The Product Governance Team (PGT) must review and approve all publications, exhibits, logos, infographics and templates developed by Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) staff, laboratories, and contractors.

For the review and approval process for EERE's websites, see Web Project Process and Approvals.

Before you contact the PGT, you should decide your project's scope and goals. Some key questions you should answer include:

• Should EERE develop this communications product or should a partnering organization develop it?
• Under what brand should this be produced: EERE, an approved sub brand, or a lab? If a new brand is required you will need to get approval for the brand before developing the product. If you think a new brand might be needed, have you considered whether the existing identifiers, logos, and templates meet your needs?
• Who is the audience? What is the most effective way to reach that audience? For example, is a fact sheet the most appropriate communication method to share a success story with industry? Are there other communication methods that might be more fitting, such as an electronic newsletter, presentation, web page, or web card?

You will need to plan for a Phase 1 initial review and Phase 2 final approval with the Product Governance Team (PGT) lead. If the product warrants discussion, then a meeting will need to be scheduled.

While all products require Phase 1 approval, the PGT lead will readily approve the following in Phase 1:

• Regularly published products such as annual reports and recurring fact sheets with minor updates, merit reviews, and newsletters.
• Technical reports that:
  • do not cover a topic that is highly visible with stakeholders
  • are not politically sensitive
  • are not high impact.

Phase 2 review and approval is still required on the products mentioned above.

Any of the following products below need a product information form and would require a Phase 2 editorial review:

• New templates
• Outreach publications including fact sheets, brochures, booklets, e-books, and products that use non-standard branding, custom design, or introduce a new series
• Exhibits
• Technical reports with EERE branding that cover a topic that is highly visible with stakeholders, is politically sensitive, or has high impact
• Products paid for by EERE to support EERE offices, activities, and partnerships that have partner logos or branding
• Infographics

Note that the following products below do not need either Phase 1 or Phase 2 approval:

• Powerpoint presentations.
• Logos that have previously been approved. (You may determine whether a logo or brand has been approved by visiting EERE's Logos page. All approved logos are listed there. If you do not find the logo you require on that site, it is not approved for use.)
• Newsletters that are using standard GovDelivery templates. (If the branding varies, it should go to the Web Governance Team for a review.) 

1. Submit a Product Information Form to ee.communications@ee.doe.gov. You should fill out the form in advance of doing any work on the product.
2. The PGT will review the form and will either provide Phase 1 approval within 48 hours or will let you know if a meeting is needed to discuss your product's development and branding.
3. During the meeting, be prepared to define your product's audience, purpose, and format.

If you have questions about the criteria, send an email to ee.communications@ee.doe.gov.

Once you've received approval to develop your project, you can start work. Follow EERE's standards and guidelines:

• Identity and Design Guidelines
• Templates
• Logos
• Exhibit Guidelines
• Publication Numbers and Government Printing Office Requirements
• Requirements for EERE-Branded Publications Developed by Third Parties

1. Send your completed Product Information Form and your final document for review to ee.communications@ee.doe.gov and Scott.Minos@ee.doe.gov. Include the deadline by which you need comments back.
2. The PGT lead will review it, provide comments, and let you know whether it needs another round of reviews. Occasionally, the PGT lead will need to reach out to other PGT members for a more comprehensive review. In those cases, the turn-around time may be greater than 48 hours.
3. Once you have received final Phase 2 approval, you must add the product to the EERE Online Publications Library unless otherwise directed. You may also print and/or post to the web.

You may not use any product without final Phase 2 approval.

All applicable products must be placed into the EERE Publication and Product Library.

As a government agency, EERE is required to use a Government Printing Office (GPO)-approved printing office. Typically this means using either DOE Headquarters Print Services or a printing office at a national laboratory. Follow the guidance on the following pages:

• Preparing Files for Publication at DOE Headquarters Print Services
• Publication Numbers and Government Printing Office Requirements

If you have any questions about obtaining publication numbers or preparing files for printers at DOE headquarters, contact Ken Sobczak.