As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “microwave oven” means a class of cooking products that is a household cooking appliance consisting of a compartment designed to cook or heat food by means of microwave energy, including microwave ovens with or without thermal elements designed for surface browning of food and convection microwave ovens. 10 CFR 430.2 Manufacturers have been required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for microwave ovens since 2016.
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DOE has published a Federal Register notice proposing to rescind the energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. The rescission will eliminate the efficiency requirements for microwave ovens.
DOE has published a Federal Register final rule pertaining to standards for microwave ovens. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), requires DOE to periodically determine whether more stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and whether they would result in significant energy savings. In this final rule, DOE is adopting amended standards for microwave ovens. It has determined that the amended standards for these products would result in significant conservation of energy and are technologically feasible and economically justified.
- The effective date of this rule is August 21, 2023.
- Compliance with the amended standards established for microwave ovens in this final rule is required on and after June 22, 2026.
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
Proposed Rule - Federal Register, 90FR20895 (May 16, 2025)
Final Rule - Federal Register, 88FR39912 (June 20, 2023)
- Technical Support Document
Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Notice of Public Meeting and Comment Period Extension
Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
- Federal Register, 87FR60941 (October 7, 2022)
- Federal Register, 87FR52282 (August 24, 2022)
- Technical Support Document
Notice of Proposed Determination - Federal Register, 86FR44298 (August 12, 2021)
Request for Information - Federal Register, 84FR39980 (August 13, 2019)
- Frequently Asked Questions
The microwave oven energy conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE-2017-BT-STD-0023 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, 87FR18261 (March 30, 2022)
Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Federal Register, 86FR41759 (August 3, 2021)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Federal Register, 84FR61836 (November 14, 2019)
Request for Information - Federal Register, 83 FR 02566 (January 18, 2018)
The microwave oven test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2017-BT-TP-0024 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.
Microwave ovens 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(j)(3).
To determine that microwave ovens 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 I.
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 not authorized exception relief for microwave ovens.
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®
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.
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