Microwave Oven Standby Mode and Off Mode Energy Conservation Standards Rulemaking

DOE has published a Federal Register correction notice pertaining to energy conservation standards and test procedures for microwave ovens in the standby and off modes  81 FR 7965 (February 17, 2016). This document addresses a drafting error in the June 2013 standards final rule, which referenced the incorrect provision for determining standby power for microwave ovens. Neither the error nor the correction in this document affect the substance of both the test procedure and energy conservation standards rulemakings or any of the conclusions reached in support of those final rules.

No public meeting is scheduled at this time.

A public comment period is not open at this time.

Framework Document

• Notice of Public Meeting and Availability of the Framework Document, published 03/27/2006
• Framework Document, issued on 03/15/2006
• Public Meeting, held 04/27/2006
• Comment deadline: 05/11/2006

Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

• Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, published 11/15/2007
• ANOPR Analytical Tools
• Public Meeting, held 12/13/2007
• Comment deadline: 01/29/2008

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, published 10/17/2008
• Technical Support Document
• Analytical Tools
• Public Meeting, held 11/13/2008
• Comment deadline: 12/16/2008

• Microwave Oven Test Procedure Rulemaking

Section 310 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) amends section 325 of EPCA to require the Department of Energy (DOE) to regulate standby-mode and off-mode energy use for all covered products, including microwave ovens, as part of energy conservation standards for which a final rule is adopted after July 10, 2010. (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)(A))

Microwave oven standby-mode and off-mode energy use were originally considered in a combined energy conservation standards rulemaking addressing residential dishwashers, dehumidifiers, cooking products, and commercial clothes washers. In April 2009 (after the NOPR), DOE concluded that additional information would improve its analysis and that it should defer a decision regarding amended energy conservation standards for standby-mode and off-mode energy use for microwave ovens pending further rulemaking. Therefore, the microwave oven standards amendments addressing standby-mode and off-mode energy use are now scheduled for completion in this separate rulemaking.