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Test Procedures for Battery

Chargers and External Power

Supplies (Standby Mode and

Off Mode) and for MultipleVoltage External Power

Supplies

This page presents additional information on

the notice of proposed rulemaking and

subsequent public meeting, instructions for

stakeholder comments, contact information,

and more for Docket Number EERE-2008-

BT-TP-0004. Return to the Battery Charger

and External Power Supplies page for

information on all of the U.S. Department of

Energy's (DOE) activities related to these

products.

The following documents are available as

Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

Background

Section 310 of EISA 2007 amended section

325 of EPCA by establishing definitions for

active mode, standby mode, and off mode.

This section also directs DOE to amend its

existing test procedures for both battery

chargers and external power supplies to

measure the energy consumed in standby

mode and off mode. It also authorizes the

agency to amend by rule any of the definitions

for active, standby, and off mode so long as

the agency takes into consideration the most

current versions of Standards 62301 and

62087 of the International Electrotechnical

Commission (IEC).

As required by section 325(u)(1)(E) of EPCA,

DOE is conducting a determination on whether

energy conservation standards shall be issued

for external power supplies outside of Class A.

Although the current DOE external power

supply test procedure (PDF 706 KB) can test

high-power external power supplies, it cannot

accommodate external power supplies that

convert to more than one output voltage

simultaneously. Therefore, in order to proceed

with the determination analysis, DOE is

including amendments to the test procedure to

allow for the testing of multiple-voltage

external power supplies.

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

(NOPR)

DOE published a notice of proposed

rulemaking (NOPR) on August 15, 2008,

proposing amendments to existing test

procedures for battery chargers and external

power supplies to include provisions for

measuring standby-mode and off-mode energy

consumption. In this NOPR, DOE is also

proposing a test procedure to measure the

energy consumption of multiple-voltage

external power supplies. In addition, DOE is

proposing certain revisions to the singlevoltage external power supply test procedure

and reporting requirements for "Class A"

external power supplies for public

consideration.

NOPR and Public Meeting, EISA 2007

Test Procedures, Federal Register,

August 15, 2008 (PDF 344 KB)

DOE held a public meeting on September 12,

2008, to receive comments on the issues

presented in the NOPR.

Meeting Materials

All materials related to the public meeting,

including the agenda, presentations, and any

supplemental documents are posted here.

Public meeting agenda (PDF 102 KB)

Issues for Stakeholder comment (PDF

80 KB)

Presentation (PDF 1.9 MB)

Transcript (PDF 403 KB) A transcript

from the public meeting is available for

public inspection in the Building

Technologies Program Reading Room,

between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, except Federal

Holidays, at:

U.S. Department of Energy

Forrestal Building

Room 1J-018

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20585

Telephone: (202) 586-9127

Final Rule

The final rule was published in the Federal

Register on March 27, 2009 (PDF 462).

Contact Information

Victor Petrolati

Project Manager

(202) 586-4549

Printable Version

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Webmaster | Web Site Policies | Security & Privacy | USA.gov

Content Last Updated: 04/30/2009

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2 of 3 5/6/2009 3:00 PM

EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
EERE Information Center

Search Help More Search Options

Printable Version

Battery Chargers and External

Power Supplies

A. This page describes

rulemaking activities and

regulations regarding

energy efficiency for

battery chargers and

external power supplies.

Some of the following

documents are available

as Adobe Acrobat PDFs.

Download Adobe Reader.

Statutory Authority

Rulemakings in Progress

Current Regulations

Past Rulemakings

Contact Information

Statutory Authority

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) (Pub. L.

94-163) established an energy conservation program for major

household appliances. Learn more about the laws and regulations

related to appliances & commercial equipment standards.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) (Pub. L. 109-58),

amended section 325 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.) in part by

adding subsection 325(u) that directs the U.S. Department of Energy

(DOE) to establish a test procedure, hold a scoping workshop, and

conduct a determination analysis of energy conservation standards for

battery chargers (BCs) and external power supplies (EPSs). (42 U.S.C.

6295(u))

BC and EPS excerpts from EPACT 2005, August 8, 2005 (PDF 205

KB)

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) (Pub.

L. 110-140) significantly amended EPCA with regard to the energy

conservation program for BCs and EPSs.

Section 301 defines and sets efficiency standards for Class A external

power supplies (42 U.S.C. 6291(36)(C)) (42 U.S.C. 6295(u)(3)). EISA

2007 directs DOE to publish a final rule by July 1, 2011, to determine

whether the standards set for Class A EPSs should be amended and, if

so, to include any amended standards as part of that final rule. The

statute further directs DOE to publish a second final rule by July 1,

2015, to again determine whether the standards in effect should be

amended (again including any amended standards as part of that final

rule).

Section 309 modifies the statutory provision which directed DOE to

Register for Email Updates

The Department is firmly committed to

informing the public of developments

associated with this rulemaking.

Register to receive email updates on

rulemaking for battery chargers and

external power supplies.

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
perform the determination analysis (42 U.S.C. 6295(u)(1)(E)(i)(I), as

amended). Specifically, EISA 2007 removed BCs from the

determination (leaving only EPSs) and changed the deadline for

completing the determination to two years after the date of enactment

(i.e., by December 19, 2009). Because DOE is already required to

perform two rounds of rulemakings to consider amended efficiency

standards for Class A EPSs, the determination analysis under 42 U.S.C.

6295(u)(1)(E)(i)(I) should not include these products. Therefore, DOE

is interpreting 42 U.S.C. 6295 (u)(1)(E)(i)(I) as a requirement for a

determination analysis that will consider in its scope only EPSs other

than Class A. This determination is scheduled for issuance by

December 19, 2009.

Section 309 also requires DOE to issue a final rule prescribing energy

conservation standards for BCs, if technologically feasible and

economically justified, by July 1, 2011 (42 U.S.C. 6295(u)(1)(E)(i)(II).

This rulemaking will be bundled with the rulemaking for Class A EPSs,

as the products are closely related and the provisions have the same

statutory deadline.

Section 310 requires all test procedures for covered products to be

amended to include test procedures for standby- and off-mode energy

consumption. For BCs and EPSs, these amendments were required to

be completed by December 31, 2008. (42 U.S.C 6295(gg)(2)(B))

BC and EPS excerpts from EISA 2007, December 19, 2007 (PDF

133 KB)

BC and EPS excerpts from EPCA as amended by EISA 2007,

December 19, 2007 (PDF 139 KB)

Back to Top

Rulemakings in Progress

In response to EISA 2007, DOE provided a report to Congress detailing

its planned schedule for meeting the required rulemaking deadlines for

all covered products, including BCs and EPSs. The report was published

in February 2008.

Report to Congress on Appliance Energy Efficiency Rulemakings

– Implementation Report: Energy Conservation Standards

Activities, February 2008 (PDF 311 KB)

The following list gives the rulemaking schedule for BCs and EPSs as

set forth in the report. Click on a rulemaking to learn more about it.

Determination: Non-Class A EPSs; Final Action Date December

2009; Docket EERE-2009-BT-DET-0005

Standards: BCs and Class A EPSs; Final Action Date July 2011;

Docket EERE-2008-BT-STD-0005

Standards: Class A EPSs; Final Action Date July 2015

In addition to these rulemakings, DOE is considering a rulemaking to

develop a test procedure for measuring the active-mode energy

consumption of BCs. No further information about this rulemaking is

available at this time.

Back to Top

Current Regulations

Test Procedures

The current test procedures for BCs and EPSs were developed as part

of a rulemaking process establishing test procedures for several

products contained in the EPACT of 2005. The test procedures were

subsequently amended to include provisions for measuring standby

mode and off mode energy consumption, as directed by EISA 2007.

Final Rule, EPACT 2005 Test Procedures, Federal Register,

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
December 8, 2006 (PDF 706 KB)

Final Rule, Test Procedures for Battery Chargers and External

Power Supplies (Standby Mode and Off Mode), Federal Register,

March 27, 2009 (PDF 462 KB)

Energy Conservation Standards

Battery Chargers

There are currently no energy conservationstandards for battery

chargers.

External Power Supplies

Section 301 of EISA 2007 established minimum efficiency standards for

Class A EPSs effective July 1, 2008. The provision is reproduced here:

(6) EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR CLASS A EXTERNAL POWER

SUPPLIESIN GENERAL- Subject to subparagraphs (B) through (D), a class

A external power supply manufactured on or after the later of

July 1, 2008, or the date of enactment of this paragraph shall

meet the following standards:

Active Mode

Nameplate Output Minimum Efficiency (decimal equivalent of a

percentage)

<1 Watt 0.5 times the nameplate output

1 to not more than 51

Watts

The sum of 0.09 times the natural logarithm of the

nameplate output and 0.5

>51 Watts 0.85

No-Load Mode

Nameplate Output Maximum Consumption

Not more than 250

Watts 0.5 watts

A.

NONCOVERED SUPPLIES- A class A external power supply shall

not be subject to subparagraph (A) if the class A external power

supply is—

manufactured during the period beginning on July 1, 2008,

and ending on June 30, 2015; and

i.

made available by the manufacturer as a service part or a

spare part for an end-use product—

I. that constitutes the primary load; and

II. was manufactured before July 1, 2008.

ii.

B.

MARKING- Any class A external power supply manufactured on

or after July 1, 2008, or the date of enactment of this paragraph

shall be clearly and permanently marked in accordance with the

External Power Supply International Efficiency Marking Protocol,

as referenced in the Energy Star Program Requirements for Single

Voltage External AC-DC and AC-AC Power Supplies, version 1.1

published by the Environmental Protection Agency.

C.

Definitions

Battery Charger

42 U.S.C. 6291(32) as amended by Section 135 of EPACT 2005

The term battery charger means a device that charges batteries for

consumer products, including battery chargers embedded in other

consumer products.

External Power Supply

42 U.S.C. 6291(36)(A) as amended by Section 135 of EPACT 2005

IN GENERAL- The term external power supply means an external power

supply circuit that is used to convert household electric current into DC

current or lower-voltage AC current to operate a consumer product.

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
Consumer Product

42 U.S.C. 6291(1)

The term consumer product means any article other than an

automobile, as defined in section 32901(a)(3) of title 49 of a type—

which in operation consumes, or is designed to consume, energy

or water with respect to showerheads, faucets, water closets, and

urinals; and

A.

which, to any significant extent, is distributed in commerce for

personal use or consumption by individuals without regard to

whether such article of such type is in fact distributed in

commerce for personal use or consumption by an individual,

except that such term includes fluorescent lamp ballasts, general

service fluorescent lamps, incandescent reflector lamps,

showerheads, faucets, water closets, and urinals distributed in

commerce for personal or commercial use or consumption.

B.

Class A External Power Supply

42 U.S.C. 6291(36)(C) as amended by Section 301 of EISA 2007

IN GENERAL- The term class A external power supply means a

device that—

is designed to convert line voltage AC input into lower

voltage AC or DC output;

I.

is able to convert to only 1 AC or DC output voltage at a

time;

II.

is sold with, or intended to be used with, a separate

end-use product that constitutes the primary load;

III.

is contained in a separate physical enclosure from the

end-use product;

IV.

is connected to the end-use product via a removable or

hard-wired male/female electrical connection, cable, cord,

or other wiring; and

V.

has nameplate output power that is less than or equal to

250 watts.

VI.

i.

EXCLUSIONS- The term class A external power supply does not

include any device that—

requires Federal Food and Drug Administration listing and

approval as a medical device in accordance with section

513 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21

U.S.C. 360c); or

I.

powers the charger of a detachable battery pack or charges

the battery of a product that is fully or primarily motor

operated.

II.

ii.

Detachable Battery

42 U.S.C. 6291(52) as amended by Section 301 of EISA 2007

The term detachable battery means a battery that is—

A. contained in a separate enclosure from the product; and

intended to be removed or disconnected from the product for

recharging.

B.

Back to Top

Past Rulemakings

Test Procedures (from EPACT 2005)

Docket Number: EE-RM/TP-05-500

Test procedures for BCs and EPSs were developed as part of a

rulemaking process establishing test procedures for several products

contained in EPACT 2005. To facilitate review of the relevant portions

of this Final Rule, DOE highlighted the terms "battery charger" and

"external power supply" throughout the final rule.

Final Rule, EPACT 2005 Test Procedures, Federal Register,

December 8, 2006 (PDF 706 KB)

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
Learn more about the EPACT 2005 test procedures

Determination Analysis (from EPACT 2005)

Docket Number: EERE-2006-DET-0136

EPACT 2005 required DOE to issue a final rule to determine whether to

issue energy conservation standards for battery chargers and external

power supplies. DOE initiated this determination analysis rulemaking in

2006, which included a scoping workshop on January 24, 2007, at DOE

headquarters in Washington, DC. The determination was underway and

on schedule for issuance by August 8, 2008, when EISA 2007 was

enacted.

Learn more about the EPACT 2005 determination analysis

Test Procedures (from EISA 2007)

Docket Number EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004

Section 310 of EISA 2007 required DOE to amend its existing test

procedures for both BCs and EPSs to measure to energy consumed in

standby mode and off mode. It also authorized DOE to amend by rule

any of the definitions for active, standby, and off mode so long as DOE

took into consideration the most current versions of Standards 62301

and 62087 of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Final Rule, Test Procedures for Battery Chargers and External

Power Supplies (Standby Mode and Off Mode), Federal Register,

March 27, 2009 (PDF 462 KB)

Contact Information

Victor Petrolati

Project Manager

(202) 586-4549

Back to Top

Printable Version

Building Technologies Program Home | EERE Home | U.S. Department of Energy

Webmaster | Web Site Policies | Security & Privacy | USA.gov

Content Last Updated: 05/01/2009

ppqpy gpgyggpp_

5 of 5 5/6/2009 2:48 PM

EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
EERE Information Center

Search Help More Search Options

Printable Version

Battery Chargers and External

Power Supplies

This page describes

rulemaking activities and

regulations regarding

energy efficiency for

battery chargers and

external power supplies.

Some of the following

documents are available

as Adobe Acrobat PDFs.

Download Adobe Reader.

Statutory Authority

Rulemakings in Progress

Current Regulations

Past Rulemakings

Contact Information

Statutory Authority

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) (Pub. L.

94-163) established an energy conservation program for major

household appliances. Learn more about the laws and regulations

related to appliances & commercial equipment standards.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) (Pub. L. 109-58),

amended section 325 of EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.) in part by

adding subsection 325(u) that directs the U.S. Department of Energy

(DOE) to establish a test procedure, hold a scoping workshop, and

conduct a determination analysis of energy conservation standards for

battery chargers (BCs) and external power supplies (EPSs). (42 U.S.C.

6295(u))

BC and EPS excerpts from EPACT 2005, August 8, 2005 (PDF 205

KB)

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) (Pub.

L. 110-140) significantly amended EPCA with regard to the energy

conservation program for BCs and EPSs.

Section 301 defines and sets efficiency standards for Class A external

power supplies (42 U.S.C. 6291(36)(C)) (42 U.S.C. 6295(u)(3)). EISA

2007 directs DOE to publish a final rule by July 1, 2011, to determine

whether the standards set for Class A EPSs should be amended and, if

so, to include any amended standards as part of that final rule. The

statute further directs DOE to publish a second final rule by July 1,

2015, to again determine whether the standards in effect should be

amended (again including any amended standards as part of that final

rule).

Section 309 modifies the statutory provision which directed DOE to

perform the determination analysis (42 U.S.C. 6295(u)(1)(E)(i)(I), as

Register for E-mail Updates

The Department is firmly committed to

informing the public of developments

associated with this rulemaking.

Register to receive e-mail updates on

rulemaking activities for battery

chargers and external power supplies.

Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Battery Chargers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/b...

1 of 5 6/22/2009 8:27 AM

EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
amended). Specifically, EISA 2007 removed BCs from the

determination (leaving only EPSs) and changed the deadline for

completing the determination to two years after the date of enactment

(i.e., by December 19, 2009). Because DOE is already required to

perform two rounds of rulemakings to consider amended efficiency

standards for Class A EPSs, the determination analysis under 42 U.S.C.

6295(u)(1)(E)(i)(I) should not include these products. Therefore, DOE

is interpreting 42 U.S.C. 6295 (u)(1)(E)(i)(I) as a requirement for a

determination analysis that will consider in its scope only EPSs other

than Class A. This determination is scheduled for issuance by

December 19, 2009.

Section 309 also requires DOE to issue a final rule prescribing energy

conservation standards for BCs, if technologically feasible and

economically justified, by July 1, 2011 (42 U.S.C. 6295(u)(1)(E)(i)(II).

This rulemaking will be bundled with the rulemaking for Class A EPSs,

as the products are closely related and the provisions have the same

statutory deadline.

Section 310 requires all test procedures for covered products to be

amended to include test procedures for standby- and off-mode energy

consumption. For BCs and EPSs, these amendments were required to

be completed by December 31, 2008. (42 U.S.C 6295(gg)(2)(B))

BC and EPS excerpts from EISA 2007, December 19, 2007 (PDF

133 KB)

BC and EPS excerpts from EPCA as amended by EISA 2007,

December 19, 2007 (PDF 139 KB)

Back to Top

Rulemakings in Progress

In response to EISA 2007, DOE provided a report to Congress detailing

its planned schedule for meeting the required rulemaking deadlines for

all covered products, including BCs and EPSs. The report was published

in February 2008.

Report to Congress on Appliance Energy Efficiency Rulemakings

– Implementation Report: Energy Conservation Standards

Activities, February 2008 (PDF 311 KB)

The following list gives the rulemaking schedule for BCs and EPSs as

set forth in the report. Click on a rulemaking to learn more about it.

Determination: Non-Class A EPSs; Final Action Date December

2009; Docket EERE-2009-BT-DET-0005

Standards: BCs and Class A EPSs; Final Action Date July 2011;

Docket EERE-2008-BT-STD-0005

Standards: Class A EPSs; Final Action Date July 2015

In addition to these rulemakings, DOE is considering a rulemaking to

develop a test procedure for measuring the active-mode energy

consumption of BCs. No further information about this rulemaking is

available at this time.

Back to Top

Current Regulations

Test Procedures

The current test procedures for BCs and EPSs were developed as part

of a rulemaking process establishing test procedures for several

products contained in the EPACT of 2005. The test procedures were

subsequently amended to include provisions for measuring standby

mode and off mode energy consumption, as directed by EISA 2007.

Final Rule, EPACT 2005 Test Procedures, Federal Register,

December 8, 2006 (PDF 706 KB)

Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Battery Chargers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/b...

2 of 5 6/22/2009 8:27 AM

EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
Final Rule, Test Procedures for Battery Chargers and External

Power Supplies (Standby Mode and Off Mode), Federal Register,

March 27, 2009 (PDF 462 KB)

Energy Conservation Standards

Battery Chargers

There are currently no energy conservationstandards for battery

chargers.

External Power Supplies

Section 301 of EISA 2007 established minimum efficiency standards for

Class A EPSs effective July 1, 2008. The provision is reproduced here:

(6) EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR CLASS A EXTERNAL POWER

SUPPLIESIN GENERAL- Subject to subparagraphs (B) through (D), a class

A external power supply manufactured on or after the later of

July 1, 2008, or the date of enactment of this paragraph shall

meet the following standards:

Active Mode

Nameplate Output Minimum Efficiency (decimal equivalent of a

percentage)

<1 Watt 0.5 times the nameplate output

1 to not more than 51

Watts

The sum of 0.09 times the natural logarithm of the

nameplate output and 0.5

>51 Watts 0.85

No-Load Mode

Nameplate Output Maximum Consumption

Not more than 250

Watts 0.5 watts

A.

NONCOVERED SUPPLIES- A class A external power supply shall

not be subject to subparagraph (A) if the class A external power

supply is—

manufactured during the period beginning on July 1, 2008,

and ending on June 30, 2015; and

i.

made available by the manufacturer as a service part or a

spare part for an end-use product—

I. that constitutes the primary load; and

II. was manufactured before July 1, 2008.

ii.

B.

MARKING- Any class A external power supply manufactured on

or after July 1, 2008, or the date of enactment of this paragraph

shall be clearly and permanently marked in accordance with the

External Power Supply International Efficiency Marking Protocol,

as referenced in the Energy Star Program Requirements for Single

Voltage External AC-DC and AC-AC Power Supplies, version 1.1

published by the Environmental Protection Agency.

C.

Definitions

Battery Charger

42 U.S.C. 6291(32) as amended by Section 135 of EPACT 2005

The term battery charger means a device that charges batteries for

consumer products, including battery chargers embedded in other

consumer products.

External Power Supply

42 U.S.C. 6291(36)(A) as amended by Section 135 of EPACT 2005

IN GENERAL- The term external power supply means an external power

supply circuit that is used to convert household electric current into DC

current or lower-voltage AC current to operate a consumer product.

Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Battery Chargers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/b...

3 of 5 6/22/2009 8:27 AM

EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
Consumer Product

42 U.S.C. 6291(1)

The term consumer product means any article other than an

automobile, as defined in section 32901(a)(3) of title 49 of a type—

which in operation consumes, or is designed to consume, energy

or water with respect to showerheads, faucets, water closets, and

urinals; and

A.

which, to any significant extent, is distributed in commerce for

personal use or consumption by individuals without regard to

whether such article of such type is in fact distributed in

commerce for personal use or consumption by an individual,

except that such term includes fluorescent lamp ballasts, general

service fluorescent lamps, incandescent reflector lamps,

showerheads, faucets, water closets, and urinals distributed in

commerce for personal or commercial use or consumption.

B.

Class A External Power Supply

42 U.S.C. 6291(36)(C) as amended by Section 301 of EISA 2007

IN GENERAL- The term class A external power supply means a

device that—

is designed to convert line voltage AC input into lower

voltage AC or DC output;

I.

is able to convert to only 1 AC or DC output voltage at a

time;

II.

is sold with, or intended to be used with, a separate

end-use product that constitutes the primary load;

III.

is contained in a separate physical enclosure from the

end-use product;

IV.

is connected to the end-use product via a removable or

hard-wired male/female electrical connection, cable, cord,

or other wiring; and

V.

has nameplate output power that is less than or equal to

250 watts.

VI.

i.

EXCLUSIONS- The term class A external power supply does not

include any device that—

requires Federal Food and Drug Administration listing and

approval as a medical device in accordance with section

513 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21

U.S.C. 360c); or

I.

powers the charger of a detachable battery pack or charges

the battery of a product that is fully or primarily motor

operated.

II.

ii.

Detachable Battery

42 U.S.C. 6291(52) as amended by Section 301 of EISA 2007

The term detachable battery means a battery that is—

A. contained in a separate enclosure from the product; and

intended to be removed or disconnected from the product for

recharging.

B.

Back to Top

Certification and Enforcement Provisions

Manufacturers of covered products must report to DOE that the

products they manufacture comply with applicable energy conservation

standards. The standby and off mode test procedure final rule

published in the Federal Register on March 27, 2009, explains the steps

manufacturers must take to demonstrate compliance for Class A EPSs.

These requirements will become effective once DOE has issued a final

rule for a sampling plan for EPSs. Manufacturers need not submit

certification reports for EPSs at this time. Certification requirements are

summarized on page 13321 and discussed in greater detail on pages

13327-31. The amendments to 10 CFR Part 430 are reproduced on

pages 13335-6.

Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Battery Chargers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/b...

4 of 5 6/22/2009 8:27 AM

EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
Final Rule, Test Procedures for Battery Chargers and External

Power Supplies (Standby Mode and Off Mode), Federal Register,

March 27, 2009 (PDF 462 KB)

Frequently Asked Questions

Past Rulemakings

Test Procedures (from EPACT 2005)

Docket Number: EE-RM/TP-05-500

Test procedures for BCs and EPSs were developed as part of a

rulemaking process establishing test procedures for several products

contained in EPACT 2005. To facilitate review of the relevant portions

of this final rule, DOE highlighted the terms "battery charger" and

"external power supply" throughout the final rule.

Final Rule, EPACT 2005 Test Procedures, Federal Register,

December 8, 2006 (PDF 706 KB)

Learn more about the EPACT 2005 test procedures

Determination Analysis (from EPACT 2005)

Docket Number: EERE-2006-DET-0136

EPACT 2005 required DOE to issue a final rule to determine whether to

issue energy conservation standards for battery chargers and external

power supplies. DOE initiated this determination analysis rulemaking in

2006, which included a scoping workshop on January 24, 2007, at DOE

headquarters in Washington, DC. The determination was underway and

on schedule for issuance by August 8, 2008, when EISA 2007 was

enacted.

Learn more about the EPACT 2005 determination analysis

Test Procedures (from EISA 2007)

Docket Number EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004

Section 310 of EISA 2007 required DOE to amend its existing test

procedures for both BCs and EPSs to measure to energy consumed in

standby mode and off mode. It also authorized DOE to amend by rule

any of the definitions for active, standby, and off mode so long as DOE

took into consideration the most current versions of Standards 62301

and 62087 of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Final Rule, Test Procedures for Battery Chargers and External

Power Supplies (Standby Mode and Off Mode), Federal Register,

March 27, 2009 (PDF 462 KB)

Contact Information

Victor Petrolati

Project Manager

(202) 586-4549

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Frequently Asked Questions

This page presents the U.S. Department of

Energy's (DOE) answers to frequently asked

questions about certification and enforcement

related to external power supplies (EPSs).

The DOE rule takes effect on April 27,

2009, but when do we have to start

reporting data on EPSs to DOE? In

section 2D, the rule mentions that

manufacturers are not required to certify

compliance to DOE until sampling

requirements are finalized. When is that

going to happen?

After the sampling requirements are

finalized, how long will we have to

supply our data to DOE?

Once the deadline for supplying data is

established, will we have to supply data

to DOE only on new models or will we

have to supply data on all models we

have in production?

According to the final rule, it does not

seem that DOE changed at all the

definition of a single-output Class A EPS

vs. a BC in EISA 2007. Is this true?

Will DOE publish a separate test

procedure document for EPSs that

manufacturers can share with their

suppliers? If so, when would that

happen? Reading the final rule and

trying to pick out only the items and

issues relevant to testing is very

difficult.

Does the effective date of April 27,

2009, apply to date of manufacture?

Who should submit the required

information to DOE–manufacturers or

the private brand/supplier? What if the

private brand/supplier does not label

the product with its name?

What method(s) will be available for

submission of data, and what is the

process for each method?

Our EPS models for Energy Star

compliance are simply AC-AC adapters.

This is simply the voltage transformer

used to convert AC 120V input to AC

6.5/7.3/8.0V ready for the built-in

rectifier and filter circuit within the base

unit and external charge cradles:

How do the DOE's requirements

for EPSs intersect with the

a.

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
requirements for Energy Star,

including data reporting, selection

of certified test labs, and product

and packaging labeling for

compliance (Energy Star and

DOE)?

Are there any "grandfathering"

provisions or exceptions?

b.

Will the DOE's certification and

data reporting process be similar

to the approach used by FCC,

which is a model familiar to many

companies in the electronics

sector? What will be the

requirements for paperwork?

c.

Is the DOE standard and

certification applicable only to the

EPS or to the EPS and host device

together?

d.

Question: The DOE rule takes effect on April

27, 2009, but when do we have to start

reporting data on EPSs to DOE? In section 2D,

the rule mentions that manufacturers are not

required to certify compliance to DOE until

sampling requirements are finalized. When is

that going to happen?

Answer: The sampling plan requirements will

be finalized by the end of the year through a

DOE Final Rule for Certification, Compliance

and Enforcement Requirements for EPACT

2005 Consumer Products.

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Question: After the sampling requirements

are finalized, how long will we have to supply

our data to DOE?

Answer: Once DOE publishes its Final Rule

for Certification, Compliance and Enforcement

Requirements for EPACT 2005 Consumer

Products it will become effective 30 days after

publication. Therefore, the External Power

Supply (EPS) Certification Requirements

announced in our March 27, 2009, Final Rule

will become effective 30 days after publication

of the DOE Final Rule for Certification,

Compliance and Enforcement Requirements for

EPACT 2005 Consumer Products. However, we

will give manufacturers of EPSs additional

time to file the Certification Reports for all

products that they manufacture. It has not

been decided what additional time will be

allowed at this point, but this will be

communicated to our stakeholders during or

before the DOE Final Rule for Certification,

Compliance and Enforcement Requirements for

EPACT 2005 Consumer Products is published.

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Question: Once the deadline for supplying

data is established, will we have to supply

data to DOE only on new models or will we

have to supply data on all models we have in

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EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34
production?

Answer: DOE will require data to be

submitted for all EPS models that are

manufactured or imported after the effective

date of the DOE Final Rule for Certification,

Compliance and Enforcement Requirements for

EPACT 2005 Consumer Products.

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Question: According to the final rule, it does

not seem that DOE changed at all the

definition of a single-output Class A EPS vs. a

BC in EISA 2007. Is this true?

Answer: DOE has retained in the final rule

the definitions for "Class A" EPS and battery

chargers that were established in EISA 2007.

See EISA 2007, Pub. L. No. 110-140, Sec.

301(a) (Dec. 19, 2007). DOE has provided its

interpretations of these definitions for

stakeholder comment in a Framework

Document for potential standards for EPS and

BCs. This Framework Document is available on

our Web site:

www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings

/appliance_standards/residential

/battery_external_std_2008.html.

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Question: Will DOE publish a separate test

procedure document for EPSs that

manufacturers can share with their suppliers?

If so, when would that happen? Reading the

final rule and trying to pick out only the items

and issues relevant to testing is very difficult.

Answer: No. The United States Government

Printing Office publishes annually an official

codification of Federal Regulations and this

will be published on 1/1/2010. Codifications

of Federal Regulations are also available

on-line at www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html.

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Question: Does the effective date of April 27,

2009, apply to date of manufacture?

Answer: The EPS energy efficiency standard

was established by Congress under EISA 2007

and became effective on July 1, 2008. This

date applies to the required compliance of all

"Class A" EPSs that were manufactured or

imported for sale in commerce in the United

States. Although DOE has not yet established

formal reporting requirements for EPSs, this

fact does not relieve manufacturers of their

legal obligations to ensure that their products

meet the requirements under the law. A

manufacturer who chooses to violate these

requirements could be subject to civil

penalties and other appropriate action. See 42

U.S.C. §§ 6302-6305.

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Question: Who should submit the required

information to DOE–manufacturers or the

private brand/supplier? What if the private

brand/supplier does not label the product with

its name?

Answer: Your question on "manufacturers or

private brand suppliers" of the EPS can

generally be answered by which party is the

first to distribute the EPS into commerce in the

United States. If the EPS is made overseas and

imported into the country by the EPS

manufacturer for sale to an end-use consumer

product manufacturer in the United States for

sale with his product (e.g. laptop computer),

or to an EPS distributor, the EPS manufacturer

would be responsible for ensuring and

reporting that the EPS complies with the

energy conservation standards when it arrives

at the port of entry.

If the EPS is manufactured overseas for an

end-use consumer product that is also

manufactured overseas (e.g. laptop computer)

and the importer was the end-use consumer

product manufacturer, then the end-use

consumer product manufacturer would be the

responsible party for ensuring and reporting

that the EPS complies with the energy

conservation standards when it arrives at the

port of entry. However, nothing prevents the

end-use product manufacturer from ensuring

that the EPS has already been certified by the

EPS manufacturer, so that it eliminates the

end-use product manufacturer responsibility to

certify.

Also, an end-use product manufacturer who

supplies imported EPSs for sale with their

end-use product is considered a

"manufacturer" of the EPS under the

legislative definition, if the end-use product is

manufactured and distributed in commerce in

the United States. Therefore, the end-use

product manufacturer would also be the

responsible party for ensuring and reporting

that the EPS complies with the energy

conservation standards prior to distribution in

commerce (unless the end-use product is

manufactured solely for export). Again,

nothing precludes this end-use product

manufacturer from ensuring that the EPS has

already been certified by the overseas EPS

manufacturer to eliminate the end-use product

manufacturer responsibility for ensuring and

reporting compliance.

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Question: What method(s) will be available

for submission of data, and what is the

process for each method?

Answer: At this point the only method

allowable for submission of data is hard copy.

DOE is evaluating the possibility of providing

an option to permit the electronic submission

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of data. DOE plans to issue in the future a

Federal Register Notice regarding reporting

methods.

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Question: Our EPS models for Energy Star

compliance are simply AC-AC adapters. This is

simply the voltage transformer used to convert

AC 120V input to AC 6.5/7.3/8.0V ready for

the built-in rectifier and filter circuit within the

base unit and external charge cradles:

a. How do the DOE's requirements for EPSs

intersect with the requirements for Energy

Star, including data reporting, selection of

certified test labs, and product and packaging

labeling for compliance (Energy Star and

DOE)?

Answer: The ENERGY STAR Program is a

voluntary program while the DOE Appliance

Standards Program is a mandatory program.

Consequently, there will be differences

between these programs. DOE and the

ENERGY STAR Program use the same test

procedure for measuring the energy efficiency

of the EPS, but may have different sampling

requirements. The DOE sampling requirements

with respect to EPSs have not yet been

finalized by DOE. DOE and the ENERGY STAR

Programs both allow manufacturers to certify

results for only the lowest and highest voltage

models within a design family. Manufacturers

are not required to use independent certified

labs to test EPSs. EISA 2007 requires that all

"Class A" EPS that are required to meet the

EISA 2007 standard for EPS and be clearly and

permanently marked in accordance with the

EPS International Efficiency Marking Protocol.

ENERGY STAR is now requiring a level V

marking. DOE believes that any EPS with at

least a level IV marking is in compliance with

the EISA requirement.

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b. Are there any "grandfathering" provisions

or exceptions?

Answer: No grandfathering provisions were

included in EISA. EISA 2007 did include some

"Exclusions" from "Class A" EPS definition.

DOE has provided its interpretations of the

definitions and exclusions under EISA 2007

for stakeholder comment in a Framework

Document for battery charger and external

power supply standards. EISA 2007 also

exempts a "Class A" EPS from the standards if

the EPS was manufactured from July 1, 2008

through June 30, 2015 and the EPS was made

available by the manufacturer as a service part

or a spare part for an end-use product that: 1)

constitutes the primary load; and 2) was

manufactured before July 1, 2008.

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c. Will the DOE's certification and data

reporting process be similar to the approach

used by FCC, which is a model familiar to

many companies in the electronics sector?

What will be the requirements for paperwork?

Answer: DOE's certification and data

reporting will be similar to that of other

products that are covered under the Appliance

Standards Program.

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d. Is the DOE standard and certification

applicable only to the EPS or to the EPS and

host device together?

Answer: The EISA 2007 standards only apply

to the EPSs that meet the Class A definition.

See EISA 2007, at Sec. 301(c).

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Printable Version

Building Technologies Program Home | EERE Home | U.S. Department of Energy

Webmaster | Web Site Policies | Security & Privacy | USA.gov

Content Last Updated: 06/18/2009

Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Frequently Asked Que... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/b...

6 of 6 6/22/2009 8:28 AM

EERE-2008-BT-TP-0004 COMMENT 34