The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff has prepared this list of questions and answers to help manufacturers comply with the Appliance Labeling Rule. The Rule requires manufacturers of certain home appliances to disclose specific energy consumption or efficiency information, derived from Department of Energy (DOE) test procedures, on “EnergyGuide” labels. If you have questions about DOE test procedures and conservation standards, please contact DOE at 202-586-9127.

1. What appliances are covered by the FTC’s Appliance Labeling Rule (16 CFR Part 305)?
2. What are the reporting requirements under the FTC’s Appliance Labeling Rule?
3. How do I report appliance data to the FTC?
4. Do I need to get my labels approved by the FTC before I put them on my appliances?
5. How do I label my product if its energy consumption or efficiency falls outside of the applicable range in the Appliance Labeling Rule?
6. Where can I get a copy of the EnergyGuide label?
7. Where can I get a copy of the Lighting Facts label?
8. What national average energy cost figure do I use when calculating operating cost on the EnergyGuide label?

1. What appliances are covered by the FTC’s Appliance Labeling Rule (16 CFR Part 305)?

The Rule requires EnergyGuide labels for clothes washers, refrigerators, freezers, water heaters, dishwashers, window air conditioners, central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps and pool heaters. (The Rule also has labeling requirements for certain light bulbs, plumbing products, and ceiling fans.)

2. What are the reporting requirements under the FTC’s Appliance Labeling Rule?

There are two reporting requirements under the Rule (see 16 CFR § 305.8):

Annual Reports for All Models

Manufacturers must submit an annual report each year containing information for all appliance models under current production. The report should also contain data for models that have been discontinued within the last year (i.e., are no longer in production).

New Models

Before a manufacturer distributes a new model (or a model subject to design or retrofit alterations which changes the energy data), it must report the energy consumption or efficiency of the model to the FTC.

The appliance data reported to the FTC is made available to the public. Annual reports are compiled and posted at ftc.gov/appliancedata.

3. How do I report appliance data to the FTC?

The Appliance Labeling Rule does not require a specific reporting format. The FTC staff, however, encourages manufacturers to use the following spreadsheet files, or templates, for reporting purposes. The completed reports should be emailed to: appliancedata@ftc.gov.

Reporting templates:

• Ceiling Fans
• Central Air Conditioners / Heat Pumps
• Clothes Washers
• Dishwashers
• Instantaneous Water Heaters
• Lamps
  • General Service Fluorescent Lamps
  • Medium Base Compact Fluorescent Lamps
  • General Service Incandescent Lamps
  • Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts
  • Metal Halide Lamp Fixtures
• Pool Heaters
• Refrigerators/ Freezers
• Room Air Conditioners
• Water Heaters (Heat Pump)
• Water Heaters (Storage)

4. Do I need to get my labels approved by the FTC before I put them on my appliances?

No. The Appliance Labeling Rule does not require a manufacturer to obtain FTC “approval” before labeling and selling its products. Manufacturers, however, must meet the FTC reporting requirements before covered appliances are distributed. In addition, the manufacturer must comply with DOE testing and certification requirements.

5. How do I label my product if its energy consumption or efficiency falls outside of the applicable range in the Appliance Labeling Rule?

When the estimated annual operating cost or energy efficiency rating on the EnergyGuide label of a covered product falls outside the current range for that product (which could result from the introduction of a new or changed model), the manufacturer must:

1. Omit placement of such product on the label’s scale, and
2. Add one of the two sentences below, as appropriate, in the space just below the scale on the label, as follows:

   The estimated yearly operating cost of this model was not available at the time the range was published.

   The energy efficiency rating of this model was not available at the time the range was published.

Appendix L of the Appliance Labeling Rule contains a sample label illustrating how to comply with this provision.

6. Where can I get a copy of the EnergyGuide label?

The FTC offers templates you can download and use to create your Energy Guide labels.

In addition, the FTC has samples of the EnergyGuide labe. Appendix L of the Rule also contains a series of sample EnergyGuide labels. Manufacturers are responsible for producing their own labels for their products in accordance to the specific requirements in the Appliance Labeling Rule.

7. Where can I get a copy of the Lighting Facts label?

The FTC offers templates you can download and use to create your Lighting Facts label and principal display panel labels.

8. What national average energy cost figure do I use when calculating operating cost on the EnergyGuide label?

When calculating operating costs on the EnergyGuide label, manufacturers should use the national average cost figures specified in the Rule at 16 CFR Part 305, Appendix K.

June 2010