DOE Publishes a Direct Final Rule Pertaining to Standards for Residential Clothes Washers

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a Federal Register notice of Direct Final Rule (DFR) pertaining to energy conservation standards for residential clothes washers (RCW). The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), prescribes standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including RCWs. In this DFR, DOE is adopting amended standards for RCWs. DOE 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 July 15,2024.
• If adverse comments are received by July 3, 2024 and DOE determines that such comments may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule under 42 U.S.C. 6295(o), a timely withdrawal of this rule will be published in the Federal Register. If no such adverse comments are received, compliance with the new and amended standards established for RCWs in this direct final rule is required on and after March 1, 2028. 
• Comments regarding the likely competitive impact of the standards contained in this direct final rule should be sent to the Department of Justice on or before April 15, 2024.

DOE has also published a Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) that proposes amended standards for RCWs identical to those set forth in the direct final rule. If DOE receives adverse comment and determines that such comment may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule, DOE will publish a notice of withdrawal and will proceed with this proposed rule.

• DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the NOPR until July 3,2024.
• Interested persons may submit comments identified by docket number (EERE–2017–BT–STD-0014) by email (ConsumerClothesWasher2017STD0014@ee.doe.gov), Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov).
• Find product information for Consumer Clothes Washers including current standards and test procedures, statutory authority, waivers, exceptions and contact information.

On March 11, 2024, DOE also published a Federal Register notice initiating an information and data gathering effort on whether "short-cycle" product classes for Dishwashers, Residential Clothes Washers, and Consumer Clothes Dryers are warranted under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

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