G/TBT/N/USA/1841/Add.2  
 
31 March 2023  
(23-2270) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication , dated  31 March 2023, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States of America . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Title:  Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Variable Refrigerant Flow 
Multi-Split Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps  
 
Reason for Addendum:  
[ ] Comment period changed - date:   
[ ] Notified measure adopted - date:  
[X] Notified measure published - date: 30 March 2023  
[X] Notified measure enters into force - date: 30 May 2023; The effective date of this rule is 
30 May 2023. Compliance with the amended standards established for VRF multi -split 
systems in this final rule is  required on and after 1 January 2024.  
[X] Text of final measure available from1:  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2023-03-30/html/2023 -06178.htm  
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR -2023-03-30/pdf/2023 -06178.pdf  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/TBT/USA/final_measure/23_8595_00_
e.pdf 
[ ] Notified measure withdrawn or revoked - date:  
Relevant symbol if measure re -notified:   
[ ] Content or scope of notified measure changed  and text available from1:  
New deadline for comments (if applicable):   
[ ] Interpretive guidance issued and text available from1:  
[ ] Other:  
 
Description:  TITLE: Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Variable 
Refrigerant Flow Multi-Split Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps  
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy  
ACTION: Final rule  
SUMMARY: The Energy Policy and Conservation Act , as amended  (EPCA), prescribes energy 
conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial 
 
1 This information can be provided by including a website address, a pdf attachment, or other 
information on where the text of the final /modified  measure and/or interpretive guidance can be obtained.  G/TBT/N/USA/1841/Add.2  
 
- 2 - 
 
  equipment, including small, large, and very large commercial package air conditioning and heating 
equipment, of which variable refrigerant flow (VRF) multi -split air conditioners and VRF multi -split 
system heat pumps  (collectively referred to as "VRF multi -split systems") are a category. EPCA 
requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) to consider the need for a mended 
standards each time American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers 
(ASHRAE) Standard 90.1  is amended with respect to the standard levels or  design requirements 
applicable to that equipment, or periodically under a six - year-lookback review provision. In this 
final rule, DOE is adopting amended energy conservation standards for VRF multi -split systems that 
rely on a new cooling efficiency metr ic and are equivalent to those levels specified in ASHRAE 
Standard 90.1. DOE has determined that it lacks the clear and convincing evidence required by the 
statute to adopt standards more stringent than the levels specified in the industry standard.  
DATES:  Effective date: The effective date of this rule is 30 May 2023.  
Compliance date: Compliance with the amended standards established for VRF multi -split systems 
in this final rule is required on and after 1 January 2024.  
This final rule and previous actions notified under the symbol G/TBT/N/USA/1841  are identified by 
Docket Number EERE -2018-BT-STD-0003. The Docket Folder is available from R egulations.gov at 
https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EERE -2018-BT-STD-0003/document  and provides access to 
primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. Docu ments are also accessible 
from Regulations.gov  by searching the Docket Number.  
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