DOE to Strengthen Enforcement of Energy Efficiency Standards Oct 17, 2009

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The Department of Energy (DOE) has taken additional steps to strengthen the enforcement of energy efficiency standards for covered products under thee Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA). Since 1987, manufacturers of covered consumer products such as residential central air-conditioning, furnaces, water heaters, pool heaters, and direct heating equipment have been required to "certify by means of a compliance statement and a certification report that each basic model(s) meets the applicable energy conservation standard," before distributing it in commerce within the United States.

DOE said that it is enforcing the standards to make it clear that "under existing DOE regulations, a manufacturer’s failure to properly certify a covered product and retain records in accordance with DOE regulations may be subject to enforcement action, including the assessment of civil penalties."

In addition, DOE said it will randomly select and review manufacturers’ compliance with the certification requirements.

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