Source: http://www.regulations.gov/?_escaped_fragment_=documentDetail;D=EERE-2013-BT-WAV-0032-0002
Timestamp: 2016-02-11 06:34:30
Document Index: 436132942

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 430', 'art 430', 'art 430', 'art 430', 'art 430', 'art 429']

Skip Navigation HomeHelpResourcesContact Us Advanced Search Start of Main Content 2013-08-29 Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to BSH Home Appliances Corporation From the Department of Energy Residential Clothes Dryer Test Procedure; Decision and Order. This Notice document was issued by the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office (EERE)For related information, Open Docket Folder Show agency attachment(s) DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Case No. CD-007]
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Decision and Order Granting a Waiver to BSH Home Appliances Corporation From the Department of Energy Residential Clothes Dryer Test Procedure
SummaryThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of the decision and order (Case No. CD-007) that grants to BSH Home Appliances Corporation (BSH) a waiver from the DOE clothes dryer test procedure. The waiver pertains to the models of condensing residential clothes dryer specified in BSH's petition. Condensing clothes dryers cannot be tested using the currently applicable DOE test procedure. Under today's decision and order, BSH shall not be required to test and rate its specified models of residential condensing clothes dryer pursuant to the current test procedure.
DatesThis Decision and Order is effective August 29, 2013.
For Further Information ContactMr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mail Stop EE-2J, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov. Mr. James Silvestro, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Mail Stop GC-71, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 286-4224. Email: James.Silvestro@hq.doe.gov. Supplementary InformationIn accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Section 430.27(l), DOE gives notice of the issuance of its decision and order as set forth below. The decision and order grants BSH a waiver from the applicable residential clothes dryer test procedure at 10 CFR part 430 subpart B, appendix D, for the three models of condensing clothes dryer specified it its petition.
DOE notes that it has promulgated a final test procedure for clothes dryers that provides a mechanism for testing condensing clothes dryers. (76 FR 972, Jan. 6, 2011). Use of this test procedure will be required on the compliance date of any amended standards for clothes dryers. DOE has also published a direct final rule establishing amended standards for clothes dryers, which establishes standards for condensing clothes dryers. (76 FR 22454, April 21, 2011).
Absent adverse comment that the Secretary determines may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule, DOE has proposed that the standards would become effective on January 1, 2015. (76 FR 26656, May 9, 2011). Use of the final test procedure would also be required on that date.
Decision and Order In the Matter of: BSH Home Appliances Corporation (Case No. CD-007).BackgroundTitle III, Part B of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), Pub. L. 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified) established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles, a program covering most major household appliances, which includes the residential clothes washers that are the focus of this notice. (1)
Part B includes definitions, test procedures, labeling provisions, energy conservation standards, and the authority to require information and reports from manufacturers. Further, Part B authorizes the Secretary of Energy to prescribe test procedures that are reasonably designed to produce results which measure energy efficiency, energy use, or estimated operating costs, and that are not unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The current test procedure for clothes dryers is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D.
DOE's regulations contain provisions allowing a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure requirements for covered consumer products if at least one of the following conditions is met: (1) The petitioner's basic model contains one or more design characteristics that prevent testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2) when the prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. (10 CFR 430.27(a)(1)) Petitioners must include in their petition any alternate test procedures known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a manner representative of its energy consumption characteristics. (10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iii))
The Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (the Assistant Secretary) may grant a waiver subject to conditions, including adherence to alternate test procedures. (10 CFR 430.27(l)) Waivers remain ineffect pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(m).
On May 10, 2013, BSH filed a petition for waiver from the test procedures applicable to its Bosch WTB86200UC, WTB86201UC, and WTB86202UC product models of condensing clothes dryer. The applicable test procedure is contained in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D—Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Clothes Dryers. BSH seeks a waiver from the applicable test procedure for its Bosch WTB86200UC, WTB86201UC, and WTB86202UC product models because, BSH asserts, design characteristics of these models prevent testing in accordance with the currently prescribed test procedure, as described in greater detail in the following paragraph.
In support of its petition, BSH claims that the current clothes dryer test procedure applies only to vented clothes dryers because the test procedure requires the use of an exhaust restrictor on the exhaust port of the clothes dryer during testing. Because condenser clothes dryers operate by blowing air through the wet clothes, condensing the water vapor in the airstream, and pumping the collected water into either a drain line or an in-unit container, these products do not use an exhaust port like a vented dryer does. BSH plans to market a condensing clothes dryer for situations in which a conventional vented clothes dryer cannot be used, such as high-rise apartments and condominiums, where construction and building design do not permit the use of external venting.Assertions and DeterminationsBSH's Petition for WaiverOn May 10, 2013, BSH filed a petition for waiver from the test procedure applicable to residential clothes dryers set forth in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D for particular models of condensing clothes dryer. On June 19, 2013, DOE published BSH's petition for waiver and granted BSH an interim waiver from the current test procedure. (78 FR 36760) DOE did not receive any comments on the BSH petition. DOE previously granted BSH a waiver from test procedures for two similar condenser clothes dryer models. (76 FR 33271, June 8, 2011)) DOE also granted waivers for the same type of clothes dryer to LG Electronics (73 FR 66641, Nov. 10, 2008), Whirlpool Corporation (74 FR 66334, Dec. 15, 2009), General Electric (75 FR 13122, Mar. 18, 2010), and Miele Appliance, Inc. (60 FR 9330, Feb. 17, 1995; 76 FR 17637, Mar. 30, 2011). BSH claims that its condenser clothes dryers cannot be tested pursuant to the current test procedure and requests that the same waiver granted to other manufacturers be granted for BSH's Bosch WTB86200UC, WTB86201UC, and WTB86202UC models.
Therefore, for the reasons discussed above, and in light of the previous waivers to other manufacturers, DOE grants BSH's petition for waiver from testing of its Bosch WTB86200UC, WTB86201UC, and WTB86202UC condenser clothes dryers.Consultations With Other AgenciesDOE consulted with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff concerning the BSH petition for waiver. The FTC staff did not have any objections to granting a waiver to BSH.ConclusionAfter careful consideration of all the material that was submitted by BSH and consultation with the FTC staff, it is ordered that:
(1) The petition for waiver submitted by BSH, Inc. (Case No. CD-007) is hereby granted as set forth in the paragraphs below.
(2) BSH shall not be required to test or rate its Bosch WTB86200UC, WTB86201UC, and WTB86202UC condensing clothes dryer models on the basis of the test procedures at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix D.
(5) This waiver applies to only those models specifically set out in BSH's petition. BSH may submit a new or amended petition for waiver and request for grant of interim waiver, as appropriate, for additional models of clothes dryers for which it seeks a waiver from the DOE test procedure. Grant of this petition for waiver also does not release a petitioner from any applicable certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR Part 429.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[FR Doc. 2013-21123 Filed 8-28-13; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 6450-01-PFootnotes
Attachments View All (0) View document: No documents available. Attachments View All (0) Comment Now! Comment Period Closed ID: EERE-2013-BT-WAV-0032-0002 Tracking Number: View original printed format: Document Information Date Posted: Aug 29, 2013Federal Register Number: 2013-21123 Show More Details Submitter Information Comments0 Comments Received* Docket Information This document is contained in EERE-2013-BT-WAV-0032 Related Dockets: NoneRelated RINs: NoneRelated Documents: 2013-06-19 Petition for Waiver and Notice of Granting the... Related Comments: View all * This count refers to the total comment/submissions received on this document, as of 11:59 PM yesterday. Note: Agencies review all submissions, however some agencies may choose to redact, or withhold, certain submissions (or portions thereof) such as those containing private or proprietary information, inappropriate language, or duplicate/near duplicate examples of a mass-mail campaign. This can result in discrepancies between this count and those displayed when conducting searches on the Public Submission document type. For specific information about an agency’s public submission policy, refer to its website or the Federal Register document. Document text and images courtesy of the Federal Register Home Search Advanced Search Browse By Category Learn About Us eRulemaking Program Media Toolkit Agencies Awards & Recognition Enhancements & Fixes Resources Site Data Regulatory Agenda Agency Reports Required by Statute API Overview Developers Help How to use Regulations.gov FAQs Glossary Connect With Contact Us Privacy and Security Notice User Notice Accessibility Statement Partner Sites We the People Federal Register Reginfo Congress.gov USA.gov E-Gov Opengov Participate Today!