Congress would overturn a Department of Energy rule that updated certification, labeling, and enforcement requirements for energy efficiency standards on household appliances and commercial equipment. The rule, finalized in October 2024, affects how manufacturers test and certify that their products — from refrigerators to commercial HVAC systems — meet federal energy standards. Blocking it would revert to the previous, less stringent requirements.
Environmental Concerns
- DOE appliance-efficiency rule — October 2024 certification, labeling, and enforcement rule nullified
- Federal testing requirements — Refrigerators and commercial HVAC revert to prior, less stringent verification regime
Average Household Impact
- Consumer assurance on appliance efficiency — Verification that products meet advertised energy standards reduced
Congressional Summary
This joint resolution nullifies the Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment rule published by the Department of Energy (DOE) on October 9, 2024. Under the rule, DOE modified its regulations on the energy efficiency of certain types of consumer products (e.g., washing machines and dishwashers) and industrial equipment (e.g., computer room air conditioners). Specifically, it modified certification requirements, labeling requirements, and enforcement provisions for these products and equipment to (1) align reporting requirements with currently applicable energy conservation standards and test procedures, and (2) provide DOE with the information necessary to determine the appropriate classification of products for the application of standards.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-04-28
- Date Added
- 2026-04-16
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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