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The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309 (EPCA) establishes energy conservation or water use standards and test procedures for certain consumer products, including showerheads. EPCA defines a showerhead as any showerhead (including a handheld showerhead), except a safety shower showerhead. 42 U.SC. 6291(31)(D). The Department of Energy (DOE) last amended the test procedures for showerheads on September 30, 2013. Under the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 6295(j)(3), the water use standards for showerheads have not been amended.
DOE has published a Federal Register final rule repealing the definition of showerheads.
- The effective date of this rule is May 15, 2025.
For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.
Definitions
Final Rule; Repeal of the Definition - Federal Register, 90FR15647 (April 15, 2025)
Final Rule - Federal Register, 86FR17197 (December 20, 2021)
- The effective date of this rule is January 19, 2022.
- OIRA Compare Document
Notice of proposed rulemaking and public meeting - Federal Register, 86FR38594 (July 22, 2021)
Final Rule - Federal Register, 85FR81341 (December 16, 2020)
The showerheads definition docket EERE-2021-BT-STD-0016contains all pertinent notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.
Standards
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 amended EPCA to add water conservation standards for showerheads, based on the flow rate requirements contained in American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)/American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard A112.18.1M-1989, which are codified under Title 42 of the U.S. Code (42 U.S.C.), section 6295(j). Under 42 U.S.C. 6295(j)(3), if the maximum flow rate requirements contained in ASME/ANSI Standard A112.18.1M are amended to improve the efficiency of water use, the Secretary of Energy shall consider establishing an amended uniform national standard at the level specified in the amended ASME/ANSI Standard. To date, ASME has not updated the flow rate requirements for showerheads.
Public Meeting Information
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
The comment period is closed.
Test Procedure
Final Rule - Federal Register, 88FR33533 (May 24, 2023)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Federal Register, 87FR32351 (May 31, 2022)
Request for Information; Early Assessment; Comment Extension
Request for Information; Early Assessment
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Comment Extension and Public Webinar
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
The showerheads test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2019-BT-TP-0021 contains all pertinent notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.
Public Meeting Information
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
The comment period is closed.
The flow rate of a showerhead manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(10) and (16) respectively, must be not greater than the maximum water use standards under 10 CFR 430.32(p).
To determine whether a showerhead is in compliance with the water use standards under 10 CFR 430.2(p), a manufacturer must measure the maximum flow rate in accordance with 10 CFR 430, Appendix S of Subpart B.
Compliance
DOE has established regulations for certification, compliance, and enforcement in 10 CFR Part 429. These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement. More information about compliance and enforcement is available on DOE's Implementation webpage.
Waivers
For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage.
For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 430.27.Exceptions
DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for showerheads.
For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.
Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions
For information on further guidance and answers to frequently asked questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.
State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption
A state may petition DOE for exemption from preemption of a federal water conservation standard in certain cases of unusual or compelling state or local water interests. A state may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemption. See 10 CFR part 430, subpart D. DOE has not exempted any state from this water conservation standard.
On December 22, 2010, DOE published in the Federal Register a final rule to waive the general rule of federal preemption for water use standards, under 42 U.S.C. 6297(c), with respect to any state regulation concerning showerheads if such state regulation is (1) more stringent than federal regulation concerning the water use or water efficiency for that same type or class of product, and (2) applicable to any sale or installation of all products in that particular type or class. 75 FR 80289.
Small Business Exemptions
Any manufacturer of a covered product with annual gross revenues that do not exceed $8,000,000 from all its operations and meets certain other conditions may apply for an exemption to the energy conservation standard. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart E.
ENERGY STAR®
DOE supports the testing and verification of ENERGY STAR products in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov