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Rulemaking for Microwave Ovens Energy Conservation Standard

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The Department of Energy (DOE) is has established energy conservation standards for microwave ovens standby and off mode. This rulemaking was mandated by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).

Recent Updates

DOE published a final rule establishing energy conservation standards for microwave ovens for standby mode and off mode. 78 FR 36316 (June 17, 2013).

Public Meeting Information

No public meeting is scheduled at this time.

Submitting Public Comments

The comment period is closed.

Milestones and Documents

The microwave ovens energy conservation standards rulemaking docket EERE-2011-BT-STD-0048 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents. 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.

Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking	Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Federal Register, 77 FR 8526 (February 14, 2012) Technical Support Document Government Regulatory Impact Model National Impact Analysis Regulatory Impact Analysis Life-Cycle Cost Analysis Public Meeting 03/14/2012 Public Meeting Presentation Public Meeting Transcript Comment deadline: closed OIRA Compare Document*
Final Rule	Final Rule, Federal Register 78 FR 36316 (June 17, 2013) Technical Support Document Government Regulatory Impact Model National Impact Analysis Regulatory Impact Analysis Life-Cycle Cost Analysis OIRA Compare Document*
Compliance	Compliance with the amended standards established for microwave ovens in this final rule is June 17, 2016.

*After a regulatory action has been completed, Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to identify the substantive changes between the draft submitted to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review and the action subsequently announced, and to identify those changes made at the suggestion or recommendation of OIRA.

Related Rulemakings

DOE is also conducting a microwave oven active mode test procedure rulemaking.

DOE recently completed a microwave oven standby and off mode test procedure rulemaking.

Information related to the previous cooking products rulemaking is also relevant to this rulemaking. Please see docket number EERE-2006-STD-0127.

Statutory Authority

EPCA sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. Part A of Title III (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) establishes the "Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles" for consumer products, including microwave ovens. (42 U.S.C. 6291(1)–(2) and 6292(a)(10))

Contact Information

For more information related to this rulemaking, please email:

microwave_ovens@ee.doe.gov