Source: http://www.ftc.gov/os/2003/06/alrcwfrn.htm
Timestamp: 2013-12-06 04:51:56
Document Index: 373211152

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 305', 'art 305', 'art 430', 'art 430', 'art 430', 'art 430', 'art\n305', 'art 305', 'art 305', 'art 305', 'art 305']

[16 CFR Part 305]
RULE CONCERNING DISCLOSURES
REGARDING ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND WATER USE
OF CERTAIN HOME APPLIANCES AND
REQUIRED UNDER THE ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT
("APPLIANCE LABELING RULE")
ACTION: Final rule and conditional exemption.
("Commission") announces amendments to the
Appliance Labeling Rule and the issuance of a conditional exemption in response to a request from the
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers ("AHAM") related to certain labeling
DATES: The effective date of the amendments to 16 CFR Part 305 is January 1, 2004. The effective
date of the conditional exemption described herein is June 11, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hampton Newsome, Attorney, Division of
Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580, (202) 326-2889.
A. FTC Requirements
The Commission issued the Appliance Labeling Rule
in 1979, 44 FR 66466 (Nov. 19, 1979)
("Rule"), in response to a directive in the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 ("EPCA") (42
USC 6294). EPCA also requires the Department of Energy ("DOE") to
develop test procedures that measure how much energy certain appliances use,
and to determine the representative average cost a
consumer pays for the different types of available energy. The Rule covers, among other things, eight categories of major household appliances: refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, water heaters, room air
conditioners, furnaces, and central air conditioners. The Rule requires
manufacturers of all covered appliances to disclose specific energy consumption
or efficiency information (derived from the DOE test
procedures) at the point of sale in the form of an "EnergyGuide" label and in catalogs. The Rule
requires manufacturers to include, on labels, an energy consumption or efficiency figure and a "range of
comparability." This range shows the highest and lowest energy consumption or
efficiencies for all comparable appliance models so consumers can compare the
energy consumption or efficiency of other
models similar to the labeled model. The Rule requires manufacturers, after filing an initial report, to report annually the estimated
annual energy consumption or energy efficiency ratings for the appliances derived from tests performed
pursuant to the DOE test procedures. 16 CFR 305.8(b). Because manufacturers regularly add new
models to their lines, improve existing models, and drop others,
the database from which the ranges of comparability are calculated is constantly changing. Under
Section 305.10 of the Rule, to keep the required information on labels consistent with these changes,
the Commission publishes new ranges (but not more often than annually) if an analysis of the new
information indicates that the upper or lower limits of the ranges have changed by more than 15%. Otherwise, the Commission publishes a statement that the prior ranges remain in effect for the next
B.	New DOE Test Procedure and Energy Standards for Clothes Washers
New energy conservation standards and a new DOE test procedure for clothes washers will
become effective on January 1, 2004. The new energy conservation standard requires that all new
residential clothes washers manufactured after January 1, 2004 be 22% more efficient than today's
minimally compliant clothes washer.(1) Accordingly, the 2004 energy standard will render a substantial
portion of the existing clothes washer market obsolete.
The new DOE test procedure for clothes washers, which also will become effective on January
1, 2004, is found at 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix J1.(2) Application
of the new test
procedure (sometimes referred to as the "J1" test or the "Modified Energy Factor" test) will likely
produce energy consumption figures different from those yielded by the old ("J")
test procedure (10
CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix J).(3) Because these test results are used to determine energy use
information that appears on the FTC EnergyGuide label, consumers may not be able effectively to
compare the energy performance of clothes washers if the labels are based on the two different test
II.	AHAM's Request
To ease the transition to the new energy efficiency standard and new (J1) test procedure,
AHAM(4) wrote to FTC staff on February 7, 2003,
requesting permission to begin using that test for labeling clothes washers during
2003, before the test becomes effective. In addition, AHAM's letter
requests that the Commission allow its members to provide special wording on
the EnergyGuide labels for these models to help consumers in distinguishing washers
tested under the new (J1) procedure from
those tested under the old (J) procedure (see Prototype Label 2 at the end of
this document). AHAM proposed a modified label that would display a banner across
the top stating: "This Model has been
Tested to the 2004 Test Procedure. Compare only with Models with this Notice." AHAM requested
that the Commission allow its members to begin using the new (J1) test and modified labels on May 1,
2003, and that the labeling changes be made "permanent."(5) To grant AHAM's request, the
Commission would have to grant an exemption from certain EnergyGuide testing and labeling
requirements for the remainder of this year and issue Rule amendments to make the requested labeling
changes a permanent requirement for all manufacturers after January 1, 2004.
AHAM submitted its request because it asserts that the transition to clothes washers compliant
with the new 2004 energy efficiency standard and new test procedure, with respect to testing and
labeling, could be unduly burdensome to manufacturers and confusing to consumers. According to
AHAM, there will be hundreds of new energy efficient models introduced throughout the course of
2003. Under current requirements, manufacturers will have to test and rate these new models first
under the old (J) procedure for 2003, and then again under the new (J1) procedure in order to
distribute them in 2004. AHAM stated that, since several samples of each basic model need to be
tested to determine statistically valid ratings, such duplicative testing would result in tremendous
laboratory and manufacturer staff resources for hundreds of new models. Also, AHAM states that
retail floor models are not changed frequently. Thus, without action by the FTC, retail display units for
new models introduced this year will have energy labels based on the old (J) test well into 2004 and
beyond. AHAM is concerned that these display units could be very confusing and misleading as
consumers seek to compare units tested under different procedures in a single showroom without any
notice that differences exist. III. Proposed Exemption and Proposed Rulemaking
In an April 3, 2003 document (68 FR 16231), the Commission
sought comments on AHAM's proposal. The proposal raised two procedural matters:
(1) a request for an exemption from
certain testing and labeling requirements for clothes washers from May through
December 31, 2003 (to permit testing and labeling pursuant to the new (J1)
test); and (2) a proposed "permanent" rule change,
effective January 1, 2004, to conform existing label content and format requirements
to label changes
permitted by the 2003 exemption.
A.	Proposed Conditional Exemption for 2003 The proposed exemption implicated several provisions
of the Appliance Labeling Rule. The Rule requires that, for purposes of the
EnergyGuide label, manufacturers use the estimated annual
energy consumption as derived from the DOE clothes washer test procedures in
10 CFR Part 430 (see 16 CFR 305.5(a) and 305.11(a)(5)(i)(E)). Because the
new (J1) test for clothes washers will not
become effective until January 1, 2004, the current Rule does not authorize the
use of that test for energy consumption information on EnergyGuide labels
until that date. By granting the requested
exemption, the Commission would allow manufacturers to begin using the new test
results on EnergyGuide labels before 2004. In addition, the Rule does not
allow any marks or identification other
than those specified in the Rule to appear on the label except for some limited
here (see 16 CFR 305.11(a)(5)(i)(K)). Accordingly, absent an exemption,
the Rule does not allow the
kind of explanatory information proposed by AHAM. B.	Proposed Rule Change for EnergyGuide Labels for 2004 and Beyond
In the April 3, 2003 document, the Commission indicated
that, by granting the exemption, it is probable that many new clothes washers
distributed for sale in the United States for the remainder of
2003 would have labels containing the proposed advisory language that: "This Model has been Tested
to the 2004 Test Procedure. Compare only with Models with this Notice." Once
this change is made to EnergyGuide labels on units distributed in 2003, a return
to the conventional label in the future may
cause consumer confusion because the units with the modified label will stay
on showroom floors into 2004 and beyond. Given these considerations, AHAM asked
the Commission to make its proposed
label changes permanent. The Commission proposed that the advisory language
required by the Rule after January 1, 2004 should be identical to that on the
label during the exemption period. The
Commission sought public comment on a proposed rule change that would incorporate
AHAM's suggested label changes and require these changes for all clothes washers
distributed for sale in the
United States beginning January 1, 2004. IV.	Comment Analysis
The Commission received four comments in response to the April 3, 2003 document.(6) The
three industry comments (from Alliance, Whirlpool, and AHAM) supported the proposed
conditional exemption and rule change. AHAM stated that, "early compliance
with J1 labeling requirements in 2003 is critical to the efficiency of testing
and production as the industry transitions to new washer
standards by the end of 2003."(7) Whirlpool echoed
AHAM's comment, adding that, without the conditional exemption, it would be not
be able "to meet existing commitments to trade partners."(8) These
three commenters also supported the proposal to make the changes to the EnergyGuide
label permanent. The fourth commenter, NRCan (the agency responsible for appliance
labeling in Canada),
raised concerns about the impact of the proposal on adjoining labels bearing
EnergyGuide and the Canadian "EnerGuide" label (as allowed by the Commission's
Rule). An analysis
of specific issues raised by the comments follows:
A.	Differences Between the J and J1 Tests
The Commission requested comments on whether the differences between the results yielded
by the new (J1) and old (J) tests are significant enough to warrant special advisory language on the
EnergyGuide labels. The Commission also asked whether one test yields significantly higher or lower
results than the other. The three industry comments indicated that the differences were significant
enough to warrant the change. Alliance stated that the tests yielded a 25% difference for one of its
models.(9) Whirlpool and AHAM commented that the new (J1) test results are generally lower than the
older (J) test results and the differences could be as much as 40%.(10) Discussion
According to the commenters, the differences in energy use results yielded by the two tests can
be significant. Given this information, we believe the explanatory text on the labels is appropriate to aid
consumers in distinguishing models tested under the two procedures. The Commission notes that DOE
periodically modifies the test procedure for covered products and such changes can yield different test
results for the same model. In the past, the Commission has not required additional information on the
EnergyGuide label in response to test procedure changes. In this case, however, there are special
circumstances that, in the Commission's view, warrant the explanatory language as requested by
AHAM. First, because the new conservation standard will become effective on the same date as the
new test procedure, a large number of new models will appear on the market over a short period of
time in response to the more stringent efficiency standards. In addition, the differences between the
results of the old and new test procedures could be quite substantial in this case, up to 40% as indicated
by the industry comments. Finally, because the exemption will allow manufacturers to begin using the
new (J1) test results for labeling early, manufacturers will distribute new products with labels based on
the new test while they will continue to distribute older products with labels reflecting the old test. Accordingly, the transition between the old and new labels in showrooms will likely be longer than is
usually the case when DOE amends a test procedure. Considering all these factors, the Commission
believes that explanatory language as suggested by AHAM is appropriate.
B.	Content, Size, and Placement of the Modified Language
The Commission solicited comments on the proposed
changes to the label, such as the content, size, and placement of the modified
language on the EnergyGuide. The Commission asked whether the
proposed language on the EnergyGuide label will help consumers in their purchasing
decisions, or cause undue confusion. In addition, commenters were asked whether
the reference to the year "2004" on the
label will create confusion in subsequent years if the proposed change becomes a permanent fixture on
the label and whether the explanatory language should be required on both the top and the bottom of
the label. The Commission sought comment on alternatives to the proposed advisory language, such as
using the term "J1" or "Modified Energy Factor" in lieu of "2004" in describing
The three industry comments stated that the proposed
changes are appropriate and that the changes to the EnergyGuide label will
help consumers. Whirlpool stated that there will be less need for
dealers to "refloor" model units and less confusion for "energy conscientious
consumers when selecting
new appliances."(11) The industry commenters
also preferred the reference to "the 2004 procedure"
over other descriptors such as "J1" or "Modified Energy Factor" because consumers would have "no
clue" as to the meaning of these latter terms.(12) They did not believe it was necessary to place the
explanatory language on the bottom of the label (in addition to the statements proposed for the top and
middle of the label). Whirlpool wrote that such information would be redundant for consumers.(13) Finally, AHAM and Alliance requested that the size of the new label be 7 3/8 inch (18.73 cm.) as
currently required by the Rule and not 8 inches (20.32 cm.) as proposed by the Commission.(14) Alliance suggested that the use of a 7 3/8 inch (18.73 cm.) label can be accomplished by not
incorporating the proposed text in the middle of the label.(15) Discussion
The Commission agrees with the commenters that the "2004" language is preferable to
alternatives such as "J1" and "Modified Energy Factor." It is possible that, in later years, the reference
to "2004"on the label may raise questions for consumers. Ultimately, however, we do not believe that
this reference will have a significant impact on consumers' ability to compare clothes washer energy use
because the relevant energy use and operating cost information will be clearly marked on the label. Accordingly, we have retained the reference to "2004" in the explanatory language
for the final rule. The Commission recognizes that it may not be desirable
to retain this "2004" reference on the
clothes washer labels indefinitely. Although the explanatory language will aid
consumers during the upcoming transition period, the language will eventually
become unnecessary because all models will
carry the same label. The Commission may consider eliminating the special advisory
language from the Rule in the future. Each year, the Commission analyzes
energy use information submitted for all clothes
washers sold in the United States to determine whether the ranges of comparability
for the EnergyGuide labels should change. If the Commission determines to
amend the ranges in a given year, new labels
printed as a result will display different ranges and use updated information
to calculate operating costs. Accordingly, if there is perceived need to
discontinue the explanatory statements on the labels in the
future, the issuance of new ranges could provide the Commission with the opportunity
eliminating the advisory language published here. The Commission has decided to make minor revisions to the proposed wording of the
explanatory language. Instead of stating in the banner on top of the label that, "This Model has been
Tested to the 2004 Test Procedure. Compare only with Models with this Notice," the Commission
believes that it is preferable to state, "This model has been tested using the 2004 test procedure. Compare only with models displaying this statement." Similarly, the Commission has changed the
explanatory text in the middle of the label to read: "Compare the energy use of this clothes washer only
with models tested using the 2004 test procedure." These modifications replace the phrase "Tested to
the" with "tested using the" (emphasis added). In addition, the phrase "with this Notice" in the top
banner has been changed to "displaying this statement." The final language also
eliminates stray capitalization that appeared in the proposed language. The Commission
believes these minor changes
will make it easier for consumers to understand the intended message.
Finally, some commenters stated that the conventional size label (7 3/8 inches; 18.73 cm.)
should be used for the exemption and final rule instead of an 8 inch (20.32 cm.) label as proposed. Upon further review, the existing label size (7 3/8 inch; 18.73 cm.) will accommodate the additional
banner. We see no significant benefit to requiring the proposed 8 inch (20.32 cm.) label instead of the
conventional 7 3/8 inch (18.73 cm.) label. The Commission, however, does not agree with Alliance
that the modified language in the middle of the label should be removed. This language in the middle of
the label reinforces the message provided by the explanatory information in the top banner. Using
existing font and format requirements for the EnergyGuide label, the conventional (7 3/8 inch; 18.73
cm.) label can accommodate the explanatory language at the top and in the middle of the label (as
shown in Prototype Label 2).
C.	Impact on Canadian and Mexican Labels Comments
The Commission asked whether the implementation of AHAM's proposal would cause
consumer confusion for those units with EnergyGuide labels adjoining energy labels required by Mexico
or Canada. Manufacturers using such joint labels generally print them on hang tags with the U.S. label
on one side and the Canadian label on the other. NRCan raised concerns about the impact of the
proposal for consumers examining these adjoining labels. Beginning in 2004, NRCan will require an
equivalent of the J1 test for labeling purposes. That agency, however, may not have time to harmonize
fully with the FTC's exemption and Rule if the changes are implemented as proposed before then. Therefore, NRCan is concerned that there may be confusion if both labels do not report the same
information on both sides. NRCan indicated, however, that it has discussed options with the Canadian
Appliance Manufacturers Association and is willing to work to identify non-regulatory approaches to
this issue.(16) Without such a resolution, manufacturers would continue to use the Canadian equivalent of
the old (J) test for new models sold in Canada until the end of this year.
The other commenters believed that the proposal would not cause confusion where adjoining
labels are used. AHAM stated that the EnergyGuide label is discernable from that of Mexico or
Canada because it is entirely in English, has a unique format, and clearly states that the results are based
on U.S. government tests. In addition, AHAM suggested that the proposed J1 label would make it
clear that the label should only be compared with other labels bearing the same message.(17) Alliance
asserted that, "[t]he Commission's first priority is to provide accurate information to U.S. consumers,
not withhold action or information because of potential impacts to consumers in neighboring countries." In
its view, any confusion resulting from the change would be far less than the
confusion that would result if the Commission does not issue the proposed exemption
and amendment.(18)
The Commission understands NRCan's concerns about
the use of new (J1) test data on labels and the advisory language related
to that test on adjoining U.S.-Canadian labels. We do not, however,
believe that these concerns warrant a change to the proposed conditional exemption
and Rule amendments. Beginning January 1, 2004, all models distributed in
the U.S. and Canada will display
labels based on the same test. Before that time, it is unclear whether manufacturers
will distribute new models in Canada if, in doing so, they will have to conduct
the same double testing they have sought to
avoid through their petition to the Commission. In addition, NRCan, as suggested
in its comment, may
identify a "non-regulatory" solution that allows manufacturers to use the J1
test for labels on products sold in Canada and thus eliminate these concerns
Even assuming some new models are distributed this
year bearing the joint label, the Commission does not expect that differences
between the Canadian and U.S. labels will significantly
impede consumers' ability to compare the energy use of competing products. Since
1996, the Commission's Rule has allowed manufacturers to print the EnergyGuide
label directly adjoining the
Canadian EnerGuide. See 16 CFR 305.11(5)(i)(I). The U.S. EnergyGuide label
contains operating cost information not found on the Canadian EnerGuide label.
In addition, range of comparability
information on the FTC EnergyGuide label may not be the same as that on the Canadian
EnerGuide labels. We have no evidence that these differences have caused confusion.
As Alliance suggests in its
comments, the EnergyGuide's reference to U.S. government tests alerts consumers
intended for U.S. consumers.(19) In the long term, the Commission believes it is important to harmonize
the U.S. label with the Canadian label as much as possible. Given the relatively short duration of the
exemption period and for the other reasons discussed above, however, the Commission is not requiring
any specific conditions for the exemption with regard to adjoining labels. D.	Benefits and Costs of the Conditional Exemption and Amendments
The Commission asked for comments on the economic impact of the proposed rule and
conditional exemption, including impacts on small business. AHAM stated that the proposals would
impose no additional burdens on manufacturers and would assist manufacturers in meeting DOE
efficiency standards by January 1, 2004.(20) Whirlpool added that it would suffer serious consequences
if the FTC failed to implement these changes by early May.(21) Alliance indicated that the proposal
would reduce a significant burden on manufacturers. It estimated that the proposal would save that
company 35 working days of one laboratory technician dedicated to DOE energy testing.(22)
The manufacturers have described the burdens they are seeking to avoid through the requested
exemption. The Commission believes that issuance of the exemption and final rule will help to avoid
those burdens while, at the same time, minimizing any consumer confusion associated with the transition
from the old Appendix J test procedure to the new Appendix J1 procedure.
V.	Final Conditional Exemption and Amendments
The Commission has considered the comments received and has decided to issue the
conditional exemption and amendments as detailed in this section. The Commission believes that there
are benefits to allowing manufacturers to begin changing over to the new labels and test results at this
time. The exemption and Rule change will allow manufacturers to avoid testing their new products
multiple times pursuant to two test procedures for the purposes of FTC labeling.(23) In addition,
consumers will obtain information based on the new test sooner. The Commission also believes that the
changes to the label will minimize consumer confusion resulting from the exemption and transition to the
new test by alerting consumers that the energy use information on some labels is derived from a new
A.	Final Conditional Exemption The Commission grants AHAM's request for an exemption
from the requirements in 16
CFR 305.5(a) and 305.11(a) only to the extent required to allow manufacturers
(1) use the test procedure in 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix J1 for determining the
energy use figure printed on EnergyGuide labels of clothes washers distributed between June 11, 2003,
and December 31, 2003;(24) and
(2) for such models, use EnergyGuide labels that contain the following modifications to the
format and content requirements in 16 CFR 305.11, as illustrated in Prototype Label 2 at the end of
(a) the use of the statement "Compare the energy use of this clothes washer only with
other models tested using the 2004 test procedure" in lieu of the statement "Compare
the Energy Use of this Clothes Washer with Others Before You Buy"; and
(b) the use of the statement "This model has
been tested using the 2004 test procedure. Compare only with models displaying
this statement." in a 10/16 inch (1.59 cm.) in
height, process black bar across the top of the label.
The Commission grants the exemption with the following conditions: (1) that any manufacturers
using this exemption must use it for all clothes washer models introduced between June 11, 2003, and
December 31, 2003 (they may also use it for existing models that meet the new conservation standard),
and (2) the modified EnergyGuide label must be used if the new (J1) test is used to derive energy use
information on the EnergyGuide label for clothes washers. The manufacturers remain obliged to comply
with all other Rule requirements. Manufacturers not specifically named in AHAM's request may use
this exemption as long as they follow the conditions specified by the Commission.(25)
B. Final Amendments
After considering the comments, the Commission has determined to issue the final rule as
described in this section. To avoid confusion that may result from switching back to the conventional
label after the exemption period, the Commission believes that is preferable to amend the Rule to
require the explanatory language on EnergyGuide labels for all models beginning January 1, 2004. These label changes are identical to those allowed by the conditional exemption. The final amendments
published here will minimize consumer confusion that could result from a return to the conventional label
at the end of the exemption period. Consistent with the conditional exemption, the final rule does not require an 8 inch label as
proposed but instead retains the 7 3/8 inch (18.73 cm.) length currently required by the Rule. In
addition, the final rule incorporates the minor wording and format changes to the explanatory statements
described in the comment analysis and in the description of the conditional exemption. The final rule
changes are printed at the end of this document. All manufacturers must follow these requirements
beginning January 1, 2004.(26) VI.	Regulatory Analysis and Regulatory Flexibility Act Requirements
Under Section 22 of the FTC Act, 15 USC 57b, the
Commission must issue a regulatory analysis for a proceeding to amend a rule
only when it: (1) estimates that the amendment will have an
annual effect on the national economy of $100,000,000 or more; (2) estimates
that the amendment will cause a substantial change in the cost or price of
certain categories of goods or services; or (3)
otherwise determines that the amendment will have a significant effect upon covered
entities or upon consumers. The Commission has determined that the exemption
and amendments to the Rule will not
have such effects on the national economy, on the cost of covered products, or
on covered parties or
consumers. The Regulatory Flexibility Act ("RFA"), 5 USC 601-612,
requires that agencies conduct analyses of the anticipated economic impact
of proposed amendments on small businesses. The
purpose of a regulatory flexibility analysis is to ensure that the agency considers
impact on small entities and examines regulatory alternatives that could
achieve the regulatory purpose while minimizing burdens
on small entities. Section 605 of the RFA, 5 USC 605, provides that such an
analysis is not required if the agency head certifies that the regulatory
action will not have a significant economic impact on a
There are approximately 20 manufacturers of clothes washers sold in the United States. Most
of these manufacturers are relatively large.(27) Because the clothes washer requirements of the Appliance
Labeling Rule cover a limited number of manufacturers, most of which are large, the Commission does
not believe the proposed amendments or exemption will affect a substantial number of small businesses. In any event, the proposed amendments and exemptions are unlikely to have a significant economic
impact upon such entities, if any. Specifically, the proposed rule and exemption involve minor text
changes to labels already required by the Rule. The content of these labels must be changed in
response to new ranges of comparability published by the Commission from time to time. Moreover,
for the reasons explained earlier, the final rule amendments and exemption are expected to lessen the
compliance burdens that would be imposed on regulated entities if they were not permitted to label their
products in accordance with the 2004 test procedures before those procedures officially take effect. In
the Commission's view, the amendments and exemption should not have a significant or
disproportionate impact on the costs of small manufacturers and retailers. Based on available information, therefore, the Commission certifies that these amendments to
the Appliance Labeling Rule and the issuance of the requested exemption will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses. VII.	Paperwork Reduction Act
In a 1988 notice (53 FR 22113), the Commission stated
that the Rule contains disclosure and
reporting requirements that constitute "information collection requirements" as defined by 5
CFR 1320.7(c), the regulation that implements the Paperwork Reduction Act.(28) The
Commission noted that the Rule had been reviewed and approved by the Office of
("OMB") and has been assigned OMB Control No. 3084-0068 with respect to the Rule's
recordkeeping and reporting requirements until September 30, 2004, subject to
further renewal. The exemption and amendments issued in this document do not
change the substance, frequency of the
recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting requirements and, therefore, do not require
further OMB
clearance.(29)
Advertising, Energy conservation, Household appliances,
Labeling, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
VIII.	Final Rule Amendments
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Federal Trade Commission amends 16 CFR Part
305 as follows:
Part 305 - [AMENDED]
1.	The authority citation for Part 305 continues to read as follows:	AUTHORITY: 42 U.S.C. 6294.
2. Amend section 305.11 by revising paragraph
(a)(5)(i)(A) and adding new paragraph
(a)(5)(i)(L) to read as follows:
� 305.11 Labeling for covered products. (a)	*	*	*
(5)	*	*	*
(i)	*	*	*
(A) Headlines and texts, as illustrated in the Prototype Labels in Appendix L to this Part, are standard
for all labels except clothes washer labels, which must have the text and features described in
305.11(a)(5)(i)(L) of this part.
(L) Clothes washer labels must have the headlines
and texts as illustrated in Prototype Label 2 of Appendix L of this Part.
In particular, clothes washer labels must have the following headline as
illustrated in Prototype Label 2: "Compare the energy use of this clothes washer only with other models
tested using the 2004 test procedure." In addition to the requirements for other labels, clothes washer
labels must have a 10/16 inch (1.59 cm.) in height, process black bar across the top that contains the
following text in process yellow as illustrated in Prototype Label 2: "This model
has been tested using the 2004 test procedure. Compare only with models displaying
this statement." *	*	*	*	*
3. Appendix L to part 305 is amended by revising Prototype Label 2 and Sample Label 3 to
Appendix L to Part 305 -- Sample Labels
[Graphic for Prototype
Label 2 should be inserted here]
[Graphic for Sample
Label 3 should be inserted here]
Billing Code 6750-01-P	Endnotes:
1. 66 FR 3314, 3315 (Jan. 12, 2001). A second amended energy efficiency standard, slated to
take effect on January 1, 2007, requires that all new residential clothes washers manufactured after that
date be 35% more efficient than today's minimally compliant clothes washer.
2. The EnergyStar program, run by DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, already
requires use of the new (J1) test to certify clothes washers under that program. 3. According to AHAM, the clothes washer test procedures were revised to better reflect current
usage habits by incorporating updated temperature utilization factors that are more appropriate for
today's designs.
4. The manufacturers identified
in AHAM's request are Alliance Laundry Systems, Electrolux Home Products,
Fisher & Paykel Ltd., GE Appliances, Maytag Appliances, Miele Corp.,
and Whirlpool Corp. Subsequently, AHAM informed Commission staff that BSH,
Gonrenje, and Asko also are
participating in AHAM's request. According to AHAM, these manufacturers produce
over 95% of
the clothes washers sold in the United States. 5. AHAM also requested that the Commission change the reporting date for clothes washer data in
the Rule from March 1 to October 1 for each year. The Commission addressed the requested date
change for data submission in an earlier Federal Register document (see 68 FR 8448 (Feb. 21, 2003)).
6. The Commission received comments
from Alliance Laundry Systems ("Alliance") (1), Whirlpool
Corporation ("Whirlpool") (2), AHAM (3), and Natural Resources Canada ("NRCan")
(4). 7. AHAM (3) p. 1.
8. Whirlpool (2) p. 3.
9. Alliance (1) p. 1 (attachment).
10. AHAM (3) p. 2; Whirlpool (2) p. 4.
11. Whirlpool (2) p. 4
12. AHAM (3) p. 2; Alliance (1) p. 2; and Whirlpool (2) p. 4.
13. Whirlpool (2) p. 4.
14. AHAM (3) p. 2; Alliance (1) p. 2.
15. Alliance (1) p. 2.
16. NRCan (4) pp. 1-2.
17. AHAM (3) p. 2; see also Whirlpool (2) p. 4.
18. Alliance (1) p. 2.
19. Alliance (1) p. 2.
20. AHAM (3) p. 3.
21. Whirlpool (2) p. 5.
22. Alliance (1) p. 2.
23. As stated in the proposal, it is the Commission's understanding that AHAM's members intend to
test new models under the new (J1) test procedure and use limited testing under the old (J) procedure
to develop data for the purposes of DOE and FTC reporting requirements during the remainder of
2003. 64 FR at 16232. The final conditional exemption and Rule amendments announced in this
document apply only to FTC labeling requirements and do not change existing DOE requirements or
otherwise relieve manufacturers from complying with DOE requirements.
24. The April 3, 2003 Federal Register document proposed that the exemption period begin May 1,
2003 (see 68 FR at 16233). This date is now infeasible given the timing of the April 3 document's
25. Given the limited duration of this conditional exemption, the Commission is not incorporating the
exemption into the text of the Rule (see 16 CFR 305.19).
26. Prototype Label 2 in the final rule does not contain a specific reference to the 10/16 inch height
for the black bar across the top of the label. Because the final graphic may not be to scale as it appears
in the Federal Register or the Code, specific references to dimensions on the prototype label may be
confusing. The text of the Rule clearly states the 10/16 (1.59 cm.) inch requirement. 27. Although no comments were received regarding the size of manufacturers subject to the Rule, the
Commission believes that few would qualify as a small business under the relevant threshold (i.e., 1000
employees). See http://www.sba.gov/size/sizetable2002.html (Small Business Standards Matched To
North American Industry Classification System, Code 335224, Household Laundry Equipment
28. 44 USC 3501-20.
29. The exemption and final rule amendments may modify the existing burden slightly by requiring
additional information on the labels. However, because the labels are already required and their
content changes from time to time when ranges of comparability are amended, we believe that the
overall impact of this final rule and exemption is negligible and does not significantly alter the Rule's
overall burden.