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As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), "external power supply" means an external power supply circuit that is used to convert household electric current into DC current or lower-voltage AC current to operate a consumer product. However, the term does not include any "commercial and industrial power supply" as defined in this section, or a power supply circuit, driver, or device that is designed exclusively to be connected to, and power— (1) Light-emitting diodes providing illumination; (2) Organic light-emitting diodes providing illumination; or (3) Ceiling fans using direct current motors.10 CFR 430.2
Manufacturers have been required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for external power supplies since 2007.
DOE has published a Federal Register notice proposing to rescind its existing regulations regarding the energy conservation standards for consumer external power supplies adopted under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
DOE has published a Federal Register notice proposing to revise its existing regulations regarding the reporting requirements imposed on exempt consumer external power supplies adopted under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (EPCA).
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.
Standards
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Rescinding Existing Regulations - Federal Register, 90FR20899 (May 16, 2025)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Revising Existing Reporting Requirements - Federal Register, 90FR20831 (May 16, 2025)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Federal Register, 88FR7284 (February 2, 2023)
- Technical Support Document
- OIRA Compare Document
Notification of a Webinar and Availability of Preliminary Technical Support Document - Federal Register, 87FR10719 (February 25, 2022)
- Technical Support Document
Reopening of Comment Period
Request For Information
DOE undertook a rulemaking that concluded in May 2016 pertaining to service and spare parts for external power supplies. 81 FR 30157 (May 16, 2016). This rule codifies the provisions of the EPS Service Parts Act of 2014 and establishes related reporting requirements. The rulemaking docket EERE-2015-BT-CRT-0013 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
DOE undertook a rulemaking that concluded with a final rule in February 2014 to established new and amended energy conservation standards for external power supplies. The external power supply conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE-2008-BT-STD-0005 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
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, 87FR51200 (August 19, 2022)
Notice of Rescheduled Public Meeting
Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Extension of Public Comment Period
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
DOE undertook a rulemaking that concluded with a final rule in August 2015 to revise to the external power supplies test procedure. 80 FR 51424. The external power supplies test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2014-BT-TP-0043 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Public Meeting Information
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
The comment period is closed.
External power supplies manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 430.32(w).
To determine that external power supplies that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix Z.
Compliance
DOE has established regulations on certification, compliance, and enforcement in the CFR at 10 CFR Part 429. These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement. More information on these regulations is available here.
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 authorized exception relief for certain external power supplies.. For information on these exception relief cases, see the Office of Hearing and Appeals listing of Product Efficiency Cases.
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
DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart D .
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®
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
DOE supports the testing and verification of ENERGY STAR® products in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov