Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 111/2

22 March 2011

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 184/2011

US : Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products : Test Procedures for Microwave Ovens

The US Department of Energy (DoE) issued in the Federal Register (FR) of 9 March 2011 an interim final rule on the amendments to the test procedures for microwave ovens to provide for the measurement of standby mode and off mode power use by microwave ovens. The amendments will take effect from 8 April 2011. Interested parties may submit comments on the interim final rule to the DoE no later than 6 September 2011. The FR notice is available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-5044.pdf

DETAILS

2.The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. The "Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products other than Automobiles" established under the EPCA consists essentially of four parts: (1) testing; (2) labeling; (3) establishment of Federal energy conservation standards; and (4) certification and enforcement procedures covering most major household appliances. While the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for labeling, the DoE implements the other three aspects of the program. The testing requirements consist of test procedures that, pursuant to the EPCA, manufacturers of covered products must use as the basis for certifying to DoE that their products comply with applicable energy conservation standards adopted.

Test Procedures for Microwave Ovens

3.The DoE has recently issued an interim final rule to amend the test procedures for microwave ovens to provide for the measurement of standby mode and off mode power use. These amendments incorporate into the DoE test procedure provisions from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301, "Household electrical appliances - Measurement of standby power" First Edition 2005-06. In addition, these amendments adopt in the DoE test procedure definitions of modes based on the relevant provisions from the IEC Standard 62301 Second Edition, Final Draft International Standard (IEC Standard 62301 (FDIS)), as well as language to clarify application of these provisions for measuring standby mode and off mode power consumption in microwave ovens.

4.Traders are advised to refer to the above-mentioned FR notice for the details of the test procedures. Traders are also strongly advised to seek clarifications with their importers in the US in order to comply with the necessary requirements.

5.Separately, the DoE maintains a website on the Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards Program, which develops test procedures and minimum efficiency standards for residential appliances and commercial equipment. Traders are advised to visit the website at:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/index.html for latest information on the test procedures and energy conservation standards.

ENQUIRIES

6.For enquiries concerning this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Carmen CHAN)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry