Faucets

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The Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6291–6309 (EPCA) establishes energy conservation or water use standards and test procedures for certain consumer products, including faucets. Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 430 (10 CFR 430), defines the term “faucet” to mean a lavatory faucet, kitchen faucet, metering faucet or replacement aerator for a lavatory or kitchen faucet. (10 CFR 430.2) The Department of Energy (DOE) last amended the test procedures for faucets on September 30, 2013. Under the provisions of 42 U.S.C. 6295(j)(3), the water use standards for faucets have not been amended.

Current Standard | Current Test Procedure | Ongoing Rulemaking for Standards | Ongoing Rulemaking for Test Procedure | Helpful Links

Recent and Ongoing Activities

DOE has published a Federal Register final rule amending the test procedures for faucets and showerheads to incorporate the current version of the referenced industry standard, American Society of Mechanical Engineers Standard A112.18.1-2018/CSA B125.1-18, “Plumbing supply fittings.” This final rule also adds definitions for low-pressure water dispensers and pot fillers and excludes them from the faucet definition. Finally, this final rule provides further detail for conducting the flow rate measurement.

The effective date of this rule is June 23, 2023.
The amendments will be mandatory for product testing starting November 20, 2023.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register on June 23, 2023.

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.

Standards

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 amended EPCA to add water conservation standards for faucets, based on the flow rate requirements contained in American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)/American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard A112.18.1M-1989, which are codified under Title 42 of the U.S. Code (42 U.S.C.) section 6295(j). Under 42 U.S.C. 6295(j)(3), if the maximum flow rate requirements contained in ASME/ANSI Standard A112.18.1M are amended to improve the efficiency of water use, the Secretary of Energy shall consider establishing an amended uniform national standard at the level specified in the amended ASME/ANSI Standard. To date, ASME has not updated the flow rate requirements for faucets.

Public Meeting Information:

There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

Submitting Public Comments

The comment period is closed.

Test Procedure

Final Rule

Federal Register, 88FR33533 (May 24, 2023)

Notice of Proposed Rule

Federal Register, 87FR32351 (May 31, 2022)

Request for Information; Early Assessment; Comment Extension

Request for Information; Early Assessment

Federal Register, 86FR53013 (September 24, 2021)
Federal Register, 86FR49261 (September 2, 2021)

The faucets test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2011-BT-TP-0061 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

Public Meeting Information

There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

Submitting Public Comments

The comment period is closed.

Current Standard

The flow rate of a faucet manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291 (10) and (16) respectively, must not be greater than the maximum water use standards under 10 CFR 430.32(o).

Current Test Procedure

To determine whether a faucet is in compliance with the water use standards under 10 CFR 430.32 (o), a manufacturer must measure the maximum flow rate in accordance with 10 CFR 430, Appendix S of Subpart B.

Helpful Links

Compliance

DOE has established regulations on certification, compliance, and enforcement in 10 CFR Part 429. These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement. More information about compliance and enforcement is available on DOE's Implementation webpage.

Waivers

For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage.

For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 430.27.

Exceptions

DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for faucets.

For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003

Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions

For information on further guidance and answers to Frequently Asked Questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.

State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption

A State may petition DOE for exemption from preemption of a Federal water conservation standard in certain cases of unusual or compelling State or local water interests. A State may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemption. See10 CFR part 430, subpart D. DOE has not exempted any State from this water conservation standard.

On December 22, 2010, DOE published in the Federal Register a final rule to waive the general rule of Federal preemption for water use standards, under 42 U.S.C. 6297(c), with respect to any State regulation concerning faucets if such State regulation is (1) more stringent than Federal regulation concerning the water use or water efficiency for that same type or class of product, and (2) applicable to any sale or installation of all products in that particular type or class. 75 FR 80289.

Small Business Exemptions

Any manufacturer of a covered product with annual gross revenues that do not exceed $8,000,000 from all its operations and meets certain other conditions may apply for an exemption to the energy conservation standard. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart E.

ENERGY STAR®

DOE supports the testing and verification of ENERGY STAR® products in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.

Contact information

For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov

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