This page provides a variety of links to help manufacturers fulfill their compliance obligations under the energy conservation standards program for consumer products and industrial equipment.  Under the applicable law (42 U.S.C. 6291-6317), an importer is a manufacturer; therefore, any material you read in the links below that references a "manufacturer" also applies to an importer.

Certification Compliance Management System

Certification Training Materials

Pertinent DOE Regulations and Guidance

  • General Provisions (10 C.F.R. Part 429, Subpart A): Subpart A of Part 429 explains the applicability of the energy conservation standards to imported products, the requirements for a submitter to claim that information is confidential business information, and DOE's subpoena authority.
  • Certification (10 C.F.R. Part 429, Subpart B): Subpart B of Part 429 provides the requirements for a manufacturer (including importers) to certify the compliance of its products. These include the data requirements for certification reports, the sampling provisions for testing requirements, and the methodology for calculating an allowable "rating" or representation of energy/water efficiency or consumption.
  • Enforcement (10 C.F.R. Part 429, Subpart C): Subpart C of Part 429 explains DOE's enforcement process and the rights of parties involved in an enforcement proceeding.
  • Consumer Products (10 C.F.R. Part 430): Part 430 provides the energy conservation standards (performance or design requirements) and the test procedures for consumer products. It also provides information about requesting a waiver from the DOE test procedure and test lab requirements for certain product types.
  • Commercial and Industrial Equipment (10 C.F.R. Part 431): Part 431 provides the energy conservation standards (performance or design requirements) and the test procedures for commercial and industrial equipment. It also provides information about requesting a waiver from the DOE test procedure, and test lab and labeling requirements for certain product types.
  • Appliance Standards Program Guidance: Additional information about the energy conservation standards program is available in question/answer format. This database is the official source for guidance about DOE test procedures.
  • Appliance Standards Program Information: Additional information about ongoing and recent rulemakings. This page also lists all of the products either currently subject to standards or for which DOE is considering setting standards.
  • Enforcement policies: Additional information about the policies of the enforcement program.
  • 2011 Compliance Certification & Enforcement final rule: This final rule significantly altered certification requirements and provided additional information about the enforcement process.

Pertinent CBP Regulation and Guidance

  • 19 C.F.R. § 12.50: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations provide that CBP may refuse admission to a noncompliant product or may, upon recommendation by DOE or the Federal Trade Commission, permit the importer to address the noncompliance.
  • CBP Ruling HQ W231173: CBP has issued a ruling regarding importation of products for export that do not meet the DOE energy conservation standards.

Other Resources