DOE has posted a draft guidance document regarding the test procedure for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, and miscellaneous refrigeration products (collectively, consumer refrigeration products). This draft guidance document represents DOE's interpretation of its existing regulations and is exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. Nevertheless, DOE is accepting comments and suggestions from the public until April 17, 2023. At the end of the comment period, this draft guidance document may be adopted, revised, or withdrawn.

• Click here to view the draft guidance. 
• Interested persons may submit comments and suggestions identified by docket number EERE-2023-BT-TP-0008, by email to RFGuidance2023TP0008@ee.doe.gov. 

DOE has published a Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) pertaining to energy conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) requires DOE to periodically determine whether more stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In this NOPR, DOE proposes amended energy conservation standards for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers, and also announces a public meeting to receive comment on these proposed standards and associated analyses and results.

• DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR until April 28, 2023.
• Interested persons may submit comments identified by docket number EERE-2017-BT-STD-0003, by email (ConsumerRefrigFreezer2017STD0003@ee.doe.gov), Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov).
• DOE will hold a webinar on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Click here to register for the webinar.
• Foreign Nationals interested in participating in this webinar, must be screened by DOE Headquarters Security prior to being granted access. Please email Regina.Washington@ee.doe.gov to complete the necessary documentation at least two weeks prior to scheduled meeting date.
• Additional webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on DOE’s website: https://energy.gov/eere/buildings/public-meetings-and-comment-deadlines

For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management andBudget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.

Consumer refrigerators and freezers manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 430.32(a).

To determine that residential refrigerators and freezers that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix A and Appendix B.