DOE has published a Federal Register final rule amending the test procedures for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers to harmonize with updated industry standards, revise certain definitions, revise the test methods to more accurately represent field energy use, and to accommodate a wider range of walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer component equipment designs.

• The effective date of this rule is June 5, 2023
• The amendments will be mandatory for product testing starting October 31, 2023. Manufacturers will be required to use the amended test procedures until the compliance date of any final rule establishing amended energy conservation standards based on the newly established test procedures. At such time, manufacturers will be required to begin using the newly established test procedures. 

• The incorporation by reference of certain materials listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register starting June 5, 2023. 
• The incorporation by reference of certain other material listed in the rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register on January 27, 2017.

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.

WICFs manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6311(20), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 431.306.

To determine that WICFs 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 431.304.