The Department of Energy (DOE) conducted a formal effort between 1995 and 1996 to improve the process it used to develop appliance efficiency standards. This effort involved many different stakeholders, including manufacturers, energy-efficiency advocates, trade associations, state agencies, utilities, and other interested parties. The result was the publication of the Process Rule: 61 FR 36974 (July 15, 1996).
Found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 430 Appendix A to Subpart C, the Process Rule describes the procedures, interpretations, and policies that guide DOE in establishing new or revised energy-efficiency standards for consumer products.
In November 2010, DOE announced that it would, in appropriate cases, implement the following changes to expedite its rulemaking process:
- Employing more efficient data-gathering methods
- Moving analytical information to the technical support document
- Establishing a standing negotiated rulemaking committee
Past Rulemakings
Procedures, Interpretations, and Policies for Consideration of New or Revised Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures for Consumer Products and Certain Commercial/Industrial Equipment
Docket No. EERE-2025-BT-STD-0001 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents
- Request for Information, Federal Register, 90 FR 16093 (April 17, 2025)
Procedures, Interpretations, and Policies for Consideration of New or Revised Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures for Consumer Products and Certain Commercial/Industrial Equipment
Docket No. EERE-2021-BT-STD-0003 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents
- Final Rule, Federal Register, 89 FR 24340 (April 8, 2024)
- Final Rue, Federal Register, 86 FR 70892 (December 13, 2021)
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 86 FR 35668 (July 7, 2021)
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 86 FR 18901 (April 12, 2021)
Procedures for Use in New or Revised Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures for Consumer Products and Certain Commercial/Industrial Equipment
Docket No. EERE-2017-BT-STD-0062 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents
- Final Rule, Federal Register, 85 FR 8626 (February 14, 2020)