FTC Publishes Amendments to Improve Usability of the Energy Labeling Rule

Today the Federal Trade Commission has completed amendments to the agency’s Energy Labeling Rule after a public comment period.

The amendments organize the Rule’s product descriptions to make it easier for stakeholders to identify relevant covered products, particularly for categories (such as lighting) that contain several different product types and exemptions. The amendments also divide the Rule’s primary labeling provision into several sections to make it easier to identify the labeling requirements for specific products. Finally, the amendments remove obsolete, unneeded references to products last produced and sold decades ago, and make minor corrections and updates.

The amendments have no significant impact on the Rule’s substantive requirements, but will improve its organization, eliminate obsolete provisions, and generally make it easier to use.

The original Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining the amendments was published for public comment in the Federal Register in March 2019.

The final amendments will go into effect 30 days from the date they are published in the Federal Register.

The Commission vote approving publication of the final amendments was 4-1, with Commissioner Christine S. Wilson dissenting. Commissioner Wilson issued a dissenting statement.

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