Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment".
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This law nullifies a Department of Energy rule that had updated certification, labeling, and enforcement requirements for energy efficiency standards on consumer products like washing machines and dishwashers and commercial equipment like computer room air conditioners.
Using the Congressional Review Act, Congress disapproved the rule, meaning it has no force or effect and DOE cannot issue a substantially similar rule without new statutory authority.
What this law does
What it does
This joint resolution uses the Congressional Review Act to disapprove a Department of Energy rule published October 9, 2024, titled "Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment." The rule had updated how manufacturers certify and label the energy efficiency of certain consumer products and commercial equipment, and revised how DOE enforces those requirements.
By disapproving the rule, the resolution declares that it "shall have no force or effect," reversing the changes DOE had made to align reporting requirements with current energy conservation standards and test procedures. The resolution does not itself create a replacement rule or set new efficiency standards; it only nullifies the disapproved rule.
Key provisions
- 1Disapproves the Department of Energy rule on certification, labeling, and enforcement for appliance and equipment energy conservation standards, published October 9, 2024, so that it has no force or effect.
Who is affected
Manufacturers of consumer products such as washing machines and dishwashers and commercial equipment such as computer room air conditioners, who would no longer have to meet the certification and labeling requirements in the nullified rule; and the Department of Energy, which loses the enforcement provisions the rule established.
Why it matters
Manufacturers revert to the certification, labeling, and enforcement framework that predated the October 2024 rule, potentially easing compliance burdens tied to the newer requirements. The Department of Energy is also barred from issuing a substantially similar rule in the future unless Congress authorizes it.
What changed
Changes to existing law
Repeals Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment (89 Fed. Reg. 81994)
Nullifies the DOE rule under the Congressional Review Act, giving it no force or effect.
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- Disapproval of the DOE rule
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Became Public Law No: 119-8.
Official CRS summary
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This joint resolution eliminates new, more stringent certification, labeling, and enforcement requirements related to energy conservation standards for specific types of appliances.
Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies a rule titled the Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment and published by the Department of Energy (DOE) on October 9, 2024. Under the rule, DOE modified its regulations on the energy efficiency of certain types of consumer products (e.g., washing machines and dishwashers) and industrial equipment (e.g., computer room air conditioners). DOE modified certification requirements, labeling requirements, and enforcement provisions for these products and equipment to (1) align reporting requirements with currently applicable energy conservation standards and test procedures, and (2) provide DOE with the information necessary to determine the appropriate classification of products for the application of standards.
Legislative subjects
Administrative law and regulatory procedures; Congressional oversight; Consumer affairs; Department of Energy; Energy; Energy efficiency and conservation; Environmental technology; Industrial policy and productivity; Licensing and registrations; Lighting, heating, cooling; Performance measurement