard unless it would delay a test that 
may be useful with current technology and devices. (Karla Quezada, No. 
2 at p. 2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ IEC 60705 requires that the active mode energy consumption 
of a microwave oven be evaluated by heating three distinct known 
quantities of water (275g, 350g and 1000g, also called water loads) 
through multiple temperature gradients and measuring the cumulative 
energy required for the water to attain the final temperature. The 
resulting data is used to generate an energy consumption metric for 
microwave ovens.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In this document, DOE is not proposing any updates to Appendix I to 
measure microwave oven energy use in active mode. As stated, EPCA 
requires that test procedures for microwave ovens be reasonably 
designed to produce test results which measure energy efficiency or 
energy use during a representative average use cycle or period of use, 
and not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) DOE has 
initially determined that an active mode measurement for microwave 
ovens would be unduly burdensome at this time. DOE finds at this point 
that the expected increase in testing cost resulting from increased 
testing time and the potential need for new laboratory equipment and 
facility upgrades would not be justified especially because DOE 
previously determined in the April 2009 Standards Final Rule that an 
energy conservation standard for microwave oven active mode would not 
be technologically feasible and economically justified. 74 FR 16040, 
16087. In the context of evaluating the microwave test procedure, the 
circumstances that led to the determination in the April 2009 Final 
Rule have not changed substantially at this time.
    Regarding the potential use of solid-state Radio Frequency (``RF'') 
technologies, based on a review of the current state of the technology, 
this is still a new technology that is not commercially available in 
the United States. At present, it is unclear whether IEC 60705 Ed. 4.2 
would provide results that are representative of an average use cycle, 
in a repeatable manner, for microwave ovens using solid-state RF 
technologies.

C. Standby Mode and Off Mode Test Methods

1. Displays and Clocks
    In the January 2018 RFI, DOE requested feedback on certain topics 
related to microwave oven displays and clocks. DOE requested 
information about whether the standby mode and off mode test procedure 
should be amended, specifically for microwave ovens with an option to 
turn the display on or off. DOE also requested data on the difference 
in standby power consumption with the display turned on and off, as 
well as consumer usage data on how frequently consumers power off the 
clock display when this option is available, and how much consumers 
value a microwave oven clock display

[[Page 61842]]

that is capable of remaining powered on at all times. DOE also 
requested information regarding how manufacturer instructions for the 
initial setup of the microwave oven differ from the default as-shipped 
settings, and the merits of requiring initial setup in accordance with 
manufacturer instructions versus requiring testing using the default 
settings. 83 FR 2566, 2572.
    AHAM commented that the existing standby mode and off mode test 
procedure is repeatable, reproducible, representative, not unduly 
burdensome to conduct, and does not need to be amended at this time. 
AHAM believes that without available data suggesting the standby mode 
and off mode test procedure should be amended, DOE should not change 
it. (AHAM, No. 4 at pp. 1, 8) AHAM further stated that the current 
standby and off mode test is consistent with how other products are 
tested (i.e., the test unit is set up consistent with manufacturer 
instructions, and if no instructions are available, the default 
settings are used). AHAM urged DOE not to deviate from this approach, 
especially without supporting data. (AHAM, No. 4 at pp. 8-9) Karla 
Quezada commented that although manufacturers contend that the energy 
consumption of the microwave oven clock display is negligible, the 
aggregate of such small individual energy consumptions may result in 
meaningful cost to the consumer. (Karla Quezada, No. 2 at pp. 2-3) For 
the reasons discussed in the remainder of this section, DOE is 
proposing additional direction to the standby mode and off mode test 
procedure for microwave ovens, which it has initially determined will 
improve the representativeness and reproducibility of the test results.
    For microwave ovens that provide an option to turn the display on 
or off, the existing requirements in section 2.1.3 of Appendix I 
specify that these ovens are to be tested in accordance with 
manufacturer's instructions, and if no instructions are available, 
using the factory or ``default'' settings, or if such settings are not 
indicated, testing the microwave oven as supplied. Section 3.1.3.1 of 
Appendix I further specifies that for microwave ovens in which power 
varies as a function of displayed time in standby mode (e.g., as with 
microwave ovens with a clock that uses seven-segment light emitting 
diode (``LED'') displays), the clock time must be set to 3:23 prior to 
taking measurements. However, to ensure that testing is more 
representative of microwave ovens that display the clock time, DOE is 
proposing to explicitly specify that the clock display must be on 
during testing unless the clock display powers down automatically and 
the product provides no option for the consumer to prevent the display 
from powering down automatically. In a prior energy conservation 
standard proposed rulemaking, manufacturers stated that consumers 
expect that a microwave oven equipped with a display should show clock 
time while in standby mode. 73 FR 62034, 62080 (Oct. 17, 2008). 
Accordingly, DOE proposes that for microwave ovens that provide 
consumers the ability to turn the clock on or off, the unit must be set 
up such that the clock display remains on at all times during testing, 
unless the clock powers down automatically and the product provides no 
available setting for the consumer to prevent the automatic powering-
down of the clock. The requirement to set up the clock and for the 
clock to remain on would apply regardless of manufacturer instruction, 
the default setting, or the supplied setting (as specified in paragraph 
5.2 of IEC 62301 (Second Edition), which is referenced in section 2.1.3 
of Appendix I for setup instructions).
    DOE requests comment on the proposed updates to keep the clock 
display on during testing, unless the clock powers down automatically 
with no setting to allow the consumer to override this feature, and 
whether these updates would result in additional test burden. DOE also 
requests comment on consumer habits regarding the use of clock displays 
that can be optionally turned on or off.
2. Connected Functions
    In the January 2018 RFI, DOE requested information on whether to 
amend the standby mode and off mode test procedure to address microwave 
ovens that have network functions, such as Bluetooth[supreg] 
technology, including information for suitable test methods.\10\ DOE 
also requested information on whether any microwave ovens currently on 
the market include internet connections to allow for additional control 
functions, including the utility of this functionality, potential 
energy impacts, and the appropriate energy-related settings to use for 
testing. 83 FR 2566, 2573 (Jan. 18, 2018)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ A ``network'' in this context includes communication 
between two or more separate independently powered devices or 
products.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AHAM asserted that the current microwave oven test procedure does 
not require measuring network functionality. According to AHAM, these 
features are still developing, as are consumers' use and understanding 
of them, and regulating them now would likely stifle innovation and 
could, in some cases, prevent manufacturers from including such 
features. It stated that connected appliances and the market for them 
are in the early stages of development. AHAM stated that meaningful 
data on consumer use are unavailable due to limited market penetration. 
(AHAM, No. 4 at p. 9) AHAM further stated that it opposes amending the 
test procedure to account for newly developing features such as 
connected functions without national, statistically significant field 
data on consumer use. In order to avoid stifling this new area of 
innovation and its potential energy savings benefits, and to reduce the 
cumulative regulatory burden already experienced by the appliance 
industry, AHAM urged DOE not to revise the test procedure to account 
for the energy use of connected functions. (AHAM, No. 4 at p. 9) 
According to AHAM, connected features operate with different 
capabilities and may have energy saving benefits to consumers. It 
stated that connected appliances can play a critical role in increasing 
the energy efficiency of the grid and can be used by utilities to 
increase demand response by peak load shifting as well as facilitate 
increased penetration of renewable sources of power. (AHAM, No. 4 at p. 
9) GE commented that DOE's regulation of network functionality or other 
modes involving networked features would impede technology advances in 
microwave cooking products and the ``Internet of Things.'' (GE, No. 3 
at p. 3)
    The Joint Advocates commented that as connected products are 
introduced to the market, the energy use of these features should be 
captured to encourage manufacturers to provide these features with low 
power consumption, which would benefit consumers. (Joint Advocates, No. 
8 at p. 1) These commenters recommended that DOE require the 
measurement of energy use associated with Bluetooth[supreg] or internet 
connections. If the energy use of connected features is not captured in 
the test procedure, the Joint Advocates asserted that consumers will 
not have information about these features' energy use, and 
manufacturers that develop ways to provide these features with low 
power consumption will not be able to distinguish their products in the 
market. (Joint Advocates, No. 8 at p. 3) The Joint Advocates stated 
that at least one manufacturer offers a unit that uses 
Bluetooth[supreg] technology, and multiple manufacturers have plans to 
introduce ``connected microwave ovens.'' (Joint Advocates, No. 8 at p. 
3)

[[Page 61843]]

    DOE recently published an RFI on the emerging smart technology 
appliance and equipment market. 83 FR 46886 (Sept. 17, 2018). In that 
RFI, DOE sought information to better understand market trends and 
issues in the emerging market for appliances and commercial equipment 
that incorporate smart technology. DOE's intent in issuing the RFI was 
to ensure that DOE did not inadvertently impede such innovation in 
fulfilling its statutory obligations in setting efficiency standards 
for covered products and equipment. In this NOPR, DOE seeks comment on 
the same issues presented in the RFI as they may be applicable to 
microwave ovens.
    DOE is aware of microwave ovens with connected functionality that 
use either Bluetooth[supreg] or Wi-Fi to communicate with other cooking 
products, such as a range, or with a consumer, either via voice 
commands or a smartphone or tablet. Under DOE's current regulations, 
the standby energy use of a microwave oven would be affected by whether 
the network function is active. Section 2.1.3 of Appendix I generally 
specifies that a microwave oven must be installed in accordance with 
paragraph 5.2 of IEC 62301 (Second Edition), which states that the 
product must be prepared and setup in accordance with manufacturer's 
instructions, and if no instructions for use are available, then 
factory or default settings must be used, or if such settings are not 
indicated, the product must be tested as supplied. However, the current 
microwave oven test procedure does not state how to configure a network 
function, regardless of whether such instructions are provided in the 
manufacturer's instructions. For a unit that is connected to the 
internet, the speed and configuration of an internet connection could 
also impact the energy consumed by the device. Also, based on a review 
of manufacturer websites and user manuals of various appliances, as 
well as testing conducted at DOE and third-party laboratories, 
connected features are implemented in a variety of ways across 
different brands. Further, the design and operation of these features 
is continuously evolving as the nascent market begins to grow for these 
products.
    To further ensure the repeatability and comparability of test 
results between models, and consistent with the 2018 ``smart products'' 
RFI, DOE is proposing that connected features be disabled during 
testing. Because these features are relatively new and their presence 
in the market and use in field is limited, DOE does not have enough 
information to indicate what would constitute a representative 
configuration. Without this information, requiring testing with the 
network function enabled would be inappropriate. Specifically, in this 
NOPR, DOE proposes that microwave ovens that are equipped with a 
network function, such as Bluetooth[supreg] technology or the 
capability for internet connectivity (i.e., ``connected microwave 
ovens''), are to be tested with the network function disabled during 
testing. If a network function cannot be disabled per manufacturer's 
instructions in the owner's manual (e.g., by pressing a button on the 
microwave oven's control panel), DOE proposes that the energy use of 
such network functions need not be reported to DOE nor used in 
determining compliance with the applicable energy conservation 
standard. However, DOE recognizes there are alternative approaches to 
address the issue of microwaves that cannot turn the network 
functionality off. One such approach would be to require the energy use 
of the network feature be measured and subtracted from the standby mode 
energy measurement. DOE additionally requests comment on this 
alternative approach.
    DOE proposes to clarify that section 2.1.3 of Appendix I, which 
specifies that a microwave oven must be installed in accordance with 
paragraph 5.2 of IEC 62301 (Second Edition), does not apply with 
respect to measuring the energy use of network functions. Paragraph 5.2 
states, in part, that the product must be prepared and setup in 
accordance with manufacturer's instructions, and if no instructions for 
use are available, then factory or default settings must be used, or if 
such settings are not indicated, the product must be tested as 
supplied. In DOE's previous test procedures for microwaves, however, 
DOE determined that it would not measure network functionality energy 
use. In particular, DOE specifically determined in its 2012 test 
procedure not to include provisions for measuring energy use in network 
functionality (77 FR 65942, 65953-54 (Oct. 31, 2012), and DOE's most 
recent test procedure for microwaves did not address network 
functionality (81 FR 91418; Dec. 16, 2016).
    DOE requests comment on the proposed requirements for testing 
microwave ovens with network functions disabled, including its 
alternative approach of subtracting the energy used by the network 
functions from the standby mode energy consumption measurement, where 
network functions cannot be disabled.

D. Integrated Annual Energy Consumption Metric

    EPCA requires DOE to incorporate the active mode, standby mode, and 
off mode energy use values into a single energy use metric, unless it 
is technically infeasible to do so. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(2)(A)) 
Accordingly, in the January 2018 RFI, DOE requested input on methods 
for calculating an integrated annual energy use metric for microwave 
ovens. DOE also requested data on the consumer usage habits for each 
available operating mode for microwave ovens. 83 FR 2566, 2569-2570, 
2573 (Jan. 18, 2018)
    AHAM commented that because it opposes including active mode 
measurements in the microwave oven test procedure, it did not have 
feedback at this time on an integrated metric. AHAM also commented that 
it is not aware of any updated consumer usage data for microwave oven 
active modes. (AHAM, No. 4 at p. 10)
    As discussed, DOE is not proposing an active mode test method for 
microwave ovens in this NOPR. As such, consideration of an integrated 
metric is moot, and DOE is not proposing to make any changes to the 
existing metric for microwave oven energy consumption.
    DOE requests comment on maintaining the current metric for 
microwave oven energy consumption.

E. Section Title and Cross-Reference

    DOE is proposing to add a title to distinguish test procedure 
provisions regarding the power supply and to correct two cross-
references. DOE is proposing to insert ``2.2.2 Gas supply'' in Appendix 
I prior to general energy supply specifications for cooking products 
related to gas burner adjustments, natural gas, propane, and test gas. 
This title would provide parallel organization with the electrical 
supply provisions in section 2.2.1 of Appendix I and would improve 
readability. Additionally, in two places the current test procedure 
cites section 1.15 of Appendix I for the definition of ``inactive 
mode.'' The definition for ``inactive mode'' is at section 1.14. DOE is 
proposing to correct these cross-references to avoid potential 
confusion. [Update this section if section 2.2.2.1-4 is removed prior 
to this NOPR being published]

F. Test Procedure Costs, Harmonization, and Other Topics

1. Test Procedure Costs and Impact
    EPCA requires that test procedures proposed by DOE not be unduly 
burdensome to conduct. In this NOPR,

[[Page 61844]]

DOE proposes that a microwave oven clock display be turned on, 
notwithstanding the requirements in section 2.1.3 of Appendix I, which 
references paragraph 5.2 of IEC 62301 (Second Edition). That is, DOE 
proposes the following changes from the current requirements of section 
2.1.3 of Appendix I: The unit would not be installed according to 
manufacturer instructions, default setting, or supplied setting if 
necessary to ensure that the clock display remains on unless the 
microwave oven automatically powers down the clock display and the 
product provides no setting that allows the consumer to prevent the 
clock display from powering down automatically. DOE also proposes to 
clarify that a unit with a network function be tested with the network 
function disabled during testing. DOE has tentatively determined that 
these proposed amendments would not be unduly burdensome for 
manufacturers to conduct.
    The proposed amendments would not impact the scope of the test 
procedure (i.e., the proposal would not require manufacturers to test 
microwave ovens that are not already required to be tested). DOE has 
tentatively determined that the proposed amendments would not alter the 
measured energy efficiency/energy use of microwave ovens.
    To evaluate whether any microwave oven would require retesting if 
DOE finalized the direction to keep the clock display on at all times 
during testing, if possible, DOE sought to identify whether any 
microwave ovens that are currently required to be tested with the clock 
display off would be tested with the clock display on under the 
proposal in this document. DOE reviewed all microwave ovens that are 
currently certified as having standby power less than 0.5 watts in 
DOE's Compliance Certification Database.\11\ DOE selected 0.5 watts as 
the threshold value to investigate because during testing and 
investigation conducted during the previous microwave oven energy 
conservation standards final rule (78 FR 36316; published on June 17, 
2013), DOE observed that a standby power consumption of 0.5 watts or 
less typically indicates that the microwave oven uses more efficient 
components or that the microwave oven clock display is off.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ U.S. Department of Energy's Compliance Certification 
Database. Last accessed December 26, 2018. https://www.regulations.doe.gov/certification-data/products.html#q=Product_Group_s%3A*.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOE identified 50 models of microwave ovens with standby power less 
than 0.5 watts. Of those identified microwave ovens that had user 
manuals available online or that DOE tested in-house (comprising a 
total of 35 of the 50 initially identified models), DOE reviewed the 
user manuals of these models to determine the status of the microwave 
oven clock display required under the current test procedure as 
compared to the status of the microwave oven clock display if tested 
under the proposed procedure. For the models with manuals available 
online, 31 user manuals either specify that the microwave oven has an 
LED display or describe one of the features of the display screen as 
the capability to display the clock time when the microwave oven is not 
in use. The manuals also include instructions to setup the clock time.
    Given that these 31 models of microwave ovens have LED clock 
displays and/or instructions for setup of the clock time in the user 
manuals, both the current test procedure and the test procedure as 
proposed in this NOPR would require the microwave oven clock display to 
be on during testing. As noted, section 3.1.3.1 of Appendix I requires 
setting the clock to 3:23 before testing any unit with a power draw 
that varies based on the displayed time. The current procedure also 
requires setting up each unit according to manufacturer instructions 
prior to testing. Section 2.1.3 of Appendix I. These 31 models of 
microwave ovens are currently required to be tested with the microwave 
oven display clock on during testing, which would not change if DOE 
adopted the proposal in this NOPR.
    For the remaining four models of microwave ovens that have online 
user manuals, the user manual did not contain instructions to set up 
the clock time, nor any image indicating a means on the microwave 
oven's control panel to configure the clock. In these instances, the 
user manuals identified the microwave ovens as having an auto-power 
down feature that shuts off the display, and the product provides no 
option to disable this feature; thus, these units would continue to be 
tested with the clock display off under the proposed direction in this 
document.
    Based on this review of the 35 models of microwave ovens with 
available user manuals, DOE did not identify any microwave oven that 
would require retesting under the proposed requirement to always keep 
the clock display on during testing unless the clock display powers 
down automatically and the product provides no option for the consumer 
to prevent the display from powering down automatically. Therefore, 
based on this review of 35 microwave ovens, DOE has tentatively 
determined that this proposal would not have any cost burden associated 
with it. DOE requests comment on its analysis that the proposal to keep 
the clock display on at all times, if possible, would not impact 
manufacturers because no microwave ovens would require retesting or 
recertification. DOE also requests information on microwave ovens that 
allow the consumer to turn the clock on and off, and the manufacturer 
instructions provided and/or default conditions in such instances.
    Similarly, the proposed additional direction for testing microwave 
ovens equipped with a network function with the function disabled would 
not affect any measured standby power for current products. In DOE's 
previous test procedures for microwaves, DOE determined that it would 
not measure network functionality energy use. As additional 
information, DOE reviewed the user manuals of microwave ovens that have 
network functions and are currently available in the market. For the 
microwave oven that operates on Bluetooth[supreg], DOE observed that 
this function is ``off'' as shipped, and a user would need to turn it 
on manually to use it. Similarly, for microwave ovens that connect via 
Wi-Fi, users needed to manually enable the Wi-Fi connection after 
setting up the unit. Therefore, the proposal would not change the 
requirements for testing any of these microwave ovens with a network 
function.
    DOE requests comment on its understanding of the impact and 
associated costs of the proposed test procedure.
2. Harmonization With Industry Test Methods
    The test procedure for microwave ovens at Appendix I incorporates 
by reference certain provisions of IEC 62301 (Second Edition) regarding 
test conditions, equipment, setup, and methods for measuring standby 
mode and off mode power consumption. DOE seeks comment on the degree to 
which the DOE test procedure should consider and be harmonized further 
with IEC 62301 (Second Edition).
    DOE also notes, as discussed, the IEC issued IEC 60705 Ed. 4.2, but 
DOE is not proposing to incorporate it either in whole or in part. DOE 
seeks comment on whether and to what degree DOE should consider and 
harmonize the Federal test procedure for microwaves with IEC 60705 Ed. 
4.2.
    DOE also requests comment on the benefits and burdens of adopting 
any other industry/voluntary consensus-

[[Page 61845]]

based or other appropriate test method, without modification.
3. Other Test Procedure Topics
    In addition to the issues identified earlier in this document, DOE 
also welcomes comment on any other aspect of the existing test 
procedure for microwave ovens not already addressed by the specific 
areas identified in this document. DOE particularly seeks information 
that would improve the representativeness of the test procedure, as 
well as information that would help DOE create a procedure that would 
limit manufacturer test burden through streamlining or simplifying 
testing requirements. Comments regarding repeatability and 
reproducibility are also welcome.
    DOE notes that under Executive Order 13771, ``Reducing Regulation 
and Controlling Regulatory Costs,'' Executive Branch agencies such as 
DOE must manage the costs associated with the imposition of 
expenditures required to comply with Federal regulations. See 82 FR 
9339 (Feb. 3, 2017). Consistent with that Executive Order, DOE 
encourages the public to provide input on measures DOE could take to 
lower the cost of its regulations applicable to microwave ovens 
consistent with the requirements of EPCA.

G. Compliance Date and Waivers

    EPCA prescribes that all representations of energy efficiency and 
energy use, including those made on marketing materials and product 
labels, must be made in accordance with an amended test procedure, 
beginning 180 days after publication of such a test procedure final 
rule in the Federal Register. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(2)) If DOE were to 
publish an amended test procedure, EPCA provides an allowance for 
individual manufacturers to petition DOE for an extension of the 180-
day period if the manufacturer may experience undue hardship in meeting 
the deadline. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)(3)) To receive such an extension, 
petitions must be filed with DOE no later than 60 days before the end 
of the 180-day period and must detail how the manufacturer will 
experience undue hardship. Id.
    Upon the compliance date of an amended test procedure, should DOE 
issue such an amendment, any waivers that had been previously issued 
and are in effect that pertain to issues addressed by the amended test 
procedure are terminated. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(2). Recipients of any such 
waivers would be required to test the products subject to the waiver 
according to the amended test procedure as of the compliance date of 
the amended test procedure. At present, there are no waivers that 
address test procedure issues that would be addressed by the amendments 
proposed in this document.
    DOE proposes to remove the introductory note in Appendix I. The 
introductory note references the June 14, 2017 date after which any 
representations related to energy or power consumption of cooking 
products must be based upon results generated under the test procedure. 
As this date has passed, the introductory note is no longer needed.

IV. Procedural Issues and Regulatory Review

A. Review Under Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') has determined that 
test procedure rulemakings do not constitute ``significant regulatory 
actions'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory 
Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993). Accordingly, this 
action was not subject to review under the Executive Order by the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (``OIRA'') in the OMB.

B. Review Under Executive Orders 13771 and 13777

    On January 30, 2017, the President issued Executive Order 
(``E.O.'') 13771, ``Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory 
Costs.'' E.O. 13771 stated the policy of the executive branch is to be 
prudent and financially responsible in the expenditure of funds, from 
both public and private sources. E.O. 13771 stated it is essential to 
manage the costs associated with the governmental imposition of private 
expenditures required to comply with Federal regulations.
    Additionally, on February 24, 2017, the President issued E.O. 
13777, ``Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda.'' E.O. 13777 required 
the head of each agency designate an agency official as its Regulatory 
Reform Officer (``RRO''). Each RRO oversees the implementation of 
regulatory reform initiatives and policies to ensure that agencies 
effectively carry out regulatory reforms, consistent with applicable 
law. Further, E.O. 13777 requires the establishment of a regulatory 
task force at each agency. The regulatory task force is required to 
make recommendations to the agency head regarding the repeal, 
replacement, or modification of existing regulations, consistent with 
applicable law. At a minimum, each regulatory reform task force must 
attempt to identify regulations that:
    (i) Eliminate jobs, or inhibit job creation;
    (ii) Are outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective;
    (iii) Impose costs that exceed benefits;
    (iv) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with 
regulatory reform initiatives and policies;
    (v) Are inconsistent with the requirements of Information Quality 
Act, or the guidance issued pursuant to that Act, in particular those 
regulations that rely in whole or in part on data, information, or 
methods that are not publicly available or that are insufficiently 
transparent to meet the standard for reproducibility; or
    (vi) Derive from or implement Executive Orders or other 
Presidential directives that have been subsequently rescinded or 
substantially modified.
    DOE initially concludes that this rulemaking is consistent with the 
directives set forth in these executive orders. This proposed rule is 
estimated to result in no costs. Therefore, if finalized as proposed, 
this rule is expected to be an E.O. 13771 other action.

C. Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires 
preparation of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (``IRFA'') 
for any rule that by law must be proposed for public comment, unless 
the agency certifies that the rule, if promulgated, will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
As required by Executive Order 13272, ``Proper Consideration of Small 
Entities in Agency Rulemaking,'' 67 FR 53461 (Aug. 16, 2002), DOE 
published procedures and policies on February 19, 2003, to ensure that 
the potential impacts of its rules on small entities are properly 
considered during the DOE rulemaking process. 68 FR 7990. DOE has made 
its procedures and policies available on the Office of the General 
Counsel's website: http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel.
    DOE reviewed this proposed rule to amend the test procedures for 
microwave ovens under the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
and the procedures and policies published on February 19, 2003. DOE has 
tentatively determined that this proposed test procedure, if adopted, 
would not significantly increase the costs to microwave oven 
manufacturers.
    DOE uses the Small Business Administration's (``SBA'') small 
business size standards to determine whether manufacturers qualify as 
small businesses, which are listed by the

[[Page 61846]]

North American Industry Classification System (``NAICS''). The SBA 
considers a business entity to be a small business, if, together with 
its affiliates, it employs less than a threshold number of workers 
specified in 13 CFR part 121. The 2017 NAICS code for microwave ovens 
is 335220, major household appliance manufacturing. The threshold 
number for NAICS code 335220 is 1,500 employees. This employee 
threshold includes all employees in a business's parent company and any 
other subsidiaries.
    Most of the manufacturers supplying microwave ovens are either 
large multinational corporations or overseas microwave original 
equipment manufacturers (``OEMs'') that manufacture microwave ovens 
sold under another company's brand. DOE conducted a focused inquiry 
into small business manufacturers of products covered by this 
rulemaking. DOE primarily used DOE's Compliance Certification Database 
for microwave ovens to create a list of companies that sell microwave 
ovens covered by this rulemaking in the United States. DOE also used 
the California Energy Commission's database, Modernized Appliance 
Efficiency Database System, to correlate brands with OEMs. DOE 
identified a total of 48 distinct companies that manufacture or import 
microwave ovens in the United States.
    DOE then reviewed these companies to determine whether the entities 
met the SBA's definition of ``small business'' and screened out any 
companies that do not manufacture products covered by this rulemaking, 
do not meet the definition of a ``small business,'' or are foreign-
owned and operated. Based on this review, DOE has identified one 
potential small business that manufactures microwave ovens in the 
United States. Through this analysis, DOE has determined the expected 
effects of this rulemaking on this covered small business and whether 
an IRFA was needed (i.e., whether DOE could certify that this 
rulemaking would not have a significant impact).
    As previously stated, the proposal to amend the test procedure for 
microwave ovens by requiring that the clock display be on at all times 
during testing, unless the product provides no available setting to 
allow the consumer to prevent the clock display from powering down 
automatically, should not impact any of the microwave oven models with 
available user manuals identified by DOE. Further, the proposed 
additional direction for testing microwave ovens equipped with a 
network function with any connected functionality disabled would not 
affect the small business manufacturer because they do not make 
microwave ovens with network functions.
    Therefore, DOE concludes that the impacts of the test procedure 
amendments proposed in this NOPR would not have a ``significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities,'' and that 
the preparation of an IRFA is not warranted. DOE will transmit the 
certification and supporting statement of factual basis to the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration for review 
under 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
    DOE seeks comment on its conclusion that one small business 
manufactured microwave ovens in the United States, with fewer than 
1,500 total employees. Additionally, DOE requests comment on its 
determination that the proposed amendments would not have a significant 
economic impact on this small business.

D. Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Manufacturers of microwave ovens must certify to DOE that their 
products comply with any applicable energy conservation standards. To 
certify compliance, manufacturers must first obtain test data for their 
products according to the DOE test procedures, including any amendments 
adopted for those test procedures. DOE has established regulations for 
the certification and recordkeeping requirements for all covered 
consumer products and commercial equipment, including microwave ovens. 
(See generally 10 CFR part 429.) The collection-of-information 
requirement for the certification and recordkeeping is subject to 
review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA''). 
This requirement has been approved by OMB under OMB control number 
1910-1400. Public reporting burden for the certification is estimated 
to average 35 hours per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number.

E. Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

    DOE is analyzing this proposed regulation in accordance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and DOE's NEPA implementing 
regulations (10 CFR part 1021). DOE's regulations include a categorical 
exclusion for rulemakings interpreting or amending an existing rule or 
regulation that does not change the environmental effect of the rule or 
regulation being amended. 10 CFR part 1021, subpart D, Appendix A5. DOE 
anticipates that this rulemaking qualifies for categorical exclusion A5 
because it is an interpretive rulemaking that does not change the 
environmental effect of the rule and otherwise meets the requirements 
for application of a categorical exclusion. See 10 CFR 1021.410. DOE 
will complete its NEPA review before issuing the final rule.

F. Review Under Executive Order 13132

    Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism,'' 64 FR 43255 (Aug. 4, 1999) 
imposes certain requirements on agencies formulating and implementing 
policies or regulations that preempt State law or that have Federalism 
implications. The Executive Order requires agencies to examine the 
constitutional and statutory authority supporting any action that would 
limit the policymaking discretion of the States and to carefully assess 
the necessity for such actions. The Executive Order also requires 
agencies to have an accountable process to ensure meaningful and timely 
input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have Federalism implications. On March 14, 2000, DOE 
published a statement of policy describing the intergovernmental 
consultation process it will follow in the development of such 
regulations. 65 FR 13735. DOE has examined this proposed rule and has 
determined that it would not have a substantial direct effect on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. EPCA governs and prescribes Federal 
preemption of State regulations as to energy conservation for the 
products that are the subject of this proposed rule. States can 
petition DOE for exemption from such preemption to the extent, and 
based on criteria, set forth in EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6297(d)) No further 
action is required by Executive Order 13132.

G. Review Under Executive Order 12988

    Regarding the review of existing regulations and the promulgation 
of new regulations, section 3(a) of Executive Order 12988, ``Civil 
Justice Reform,'' 61 FR 4729 (Feb. 7, 1996), imposes on Federal 
agencies the general

[[Page 61847]]

duty to adhere to the following requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting 
errors and ambiguity, (2) write regulations to minimize litigation, (3) 
provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct rather than a 
general standard, and (4) promote simplification and burden reduction. 
Section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 specifically requires that 
Executive agencies make every reasonable effort to ensure that the 
regulation (1) clearly specifies the preemptive effect, if any, (2) 
clearly specifies any effect on existing Federal law or regulation, (3) 
provides a clear legal standard for affected conduct while promoting 
simplification and burden reduction, (4) specifies the retroactive 
effect, if any, (5) adequately defines key terms, and (6) addresses 
other important issues affecting clarity and general draftsmanship 
under any guidelines issued by the Attorney General. Section 3(c) of 
Executive Order 12988 requires Executive agencies to review regulations 
in light of applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) to determine 
whether they are met or it is unreasonable to meet one or more of them. 
DOE has completed the required review and determined that, to the 
extent permitted by law, the proposed rule meets the relevant standards 
of Executive Order 12988.

H. Review Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (``UMRA'') 
requires each Federal agency to assess the effects of Federal 
regulatory actions on State, local, and Tribal governments and the 
private sector. Public Law 104-4, sec. 201 (codified at 2 U.S.C. 1531). 
For a proposed regulatory action likely to result in a rule that may 
cause the expenditure by State, local, and Tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any one 
year (adjusted annually for inflation), section 202 of UMRA requires a 
Federal agency to publish a written statement that estimates the 
resulting costs, benefits, and other effects on the national economy. 
(2 U.S.C. 1532(a), (b)) The UMRA also requires a Federal agency to 
develop an effective process to permit timely input by elected officers 
of State, local, and Tribal governments on a proposed ``significant 
intergovernmental mandate,'' and requires an agency plan for giving 
notice and opportunity for timely input to potentially affected small 
governments before establishing any requirements that might 
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. On March 18, 1997, 
DOE published a statement of policy on its process for 
intergovernmental consultation under UMRA. 62 FR 12820; also available 
at http://energy.gov/gc/office-general-counsel. DOE examined this 
proposed rule according to UMRA and its statement of policy and 
determined that the rule contains neither an intergovernmental mandate, 
nor a mandate that may result in the expenditure of $100 million or 
more in any year, so these requirements do not apply.

I. Review Under the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 
1999

    Section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105-277) requires Federal agencies to issue a Family 
Policymaking Assessment for any rule that may affect family well-being. 
This proposed rule would not have any impact on the autonomy or 
integrity of the family as an institution. Accordingly, DOE has 
concluded that it is not necessary to prepare a Family Policymaking 
Assessment.

J. Review Under Executive Order 12630

    DOE has determined, under Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights'' 53 FR 8859 (March 18, 1988) that this proposed regulation 
would not result in any takings that might require compensation under 
the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

K. Review Under Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 
2001

    Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act, 2001 (44 U.S.C. 3516 note) provides for agencies to review most 
disseminations of information to the public under guidelines 
established by each agency pursuant to general guidelines issued by 
OMB. OMB's guidelines were published at 67 FR 8452 (Feb. 22, 2002), and 
DOE's guidelines were published at 67 FR 62446 (Oct. 7, 2002). DOE has 
reviewed this proposed rule under the OMB and DOE guidelines and has 
concluded that it is consistent with applicable policies in those 
guidelines.

L. Review Under Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use,'' 66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001), requires Federal agencies to prepare and submit to OMB, 
a Statement of Energy Effects for any proposed significant energy 
action. A ``significant energy action'' is defined as any action by an 
agency that promulgated or is expected to lead to promulgation of a 
final rule, and that (1) is a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866, or any successor order; and (2) is likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy; or (3) is designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a 
significant energy action. For any proposed significant energy action, 
the agency must give a detailed statement of any adverse effects on 
energy supply, distribution, or use should the proposal be implemented, 
and of reasonable alternatives to the action and their expected 
benefits on energy supply, distribution, and use.
    The proposed regulatory action to amend the test procedure for 
measuring the energy efficiency of microwave ovens is not a significant 
regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. Moreover, it would not 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy, nor has it been designated as a significant energy action by 
the Administrator of OIRA. Therefore, it is not a significant energy 
action, and, accordingly, DOE has not prepared a Statement of Energy 
Effects.

M. Review Under Section 32 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 
1974

    Under section 301 of the Department of Energy Organization Act 
(Public Law 95-91; 42 U.S.C. 7101), DOE must comply with section 32 of 
the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, as amended by the 
Federal Energy Administration Authorization Act of 1977. (15 U.S.C. 
788; FEAA) Section 32 essentially provides in relevant part that, where 
a proposed rule authorizes or requires use of commercial standards, the 
notice of proposed rulemaking must inform the public of the use and 
background of such standards. In addition, section 32(c) requires DOE 
to consult with the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal 
Trade Commission (``FTC'') concerning the impact of the commercial or 
industry standards on competition.
    The proposed modifications to the test procedure for microwave 
ovens in this NOPR do not incorporate any new commercial standard.

N. Description of Materials Incorporated by Reference

    In this NOPR, DOE is not proposing to incorporate by reference any 
new industry standard. The incorporation by reference of IEC 62301 
(Second Edition) in appendix I to subpart B has already been approved 
by the Director of the

[[Page 61848]]

Federal Register and there are no proposed changes in the NOPR.

V. Public Participation

A. Participating in the Webinar

    The time and date of the webinar are listed in the DATES section at 
the beginning of this document. If no participants register for the 
webinar then it will be cancelled. Webinar registration information, 
participant instructions, and information about the capabilities 
available to webinar participants will be published on DOE's website: 
[https://energy.gov/eere/buildings/public-meetings-and-comment-deadlines]. Participants are responsible for ensuring their systems are 
compatible with the webinar software.
    Additionally, you may request an in-person meeting to be held prior 
to the close of the request period provided in the DATES section of 
this document. Requests for an in-person meeting may be made by 
contacting Appliance and Equipment Standards Program staff at (202) 
287-1445 or by email: [email protected].

B. Procedure for Submitting Prepared General Statements for 
Distribution

    Any person who has plans to present a prepared general statement 
may request that copies of his or her statement be made available at 
the public meeting. Such persons may submit requests, along with an 
advance electronic copy of their statement in PDF (preferred), 
Microsoft Word or Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format, to 
the appropriate address shown in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning 
of this notice. The request and advance copy of statements must be 
received at least one week before the public meeting and may be 
emailed, hand-delivered, or sent by mail. DOE prefers to receive 
requests and advance copies via email. Please include a telephone 
number to enable DOE staff to make a follow-up contact, if needed.

C. Conduct of Public Meeting

    DOE will designate a DOE official to preside at the public meeting 
and may also use a professional facilitator to aid discussion. The 
meeting will not be a judicial or evidentiary-type public hearing, but 
DOE will conduct it in accordance with section 336 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 
6306). A court reporter will be present to record the proceedings and 
prepare a transcript. DOE reserves the right to schedule the order of 
presentations and to establish the procedures governing the conduct of 
the public meeting. After the public meeting and until the end of the 
comment period, interested parties may submit further comments on the 
proceedings and any aspect of the rulemaking.
    The public meeting will be conducted in an informal, conference 
style. DOE will present summaries of comments received before the 
public meeting, allow time for prepared general statements by 
participants, and encourage all interested parties to share their views 
on issues affecting this rulemaking. Each participant will be allowed 
to make a general statement (within time limits determined by DOE), 
before the discussion of specific topics. DOE will permit, as time 
permits, other participants to comment briefly on any general 
statements.
    At the end of all prepared statements on a topic, DOE will permit 
participants to clarify their statements briefly and comment on 
statements made by others. Participants should be prepared to answer 
questions by DOE and by other participants concerning these issues. DOE 
representatives may also ask questions of participants concerning other 
matters relevant to this rulemaking. The official conducting the public 
meeting will accept additional comments or questions from those 
attending, as time permits. The presiding official will announce any 
further procedural rules or modification of the above procedures that 
may be needed for the proper conduct of the public meeting.
    A transcript of the public meeting will be included in the docket, 
which can be viewed as described in the Docket section at the beginning 
of this notice. In addition, any person may buy a copy of the 
transcript from the transcribing reporter.

D. Submission of Comments

    DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this 
proposed rule before or after the public meeting, but no later than the 
date provided in the DATES section at the beginning of this proposed 
rule. Interested parties may submit comments using any of the methods 
described in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this proposed 
rule.
    Submitting comments via http://www.regulations.gov. The http://www.regulations.gov web page will require you to provide your name and 
contact information. Your contact information will be viewable to DOE 
Building Technologies staff only. Your contact information will not be 
publicly viewable except for your first and last names, organization 
name (if any), and submitter representative name (if any). If your 
comment is not processed properly because of technical difficulties, 
DOE will use this information to contact you. If DOE cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, DOE may not be able to consider your comment.
    However, your contact information will be publicly viewable if you 
include it in the comment or in any documents attached to your comment. 
Any information that you do not want to be publicly viewable should not 
be included in your comment, nor in any document attached to your 
comment. Persons viewing comments will see only first and last names, 
organization names, correspondence containing comments, and any 
documents submitted with the comments.
    Do not submit to http://www.regulations.gov information for which 
disclosure is restricted by statute, such as trade secrets and 
commercial or financial information (hereinafter referred to as 
Confidential Business Information (``CBI'')). Comments submitted 
through http://www.regulations.gov cannot be claimed as CBI. Comments 
received through the website will waive any CBI claims for the 
information submitted. For information on submitting CBI, see the 
Confidential Business Information section.
    DOE processes submissions made through http://www.regulations.gov 
before posting. Normally, comments will be posted within a few days of 
being submitted. However, if large volumes of comments are being 
processed simultaneously, your comment may not be viewable for up to 
several weeks. Please keep the comment tracking number that http://www.regulations.gov provides after you have successfully uploaded your 
comment.
    Submitting comments via email, hand delivery, or postal mail. 
Comments and documents submitted via email, hand delivery, or mail also 
will be posted to http://www.regulations.gov. If you do not want your 
personal contact information to be publicly viewable, do not include it 
in your comment or any accompanying documents. Instead, provide your 
contact information on a cover letter. Include your first and last 
names, email address, telephone number, and optional mailing address. 
The cover letter will not be publicly viewable as long as it does not 
include any comments.
    Include contact information each time you submit comments, data, 
documents, and other information to DOE. If you submit via mail or hand 
delivery, please provide all items on a CD, if feasible. It

[[Page 61849]]

is not necessary to submit printed copies. No facsimiles (faxes) will 
be accepted.
    Comments, data, and other information submitted to DOE 
electronically should be provided in PDF (preferred), Microsoft Word or 
Excel, WordPerfect, or text (ASCII) file format. Provide documents that 
are not secured, written in English and free of any defects or viruses. 
Documents should not contain special characters or any form of 
encryption and, if possible, they should carry the electronic signature 
of the author.
    Campaign form letters. Please submit campaign form letters by the 
originating organization in batches of between 50 to 500 form letters 
per PDF or as one form letter with a list of supporters' names compiled 
into one or more PDFs. This reduces comment processing and posting 
time.
    Confidential Business Information. According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any 
person submitting information that he or she believes to be 
confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit via 
email, postal mail, or hand delivery two well-marked copies: One copy 
of the document marked confidential including all the information 
believed to be confidential, and one copy of the document marked non-
confidential with the information believed to be confidential deleted. 
Submit these documents via email or on a CD, if feasible. DOE will make 
its own determination about the confidential status of the information 
and treat it according to its determination.
    It is DOE's policy that all comments may be included in the public 
docket, without change and as received, including any personal 
information provided in the comments (except information deemed to be 
exempt from public disclosure).

E. Issues on Which DOE Seeks Comment

    Although DOE welcomes comments on any aspect of this proposal, DOE 
is particularly interested in receiving comments and views of 
interested parties concerning the following issues:
    (1) DOE requests comment on the proposed updates related to keeping 
the microwave oven clock display on during standby mode testing, unless 
the product provides no available setting to allow the consumer to 
prevent the clock display from powering down automatically, and whether 
these updates would result in additional test burden. DOE also requests 
comment on consumer habits regarding the use of clock displays that can 
be optionally turned on or off. See section III.C.1 of this document.
    (2) DOE requests comment on the proposed requirements for testing 
microwave ovens with network function. See section III.C.2 of this 
document.
    (3) DOE requests comment on maintaining the current metric for 
microwave oven energy consumption. See section III.D of this document.
    (4) DOE requests comment on its analysis that the proposal to keep 
the clock display on at all times, if possible, would not impact 
manufacturers because no microwave ovens would require retesting or 
recertification. DOE also requests information on microwave ovens that 
allow the consumer to turn the clock on and off, the manufacturer 
instructions provided and/or default conditions in such instances, and 
how such models are currently tested. See section III.F.1 of this 
document.
    (5) DOE requests comment on its understanding of the impact and 
associated costs of the proposed test procedure. See section III.F.1 of 
this document.
    (6) DOE seeks comment on whether and to what degree DOE should 
consider and harmonize the Federal test procedure for microwaves with 
IEC 60705 Ed. 4.2. DOE also requests comment on the benefits and 
burdens of adopting any industry/voluntary consensus-based or other 
appropriate test procedure, without modification. See section III.F.2 
of this document.
    (7) DOE seeks comment on its conclusion that one small business 
manufactures microwave ovens in the United States, with fewer than 
1,500 total employees. Additionally, DOE requests comment on its 
determination that the proposed amendments would not have a significant 
economic impact on this small business. See section IV.C of this 
document.

VI. Approval of the Office of the Secretary

    The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this proposed 
rule.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Imports, 
Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental relations, Small 
businesses.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on October 17, 2019.
Alexander N. Fitzsimmons,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, nergy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, DOE is proposing to amend 
part 430 of Chapter II of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations as set 
forth below:

PART 430--ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 430 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291-6309; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.

0
2. Appendix I to Subpart B of Part 430 is amended by:
0
a. Removing the introductory note;
0
b. Revising section 2.1.3;
0
c. Adding section 2.2.2; and
0
d. Revising sections 3.2.1.2 and 3.2.2.
    The revisions and addition read as follows:

Appendix I to Subpart B of Part 430--Uniform Test Method for Measuring 
the Energy Consumption of Cooking Products

* * * * *
    2.1.3 Microwave ovens, excluding any microwave oven component of 
a combined cooking product. Install the microwave oven in accordance 
with the manufacturer's instructions and connect to an electrical 
supply circuit with voltage as specified in section 2.2.1 of this 
appendix. Install the microwave oven in accordance with Section 5, 
Paragraph 5.2 of IEC 62301 (Second Edition) (incorporated by 
reference; see Sec.  430.3), disregarding the provisions regarding 
batteries and the determination, classification, and testing of 
relevant modes. If the microwave oven can communicate through a 
network (e.g., Bluetooth[supreg] or internet connection), disable 
the network function, if it is possible to disable it by means 
provided in the manufacturer's user manual, for the duration of 
testing. If disabling is not possible, the energy use associated 
with such network functions should not be reported to DOE and will 
not be used to determine compliance with DOE energy conservation 
standards. The clock display must be on, regardless of 
manufacturer's instructions or default setting or supplied setting. 
The clock display must remain on during testing, unless the clock 
display powers down automatically with no option for the consumer to 
override this function. Install a watt meter in the circuit that 
meets the requirements of section 2.8.1.2 of this appendix.
* * * * *
    2.2.2 Gas supply.
* * * * *
    3.2.1.2 Conventional cooking top standby mode and off mode power 
except for any conventional cooking top component of a combined 
cooking product. Make measurements as specified in section 3.1.1.1 
of this appendix. If the conventional cooking top is capable of 
operating in inactive mode, as defined in section 1.14 of this 
appendix, measure the average inactive mode power of the 
conventional cooking top, PIA, in watts as specified in 
section 3.1.1.1.1 of this

[[Page 61850]]

appendix. If the conventional cooking top is capable of operating in 
off mode, as defined in section 1.17 of this appendix, measure the 
average off mode power of the conventional cooking top, 
POM, in watts as specified in section 3.1.1.1.2 of this 
appendix.
    3.2.2 Combined cooking product standby mode and off mode power. 
Make measurements as specified in section 3.1.2 of this appendix. If 
the combined cooking product is capable of operating in inactive 
mode, as defined in section 1.14 of this appendix, measure the 
average inactive mode power of the combined cooking product, 
PIA, in watts as specified in section 3.1.2.1 of this 
appendix. If the combined cooking product is capable of operating in 
off mode, as defined in section 1.17 of this appendix, measure the 
average off mode power of the combined cooking product, 
POM, in watts as specified in section 3.1.2.2 of this 
appendix.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2019-24331 Filed 11-13-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P