Miscellaneous refrigeration product means a consumer refrigeration product other than a refrigerator, refrigerator-freezer, or freezer, which includes coolers and combination cooler refrigeration products. Manufacturers have been required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for miscellaneous refrigeration products since 2019.
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DOE has published a Federal Register notice proposing to withdraw its prior determination that miscellaneous refrigeration products qualify as covered products under Part A of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (EPCA).
DOE published a direct final rule to establish new energy conservation standards for miscellaneous refrigeration products in the Federal Register on May 7, 2024. DOE has determined that the comments received in response to the direct final rule are not adverse and, thus, do not provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule. Therefore, DOE has published this Federal Register notice confirming the effective and compliance dates of those standards. This document also corrects an error in the amended regulatory text as it appeared in the direct final rule published on May 7, 2024.
- The technical correction in this document is effective September 30, 2024.
- The effective date of September 4, 2024, for the direct final rule published May 7, 2024 (89 FR 38762) is confirmed. Compliance with the standards established in the direct final rule will be required on January 31, 2029.
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.
DETERMINATION
Notice of Proposed Withdrawal of Determination - Federal Register, 90FR20840 (May 16, 2025)
Standards
Direct Final Rule; Confirmation of Effective and Compliance Dates; Technical Correction
Direct Final Rule
- Federal Register, 89FR79370 (September 30, 2024)
- Federal Register, 89FR38762 (May 7, 2024)
- Federal Register Technical Support Document
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Federal Register, 89FR37987 (May 7,2024)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Federal Register, 88FR19382 (March 31, 2023)
Notification of Rescheduled Public Meeting
Notification of a Webinar and Availability of Preliminary Technical Support Document
- Federal Register, 87FR7396 (February 9, 2022)
- Federal Register, 87FR3229 (January 21, 2022)
- Technical Support Document
Request for Information - Federal Register, 85FR78964 (December 8, 2020)
The miscellaneous refrigeration products energy conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE-2020-BT-STD-0039 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
Test Procedure
Final Rule; Correction - Federal Register, 88FR7840 (February 7, 2023)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Federal Register, 87FR35678 (June 13, 2022)
Final rule - Federal Register, 86FR56790 (October 12, 2021).
The miscellaneous refrigeration products test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2017-BT-TP-0004 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
Comment period is closed.
Miscellaneous refrigeration products 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(aa).
To determine that miscellaneous refrigeration products 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 A.
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 wavers, 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 miscellaneous refrigeration products.
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.
For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov