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As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “Commercial refrigerator, freezer, and refrigerator-freezer” (collectively referred to as “commercial refrigeration equipment) means refrigeration equipment that:
- Is not a consumer product (as defined in §430.2 of part 430);
- Is not designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes;
- Operates at a chilled, frozen, combination chilled and frozen, or variable temperature;
- Displays or stores merchandise and other perishable materials horizontally, semi-vertically, or vertically;
- Has transparent or solid doors, sliding or hinged doors, a combination of hinged, sliding, transparent, or solid doors, or no doors;
- Is designed for pull-down temperature applications or holding temperature applications; and
- Is connected to a self-contained condensing unit or to a remote condensing unit. 10 CFR 431.62
DOE has published a Federal Register notice Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, withdrawing a disapproved final rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2025. The final rule would have established amended energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers.
- As of May 20, 2025, the final rule on energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers, published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2025, at 90 FR 7464, and delayed at 90 FR 11466 (Mar. 7, 2025), is withdrawn.
DOE has published a Federal Register notice delaying the effective date of a recently published final rule adopting new and amended energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers.
- As of March 7, 2025, the effective date of the rule published on January 21, 2025, is delayed until May 20, 2025.
DOE has published a Federal Register final rule pertaining to energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerators-freezers (CRE). Energy Policy and Conservation Act, (EPCA), requires DOE to periodically review its existing standards to determine whether more-stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified and would result in significant energy savings. In this final rule, DOE is adopting new and amended standards for CRE. It has determined that the new and amended standards for this equipment would result in significant conservation of energy and are technologically feasible and economically justified.
- The effective date of this rule is March 24, 2025.
- Compliance with the new and amended standards established for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers in this final rule is required on and after Monday, January 22, 2029.
- The incorporation by reference of certain material listed in this rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 10, 2009 and October 23, 2013.
On December 20, 2024, DOE issued a final rule pertaining to energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers (commercial refrigeration equipment or CRE). DOE is making available the Federal Register public inspection version of the final rule pertaining to energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers (commercial refrigeration equipment or CRE) and the final rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2025.
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
Final Rule; Withdrawal
Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date
Final Rule
- Federal Register, 90FR21392 (May 20, 2025)
- Federal Register, 90FR11466 (March 7, 2025)
- Federal Register, 90FR7464 (January 21, 2025)
- Technical Support Document
Notification of Data Availability - Federal Register, 89FR68788 (August 28, 2024)
- NODA Support Document
- NODA Engineering Analysis
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Federal Register 88FR70196 (October 10, 2023)
Notice of Availability of Preliminary Technical Support Document and Request for Comment - Federal Register, 87FR38296 (June 28, 2022
- Technical Support Document
Request for Information - Federal Register, 86FR37708 (July 16, 2021)
The commercial refrigeration equipment energy conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE-2017-BT-STD-0007 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 88FR66152 (September 26, 2023)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Federal Register, 87FR39164 (June 30, 2022)
Request for Information - Federal Register, 86FR31182 (July 11, 2021)
The commercial refrigeration equipment test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2017-BT-TP-0008 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.
Commercial refrigeration equipment 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 431.66.
To determine that commercial refrigeration equipment that is currently manufactured or distributed into commerce is in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 431.64.
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 commercial refrigeration equipment.
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.
For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov