U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Building Technologies Office – Appliance & Equipment Standards

Implementation, Certification & Enforcement

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) currently has certification, compliance, and enforcement regulations for certain consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment covered under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended. These regulations provide for sampling plans used in determining compliance with existing standards, manufacturer submission of compliance statements and certification reports to DOE, maintenance of compliance records by manufacturers, and the availability of enforcement actions for improper certification or upon a determination of noncompliance.

Learn more about the following topics:


Certification Reporting System (CCMS)

  • The U.S. Department of Energy has established a web-based system that allows manufacturers of covered products and equipment to submit compliance and certification information electronically. This system is known as the Compliance and Certification Management System, or CCMS.
  • Go to the Compliance and Certification Management System.

Compliance Certification Database

  • The certification database houses certification reports and compliance statements submitted by manufacturers for covered products and equipment subject to Federal conservation standards. The database offers users an easy-to-use search function for existing records in an easily downloadable format.
  • Go to the Compliance Certification Database

Enforcement Activities

As the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is ramping up its focus on energy-efficiency, the Office of the General Counsel is stepping up enforcement and verification efforts to ensure manufacturers meet the energy and water conservation standards expected of them and save energy for American consumers and businesses. Recent enforcement initiatives go beyond compliance with energy-efficiency standards. DOE is working to protect consumers through verification and supporting the enforcement of ENERGY STAR specifications to ensure that manufacturers offer the energy savings they advertise. For more information see the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement's webpage.


Standardized Templates for Reporting Test Results

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is developing standardized templates for reporting the results of tests conducted in accordance with current DOE test procedures. Templates are required for use by third party laboratories under contract with DOE for ENERGY STAR verification, round robin, assessment testing, enforcement testing, or other testing supporting energy conservation standards. Template use is suggested for other labs testing to DOE test procedures, but is not required. Templates for download are available here.

Round Robin Testing Program

The objective of DOE's round robin test program is to perform an assessment of the repeatability and reproducibility of DOE test procedures for various appliances. Currently, the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Appliance Technology Evaluation Center (ATEC), the National Institute of Standards (NIST), and many third party and manufacturer-operated facilities perform these tests. The round robin testing will document the variability of test results, both within a single test lab (repeatability) and from test lab to test lab (reproducibility), and seek to identify the potential contributors to variability. The results will form the basis of recommended corrective actions for facilities and are expected to highlight needed clarifications or modifications to DOE test procedures.

Round Robin Documents

Current Round Robin Cycles

Current Rulemakings

Certification Compliance Date for Commercial HVAC, Refrigeration, and Water Heating Equipment

Potential Negotiated Rulemaking for Certification of Commercial HVAC and Refrigeration Equipment

The U.S. Department of Energy received feedback from various manufacturers and industry representatives that the current framework for certifying the compliance of commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and commercial refrigeration equipment (CRE) is unduly burdensome because of the wide variety of options available to equipment purchasers and the highly customized nature of the manufacturing. The Department is considering a negotiated rulemaking on the limited topic of certification of HVAC commercial equipment and CRE. Topics may include: How various basic models might be grouped for purposes of certification; what information is certified to the Department; and the timing of when certifications should be made. DOE is not considering re-opening the concept of "basic model" with respect to the rating and testing requirements and will address any potential changes to the compliance date for commercial certifications in a separate proceeding.

Specifically, DOE is interested in a negotiated rulemaking to allow DOE to work with industry representatives, energy efficiency advocates, and other interested parties to develop a certification system for commercial HVAC equipment and CRE that is workable and will provide DOE with the information necessary to ensure that the products in distribution conform to the applicable energy conservation standards.

Alternative Efficiency Determination Methods and Alternate Rating Methods

Regional Standards Enforcement of Residential Central Air Conditioners, Heat Pumps, and Furnaces


Previous Rulemakings


Certification, Compliance, and Enforcement Rulemaking



Certification Compliance Date Rulemakings

Contact Information

Ashley Armstrong