Appliance Labeling Rule, 45715-45724 [2011-19041]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 147 / Monday, August 1, 2011 / Proposed Rules
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD and placed it in the
AD docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Incorporation by reference,
Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR Part
39 as follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new AD:
Bombardier Inc.: Docket No. FAA–2011–
0720; Directorate Identifier 2010–NM–
252–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by
September 15, 2011.
*
*
*
*
The unsafe condition is loss of control during
landing.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Actions
(g) Within 30 days after the effective date
of this AD, revise the maintenance program
by incorporating Task 323400–203 specified
in Bombardier Temporary Revision (TR)
MRB–46, dated February 4, 2010, to Section
1–32, Systems/Powerplant Maintenance
Program, of the Maintenance Review Board
(MRB) Report Part 1, of the Bombardier Q400
Dash 8 Maintenance Requirements Manual,
PSM 1–84–7. The initial compliance time for
the actions specified in Bombardier TR
MRB–46, dated February 4, 2010, is within
6,000 flight hours after the effective date of
this AD. Thereafter, operate the airplane
according to the procedures and compliance
times in Bombardier TR MRB–46, dated
February 4, 2010.
No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and/or
Critical Design Configuration Control
Limitations (CDCCLs)
(h) After accomplishing the revision
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no
alternative actions (e.g., inspections),
intervals, and/or CDCCLs may be used unless
the actions, intervals, and/or CDCCLs are
approved as an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this
AD.
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI
and/or service information as follows: No
differences.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Bombardier Inc.
Model DHC–8–400, –401, and –402
airplanes, certificated in any category, having
serial numbers 4001 and subsequent.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 32: Landing Gear.
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*
FAA AD Differences
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) states:
There has been one reported incident
where the main landing gear (MLG) failed to
extend during testing of the MLG alternate
release system. Investigation revealed that
the door release lever bushing was worn,
causing an increase in the lateral movement
of the release cable system. An increase in
free-play within the release cable system
would cause additional wear to the door
release lever bushing and may lead to the
turnbuckle fouling against the nacelle frame.
The bushing wear at the door release lever
and turnbuckle fouling could cause a failure
in the alternate release system, preventing
the landing gear from extending in the case
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of a failure of the normal MLG extension/
retraction system.
18:53 Jul 29, 2011
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Other FAA AD Provisions
(i) The following provisions also apply to
this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs): The Manager, New York Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), ANE–170, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR
39.19, send your request to your principal
inspector or local Flight Standards District
Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the New York ACO, Send it to
ATTN: Program Manager, Continuing
Operational Safety, 1600 Stewart Avenue,
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone
516–228–7300; fax 516–794–5531. Before
using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a
principal inspector, the manager of the local
flight standards district office/certificate
holding district office. The AMOC approval
letter must specifically reference this AD.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement
in this AD to obtain corrective actions from
a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective
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45715
actions are considered FAA-approved if they
are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required
to assure the product is airworthy before it
is returned to service.
Related Information
(j) Refer to MCAI Canadian Airworthiness
Directive CF–2010–26, dated August 17,
2010; and Bombardier Temporary Revision
MRB–46, dated February 4, 2010, to Section
1–32, Systems/Powerplant Maintenance
Program, of the Maintenance Review Board
Report Part 1, of the Bombardier Q400 Dash
8 Maintenance Requirements Manual, PSM
1–84–7; for related information.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 22,
2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–19330 Filed 7–29–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 305
[RIN 3084–AB03]
Appliance Labeling Rule
Federal Trade Commission
(FTC or Commission).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Commission proposes to
expand coverage of the Lighting Facts
label to include all screw-based and
GU–10 and GU–24 pin-based light
bulbs. Under this proposal,
manufacturers would have 21⁄2 years to
conform their products and packaging to
the labeling requirements. The
Commission also proposes to require a
specific test procedure (LM–79) for
measuring light output for all light
emitting diode (LED) bulbs covered by
the Rule. Finally, the Commission is not
proposing amendments for several other
issues such as watt-equivalent
standards, directional light disclosures,
and lead content disclosures.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before September 22,
2011.
SUMMARY:
Interested parties may file a
comment online or on paper, by
following the instructions in the
Request for Comment part of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
below. Write ‘‘Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking on Expanded Bulb
Coverage for the Lighting Facts Label
(16 CFR part 305) (Project No.
P084206)’’ on your comment, and file
your comment online at https://
ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/
lampcoveragenprm, by following the
ADDRESSES:
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 147 / Monday, August 1, 2011 / Proposed Rules
instructions on the web-based form. If
you prefer to file your comment on
paper, mail or deliver your comment to
the following address: Federal Trade
Commission, Office of the Secretary,
Room H–113 (Annex Y), 600
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20580.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Hampton Newsome, Attorney, Division
of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer
Protection, Federal Trade Commission,
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326–2889.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On July 19, 2010 (75 FR 41696), the
Commission published new light bulb 1
labeling requirements and sought
comments on several unresolved issues
related to those requirements.2 The new
requirements, which amend the
Appliance Labeling Rule, 16 CFR part
305 (‘‘Rule’’), feature a ‘‘Lighting Facts’’
label that discloses information about
the bulb’s brightness, annual energy
cost, life, color appearance, and energy
use.3 The Commission also sought
additional comment on the following
unresolved issues: the label’s product
coverage, light-emitting diode (LED) test
procedures, watt-equivalence claims,
beam spread and directional light
disclosures, lead content disclosures,
bilingual labels, fossil fuel lamp labels,
and power factor disclosures. The
Commission sought comment on these
issues in response to the Congressional
directive to consider reopening the
labeling rulemaking in 2011 if the
Commission determines that further
labeling changes are necessary.4
II. Proposed Amendments
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Consistent with Congress’ directive,
the Commission is now reopening the
light bulb labeling rulemaking to seek
comments on proposed amendments to
the Rule. Specifically, the Commission
proposes to expand label coverage to
additional styles of bulbs and to require
a specific test procedure requirement for
LED bulb labels. The comments
received in response to the July 2010
Notice suggest that these changes will
help consumers with their purchasing
1 This document uses the terms lamp, light bulb,
and bulb interchangeably.
2 The Energy Independence and Security Act of
2007 (EISA) directed the Commission to examine
existing light bulb labeling requirements. Public
Law 110–140. EISA amended the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (EPCA) (42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.).
3 The requirements also direct manufacturers to
print lumen information and, where appropriate, a
mercury disclosure on the products themselves.
4 42 U.S.C. 6294(a)(2)(D)(iii)(II)(bb).
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decisions.5 As discussed in section III,
the Commission is not proposing
amendments related to any other issues
raised in the July 2010 Notice.
A. Expanded Light Bulb Label Coverage
The Commission proposes to expand
label coverage beyond medium screwbased products 6 to include all screwbased bulbs and GU–10 and GU–24 pinbased bulbs because expanded coverage
will provide consumers uniform
information, such as energy cost,
brightness, and bulb life, to help them
with their lighting decisions.7 In
imposing these requirements, the
Commission plans to give
manufacturers at least two and a half
years to change their packaging to
incorporate the new labels. As
explained below, the Commission also
seeks comment on the Rule’s existing
exclusions for specialty bulbs (e.g., bug,
marine, and mine service lamps) and
requiring the Lighting Facts labels for
general service fluorescent lamp
packages.
In response to the July 2010 Notice,
several energy efficiency groups
recommended, while industry members
opposed, expanding coverage to include
all screw-based models, including
intermediate and candelabra based
5 See https://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/
lamplabelingfinal/index.shtm. Unless otherwise
stated, comments discussed in this document refer
to the following: Anderson (# 549189–00015);
Alliance to Save Energy (including American
Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,
Appliance Standards Awareness Project, Consumer
Federation of America, Midwest Energy Efficiency
Alliance, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships,
Northwest Power and Conservation Council, and
Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance) (# 549189–
00018); Bell (# 549189–00003); CEE (# 549189–
00019); Cree, Inc. (# 549189–00022); Fountain (#
549189–00016); Fritz (# 549189–00008); Grosslight
(# 549189–00011); Krause (# 549189–00010);
Meirowsky (# 549189–00004) (# 549189–00005);
Moratti (# 549189–00009); Naim (# 549189–00014);
Natural Resources Defense Council (# 549189–
00013) (# 549189–00020); National Electrical
Manufacturers Association (# 549189–00021);
OSRAM SYLVANIA (# 549189–00017); Puckett (#
549189–00002); and St. Peter (# 549189–00012).
6 Currently, the new label covers all general
service lamps (i.e., medium screw-based
incandescent, compact fluorescent [CFL], and LED
products).
7 The Commission proposes this expanded
coverage pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6294(a)(6) of EPCA,
which gives the Commission authority to require
disclosures for consumer products ‘‘not specified’’
under existing labeling requirements if the
Commission ‘‘determines that labeling for the
product is likely to assist consumers in making
purchasing decisions.’’ EPCA defines ‘‘consumer
product’’ as any article (other than an automobile)
which ‘‘in operation consumes, or is designed to
consume energy’’ and ‘‘which, to any significant
extent is distributed in commerce for personal use
or consumption by an individual.’’ 42 U.S.C.
6291(1). The Commission recently relied on this
authority in requiring labels for LED bulbs, reflector
lamps, and three-way lamps. 75 FR 41696, 41698
(Jul. 19, 2010).
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models, and GU–10 and GU–24 pinbased models. The energy efficiency
groups argued that such expanded label
coverage would help consumers choose
among bulbs with varying light output,
energy efficiency, and other factors.
Specifically, the Natural Resources
Defense Council (NRDC) argued that the
new label should appear on packages for
all screw-based models to ensure that
the same information, in the form of the
new label, appears on most light bulbs.
In its view, the label’s consistent
disclosures for energy cost, brightness,
life, color temperature, and watts will
help consumers choose products with
the characteristics they seek. According
to the NRDC, consumers need the same
basic light bulb information regardless
of the product’s shape (e.g., pear, globe,
flame, or spiral), base (e.g., small,
medium, or large diameter), or
technology (e.g., incandescent, halogen,
LED, CFL, etc.).8 Although medium
screw bases are the most common type
of consumer lamp, NRDC identified a
wide variety of lamps which use
candelabra and intermediate bases.
During informal visits to retail stores,
NRDC observed that these bulbs can
range from 2 watts to 100 watts, fit
many different applications including
chandeliers, night lights, ceiling fans,
and halogen fixtures, and use traditional
incandescent, halogen, CFL, or LED
technology.9 NRDC also identified wide
differences in the light output among
these products, arguing that labeling
them would ensure a level playing field
for industry. Finally, NRDC noted that
packages for these products generally
have room for the new FTC label.
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency
(CEE) also urged labeling for candelabrabased bulbs but added a
recommendation for pin-based (GU–24
and GU–10) lamps. In its view,
expanding labeling coverage to
additional styles of bulbs will better
inform consumers about relative
product performance and avoid
confusion that could be caused by
requiring the Lighting Facts label for
some products but not others. CEE
explained that, because these products
can vary significantly in light output,
energy use, and other characteristics,
the label will be helpful to consumers.
For example, current incandescent
8 The Alliance to Save Energy also argued that no
reason exists to exclude some screw-based bulbs
from the label and not others. In its view, such
inconsistency adds to consumer confusion when
purchasing lighting products.
9 NRDC included several examples of night lights,
candelabra bulbs, and chandelier bulbs. In one
instance, it observed two nearly-identical 60W
flame shaped lamps being sold next to each, one
with a conventional medium screw base, the other
with a smaller, candelabra base.
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candelabra-based bulbs generally draw
25–60 watts per lamp and thus have a
broad range of energy costs. These
products also occupy a significant
market share, according to CEE
estimates, with candelabra-based
products comprising roughly 9% of
bulbs sold. Similarly, pin-based CFLs,
which also appear in various wattages,
comprise roughly 8% of the CFLs in the
U.S. in 2008 (approximately 28.3
million lamps) according to CEE
estimates.10 CEE observed that
candelabra and pin-based lamps appear
in varied light outputs, lifetimes, and
color temperatures, suggesting such
label information will help consumer
purchasing decisions.11 Finally, CEE
recommended that the FTC minimize
the burden of expanded label coverage
by providing manufacturers with more
time to incorporate changes into their
normal production and design
schedules.12
In contrast, the National Electrical
Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
opposed expanded label coverage.
NEMA explained that because
intermediate and candelabra-based
bulbs use less energy than medium
screw base bulbs on a daily basis and
appear only in a few household
locations such as bathrooms, dining
rooms, and some outdoor lighting
decorative fixtures, they do not warrant
labeling.13 NEMA also argued that
intermediate and candelabra based
bulbs produced using differing
technologies (e.g., incandescent, CFL,
and LED) do not necessarily have the
same functionality, and thus are not
always direct substitutes for each other,
presumably decreasing the comparative
benefits of the FTC label. For example,
most CFL replacements do not dim and
may not provide the same ‘‘sparkle’’
10 The Commission recently declined to require
the new label for 75-watt incandescent bulbs, which
represent about 1⁄5 of the incandescent market. 76
FR 20233 (Apr. 12, 2011). However, unlike pinbased CFLs, 75-watt incandescent bulbs will be
phased out by 2013 efficiency standards.
11 For example, according to CEE, ENERGY
STAR-qualified GU–24 products demonstrate light
output ranges from 547–2703 lumens, power draw
from 9–42 watts, lifetime from 8,000–12,000 hours,
and color temperature from 2700–6500 Kelvin.
12 CEE’s suggestion is consistent with concerns
recently raised by industry members about the
effective date for labels on medium screw base
bulbs. See 75 FR 81943 (Dec. 29, 2010) (NEMA
petition to extend effective date for implementation
of the Lighting Facts label).
13 NEMA explained that EISA already limits the
wattage of these bulbs to 40W for intermediatebased and 60W for candelabra-based bulbs,
implying that labeling is not necessary for these
products because of their limited wattages and
corresponding energy costs. NEMA acknowledges
that a few bulb types do consume more energy (e.g.,
500w DE bulb) but states that these type bulbs do
not have any energy efficient alternatives for
consumers to choose from.
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sought by consumers. NEMA also
asserted that consumers are likely to
purchase intermediate and candelabra
bulbs based on aesthetic shape, fit, and
maximum wattage of their existing
sockets, not on the information
provided by the new labels. Finally,
NEMA argued that packages for
intermediate and candelabra bulbs
(often cardboard sheets with plastic
bulb covers) have little or no room for
the new label.
After considering the comments, the
Commission finds the energy efficiency
group recommendations for expanding
coverage more persuasive than NEMA’s
arguments opposing them.14 Contrary to
NEMA’s assertions, expanded labeling
is likely to help consumers compare the
variations in energy use, technology,
and performance of these products.
Specifically, these products can use
significant amounts of energy compared
to other lighting products. For example,
as detailed by the comments, candelabra
and intermediate-based incandescent
bulbs are likely to draw significantly
more watts than their CFL and LED
counterparts. These bulbs also may
draw more watts than larger, mediumbased CFLs and LEDs. In addition,
while competing technologies may not
be available for some of these bulbs, that
is not always the case,15 and the
development of additional competing
technologies is likely in the future. Also,
given the relatively high wattage and
light output variation among these
products, consumers are likely to
consider the label’s light output, energy
cost, life, and other disclosures even if,
as NEMA states, they also are concerned
with other factors such as shape, fit, and
maximum wattage. In fact, as indicated
by other comments, performance
characteristics for these bulbs vary
significantly, strongly suggesting that
the FTC label, which highlights such
variations, will be relevant to many
consumers. And, although typical usage
patterns (e.g., hours per day of
operation) may vary for these products,
the standard usage assumption on the
Lighting Facts label (i.e., three hours per
day) will provide consumers a
consistent method to compare
performance. Finally, though NEMA
raised concerns about package size, the
Rule already addresses space limitation
issues by allowing an alternative text14 Consistent with existing requirements, the
expanded bulb coverage would also apply to
disclosures for bulbs sold through websites and
paper catalogs. See 16 CFR 305.20.
15 For instance, as suggested by NRDC, chandelier
bulbs are commonly sold in CFL and incandescent
versions.
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only label for packages with less than
24 inches of printable space.16
To expand the label’s coverage to
additional styles of bulbs, the
Commission proposes to amend the
definition of ‘‘general service lamp’’ to
cover all screw-based incandescent,
CFL, and LED lamps, eliminate existing
exclusions for specific bulb shapes
generally available to consumers, and
make other minor, conforming changes
consistent with this proposal.17
Currently, the definition excludes G
shape lamps (as defined in ANSI
C78.20–2003 and C79.1–2002) with a
diameter of 5 inches or more; T shape
lamps (as defined in ANSI C78.20–2003
and C79.1–2002) that use not more than
40 watts or have a length of more than
10 inches; and B, BA, CA, F, G16–1/2,
G–25, G30, S, or M–14 lamps (as
defined in ANSI C79.1–2002 and ANSI
C78.20–2003) of 40 watts or less.
The Commission seeks comment on
this proposal, particularly whether the
Rule should retain existing exclusions
for the particular shapes described
above.18 Please also provide detailed
reasons for all comments. In preparing
responses, commenters should review
carefully the proposed revisions to the
definition of ‘‘general service lamp’’ at
the end of this notice. In addition, the
Commission requests that comments
address whether the Commission
should retain existing exclusions for
special-use bulbs including appliance
lamps as defined at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30);
black light lamps; bug lamps; colored
lamps as defined at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30);
infrared lamps; left-hand thread lamps;
marine lamps; marine signal service
lamp; mine service lamp; plant light
lamps; rough service lamps as defined at
42 U.S.C. 6291(30); shatter-resistant
lamps (including shatter-proof lamps
and a shatterprotected lamps); sign
service lamps; silver bowl lamps;
showcase lamps; traffic signal lamps;
and vibration service lamps as defined
at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30). In addressing
label coverage for these specialty bulbs
or for any particular bulb shape,
comments should indicate whether such
bulbs are distributed, to any significant
16 In calculating such space, manufacturers
should exclude the package area occupied by the
bulbs themselves and the plastic necessary to cover
them.
17 The amendment to the definition of ‘‘general
service lamp’’ also clarifies that the Lighting Facts
label applies to lamps that are ‘‘consumer products’’
as defined by EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6291(1)).
18 Comments should also address whether these
products will have space available for the
disclosures required on the products themselves
(e.g., lumens and mercury disclosure). In addition,
comments should address whether test procedures
are available for measuring light output, energy use,
life, and color temperature for these products.
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extent, for personal use or consumption
by consumers.
Finally, commenters should address
whether the Lighting Facts label should
appear on the package of general service
fluorescent lamps.19 Currently, the Rule
requires an encircled ‘‘E’’ on the
package of these lamps to denote
compliance with federal efficiency
standards. When it issued this
requirement in 1994, the Commission
declined to require more detailed
disclosures (e.g., lumens, life, etc.)
because of similarities in the
characteristics of competing general
service fluorescent lamps.20 The
Commmission asks now whether it
should reconsider this decision and, if
so, why. In particular, comments should
address the extent to which these
products are sold to consumers in the
residential market, the amount of energy
such products use, the variability in
energy use between comparable
products, the burdens associated with
such label changes, and the likelihood
the new label information would help
consumers in their purchasing decisions
for these products.
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B. LED Test Procedure
Based on unchallenged support in the
comments, the Commission proposes to
require a specific test procedure, IES–
LM–79–2008 (LM–79), for measuring
LED light output and color
characteristics to help ensure consistent
label content. The July 2010 Notice
identified this procedure as a ‘‘safe
harbor,’’ allowing manufacturers to use
LM–79 as a reasonable basis for LED
light output claims. Now, the
Commission proposes to make the
procedure mandatory and provide
manufacturers one year to begin using
the procedure as the basis for their label
information for LED bulbs. The
Commission seeks comment on this
proposal.
Comments provided convincing
support for the adoption of LM–79.21
CEE argued that an FTC requirement for
LM–79 would create more consistency
in the market. It explained that the
procedure offers the only test available
to measure LED products, given their
unique properties. CEE also noted that
representatives of industry, research
institutions, and test laboratories
contributed to its development and that
the ENERGY STAR program has
incorporated LM–79 into its
specifications. Cree, Inc., also explained
19 One commenter, Meirowsky, suggested that the
Commission label these products but did not
provide details.
20 59 FR 25176, 25197 (May 13, 1994).
21 See NEMA, CEE, and Cree, Inc.
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that most manufacturers know the LM–
79 procedures, test labs conduct these
measurements, and, in the commercial
market at least, consumers are looking
for this test data when they purchase
LED bulbs.
III. Issues Not Included in Proposed
Amendments
After reviewing the comments
submitted in response to the July 2010
Notice, the Commission is not
proposing any new requirements for
watt-equivalence standards, beam
spread disclosures, directional light
disclosures, lead content disclosures,
bilingual labels, fossil fuel lamp labels,
and power factor at this time.22 Unless
stated otherwise, the Commission is not
seeking additional comments on these
issues.
A. Watt-Equivalence Claims
The Commission is not proposing
standards for watt-equivalence claims
because such requirements may inhibit
helpful, truthful representations, and
thus may not necessarily help
consumers in their bulb purchasing
decisions. Nevertheless, manufacturers
should heed the Commission’s earlier
recommendation to use ENERGY STAR
equivalence benchmarks for general
guidance in developing their wattequivalence claims.23
Watt-equivalence claims often appear
on CFL packages and generally contain
conspicuous comparisons of the CFL’s
light output to equivalent incandescent
lamps (e.g., ‘‘this bulb is a ‘60-watt’
equivalent’’ or ‘‘13W=60W’’). In the
June 2010 Notice, the Commission
sought comment on establishing
mandatory, watt-equivalence
requirements for these claims.24
The comments offered conflicting
views. NRDC suggested the Commission
set standards to mandate consistency in
watt-equivalence claims on light bulb
packages. In particular, NRDC, which
provided several examples of
problematic watt-equivalence claims,
urged the Commission to use the
ENERGY STAR watt-equivalence
benchmarks in that program’s CFL
specifications. It also noted that the
European Union has already adopted
such standards. Additionally, NRDC
22 The Commission also received comments on
issues already addressed by the Final Rule notice
(e.g., bulb life disclosures, mercury disclosures,
color rendering index, and dimmers) and issues not
identified for comment in that notice (e.g.,
operating temperature disclosures). This Notice
does not address those issues because the
Commission has already considered them earlier or
because they are not relevant to the issues currently
under consideration.
23 75 FR at 41701.
24 Id.
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urged standards for reflector lamps
separate from those for conventional
incandescent bulbs. NEMA also
supported standards but, as an
alternative, recommended the
Commission impose a blanket
prohibition on all watt-equivalence
claims. Such a prohibition, in NEMA’s
view, would shift consumers away from
using older, nearly obsolete technology
as the basis for their bulb comparisons.
Conversely, Cree, Inc. argued that
strict standards may actually encourage
watt-equivalence claims and cause
continued consumer reliance on power
as a shorthand for light output. Cree,
Inc. also argued that watt-equivalence
comparisons should take into account
factors other than light output such as
light quality and distribution. According
to Cree, Inc., products with identical
light outputs and color temperature may
actually appear to be substantially
different to consumers because of
factors such as color rendition index,
light distribution, and color point
location.
After considering these comments, the
Commission is not proposing wattequivalence standards at this time. As
discussed by the Commission in the July
2010 Notice, the ENERGY STAR
benchmarks provide important
guidance, but they may not be
applicable in every case.25 Variables
such as color appearance and other
factors discussed in the comments make
it difficult to apply a ‘‘one-size-fits-all’’
approach. Indeed, rigid equivalence
standards could inhibit truthful claims.
For example, while typical 60-watt
incandescent bulbs have an 800-lumen
rating, some 60-watt bulbs that have a
cooler light appearance, could have
lower lumen ratings (e.g., 675 lumens).
A strict legal standard requiring at least
800 lumens for all 60-watt comparisons
would prohibit such claims for those
cooler, dimmer (e.g., 675 lumens) bulbs
even though they are truthful.26 The
25 Id.
26 EPCA authorizes the Commission to consider
‘‘alternative labeling approaches that will help
consumers to understand new high-efficiency lamp
products and to base the purchase decisions of the
consumers on the most appropriate source that
meets the requirements of the consumers for
lighting level, light quality, lamp lifetime, and total
lifecycle cost.’’ 42 U.S.C. 6294(a)(2)(D)(iii).
Although EPCA gives the FTC authority to require
affirmative energy disclosures on packages and
products, the statute does not indicate that the FTC
has authority to prohibit what are otherwise
truthful, substantiated claims. Under § 5 of the FTC
Act, the Commission has authority to prohibit
deceptive and unfair claims. 15 U.S.C. 45(a)(1).
There is no evidence that the watt-equivalence
claims discussed here are categorically deceptive or
unfair. In fact, as the Commission has
acknowledged previously (74 FR 57950, 57955
(Nov. 10, 2009)), watt-equivalence claims may be
useful to consumers as they transition toward using
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comments did not address these
concerns in any detail.
However, even in the absence of rigid
watt-equivalence standards,
manufacturers must ensure they can
substantiate their watt-equivalence
claims. The comments highlight the
need for manufacturers to ensure their
watt-equivalence claims are not
deceptive. In particular, manufacturers
must take into account the brightness of
the bulbs they are comparing, as well as
other material factors such as light
appearance (i.e., color temperature). To
help manufacturers with these claims,
the ENERGY STAR program has issued
watt-equivalence standards that provide
general benchmarks for comparing the
light output of traditional incandescents
to CFLs. In the short run, the
Commission recommends that
manufacturers adhere to the
benchmarks in the ENERGY STAR wattequivalence guidelines (see Table 1
below) unless they have a reasonable
basis for a different equivalence
standard. Simply put, if a
manufacturer’s claim is inconsistent
with the ENERGY STAR benchmarks, it
must possess another competent and
reliable basis to substantiate its claims
and should consider clearly qualifying
its claims to avoid deception. Deceptive
watt-equivalence comparisons are
subject to FTC law enforcement actions
under § 5 of the FTC Act.
from watts to lumens will take time. The
Commission encourages manufacturers
to focus their communication efforts on
lumens to help consumers with their
lighting decisions. Eventually,
consumer education, coupled with the
phase-out of old incandescent bulbs,
will help consumers look to lumens, not
to obsolete watt-equivalence claims to
evaluate bulb brightness.
B. Beam Spread and Directional Light
Disclosure
The Commission is not proposing
requirements for beam spread or
directional light disclosures because the
need for such mandatory disclosures to
help consumers is unclear. In particular,
no consistent definition exists for beam
spread across different bulb types and
the need for mandatory directional light
disclosures is uncertain.
NEMA’s comments opposed a beam
spread disclosure because definitions of
beam spread vary among different bulb
types (e.g., reflector and PAR [parabolic
aluminized reflector] products). In
addition, NEMA asserted that most
residential consumers do not
understand beam spread terminology.
NEMA also indicated that commercial
consumers and lighting designers
generally obtain beam spread
information from manufacturer catalogs,
not from packages, thus suggesting that
beam spread information on label
packages would not be particularly
TABLE 1—ENERGY STAR WATThelpful. No other commenter
EQUIVALENCE BENCHMARKS
specifically addressed this issue. The
Commission does not plan to pursue it
A-shaped incandescent
Typical luminous
further at this time.
bulb
flux (lumens)
NEMA and Cree, Inc. supported a
25 ......................................
250 directional light disclosure, arguing it
40 ......................................
450 would be useful to consumers and use
60 ......................................
800 little space on the package. In particular,
75 ......................................
1,100
NEMA recommended Center Beam
100 ....................................
1,600
125 ....................................
2,000 Candlepower (CBCP) (i.e., brightness at
150 ....................................
2,600 the center of the beam) for the
30–70–100 ........................
1,200 directional disclosure on packaging for
50–100–150 ......................
2,150 reflector lamps, including PARs. Cree,
Inc. added that the label should disclose
Note: Does not apply to globes, reflectors,
or decorative CFLs. Lumens for 3-way lamps beam angle (either a specific angle or a
category such as spot, flood, etc.).
correspond to maximum equivalence shown.
Despite support in the comments, the
In the long run, as more highCommission is not proposing to require
efficiency products appear and older
CBCP disclosures at this time because
incandescent technology leaves the
nothing on the record suggests such
market, watt-equivalence comparisons
information is familiar to typical
will have decreasing relevance to
consumers. Given this, CBCP or
consumers. As equivalence claims
recede, lumens will continue to provide directional disclosure information may
a clear, consistent measurement for light detract from information already on the
label. If manufacturers believe such
output. However, consumer transition
disclosures are important, nothing in
the Rule prohibits them from providing
lumens as the primary indicator of brightness. The
Commission generally does not set environmental
it somewhere on the package (other than
or performance standards, particularly if such
on the Lighting Facts label), as long as
standards will prohibit truthful, non-deceptive
the information is truthful and
claims. See 75 FR 63552, 63596 (Oct. 15, 2010)
(proposed FTC Green Guides revisions).
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C. Lead Content Disclosure
The Commission is not proposing a
lead disclosure on the Lighting Facts
label at this time because there is no
clear basis in the comments
demonstrating that this additional
requirement would assist consumers in
their purchasing decisions. According to
NEMA, manufacturers have removed
most of the lead from regulated products
and any remaining lead is not available
to human touch.
D. Bilingual Label Requirements
The current Rule allows, but does not
require, bilingual labels. In light of the
substantial marketing directed at nonEnglish speakers, the July 2010 Notice
sought comment on whether, when
manufacturers make claims in a foreign
language on a light bulb package, they
should be required to include the
Lighting Facts label in both that
language and English. NEMA, the only
organization to comment on this issue,
opposed such a bilingual labeling
requirement, citing space limitations on
packages and the confusion multiple
languages may cause. The Commission
heard from no organizations or persons
with expertise in issues affecting nonEnglish speaking consumers.
The Commission believes this issue
warrants further consideration. For
nearly 40 years, Commission rules,
guides, and cease-and-desist orders that
mandate the clear and conspicuous
disclosure of information in
advertisements and sales material have
required that such information be
displayed in the language of the target
audience (ordinarily, the language
principally used in the advertisement or
sales material in question).27 Before
adopting an alternative approach in the
context of light bulb packaging, the
Commission will continue to consider
this issue and seeks additional
information from a wider group of
stakeholders. As part of that process, the
Commission requests further comment
on whether non-English claims on light
bulb packages should trigger mandatory
bilingual labels or other disclosures, and
specifically asks commenters to address
the following questions:
27 16 CFR 14.9 (see 38 FR 21494 (Aug. 4, 1973));
see also 16 CFR 610.4(a)(3)(ii) (mandatory
disclosures about free credit reports must be made
in same language as that principally used in the
advertisement); 16 CFR 308.3(a)(1) (mandatory
disclosures about pay-per-call services must be
made in same language as that principally used in
advertisement); 16 CFR 455.5 (where used car sale
conducted in Spanish, mandatory disclosures must
be made in Spanish); 16 CFR 429.1(a) (in door-todoor sales, failure to furnish completed receipt or
contract in same language as oral sales presentation
is an unfair and deceptive act or practice).
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1. How prevalent today are nonEnglish claims on light bulb packages?
What are the languages being used?
What types of information is typically
conveyed through such non-English
claims?
2. Do any light bulb packages
currently include non-English
information without displaying a
bilingual version of the required FTC
label? If so, please address whether, in
such circumstances, the English label
sufficiently conveys lighting
information to non-English speaking
consumers given the label’s emphasis
on numerical information. If so, why? If
not, why not?
3. Would a bilingual label
requirement triggered by non-English
claims on packages discourage
manufacturers from including nonEnglish information on their packages?
If so why, and what could be done to
ameliorate that effect? If not, why not?
4. Could a bilingual label fit on all
light bulb packages? If so, why? If not,
why not? If the bilingual label could fit
some but not all package sizes, how big
would the package have to be to
reasonably carry a bilingual label?
Should a triggered disclosure depend on
the size of the label?
5. Finally, the Commission seeks
input on any other measures it should
consider to help non-English speaking
consumers obtain the information
provided on the Lighting Facts Label
concerning estimated annual energy
cost, brightness, light appearance, life
energy use, and the presence of
mercury.
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E. Fossil Fuel Lamps
The Commission is not proposing to
require fossil fuel lamp labels (e.g.,
natural gas lights, propane lights, and
kerosene lamps) at this time because
there is no clear basis in the record to
indicate the Lighting Facts label would
be appropriate for these products and
thus help consumers in their purchasing
decisions. In earlier comments, the
Edison Electric Institute urged labeling
for fossil fuel lamps noting their high
energy costs.28 However, fossil fuel
lamps are significantly different from
electric lamps in factors such as fuel
type and use. For example, the usage
and cost assumptions applicable to
electric light bulbs may not apply to
fossil fuel lamps. NEMA, which
provided the only comments on this
issue, noted that consumers use fossil
fuel lamps for different applications
than other lamps. NEMA also stated that
28 See
75 FR at 41698, n.16.
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consumers do not expect fossil fuel
lamps to be energy efficient.
F. Power Factor
The Commission is not proposing to
include power factor on the Lighting
Facts label because, according to the
comments, power factor does not affect
a consumer’s energy costs and few
consumers are likely to understand the
term.29
IV. Minor, Clarifying Changes
The Commission also proposes to
clarify the Rule language for labeling
bulbs that operate at multiple, separate
light levels (e.g., ‘‘3-way’’ bulbs) to
clarify that such language applies to all
covered bulb technologies. Currently,
the Rule’s language addressing such
bulbs applies only to incandescent
bulbs.
V. Request for Comment
The Commission invites interested
persons to submit written comments on
any issue of fact, law, or policy that may
bear upon the proposals under
consideration. Please include
explanations for any answers provided,
as well as supporting evidence where
appropriate. After examining the
comments, the Commission will
determine whether to issue specific
amendments.
You can file a comment online or on
paper. For the Commission to consider
your comment, we must receive it on or
before September 22, 2011. Write
‘‘Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on
Expanded Bulb Coverage for the
Lighting Facts Label (16 CFR part 305)
(Project No. P084206)’’ on your
comment. Your comment—including
your name and your state—will be
placed on the public record of this
proceeding, including, to the extent
practicable, on the public Commission
Web site, at https://www.ftc.gov/os/
publiccomments.shtm. As a matter of
discretion, the Commission tries to
remove individuals’ home contact
information from comments before
placing them on the Commission
Website.
Because your comment will be made
public, you are solely responsible for
making sure that your comment does
not include any sensitive personal
information, like anyone’s Social
Security number, date of birth, driver’s
license number or other state
identification number or foreign country
equivalent, passport number, financial
NEMA, Cree, Inc., and CEE. Power factor,
which is expressed as a number between 0 and 1,
is a measure of the efficiency with which a device
uses the power made available to it from the electric
grid.
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Frm 00011
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account number, or credit or debit card
number. You are also solely responsible
for making sure that your comment does
not include any sensitive health
information, like medical records or
other individually identifiable health
information. In addition, do not include
any ‘‘[t]rade secret or any commercial or
financial information which is obtained
from any person and which is privileged
or confidential,’’ as provided in Section
6(f) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 46(f), and
FTC Rule 4.10(a)(2), 16 CFR 4.10(a)(2).
If you want the Commission to give your
comment confidential treatment, you
must file it in paper form, with a request
for confidential treatment, and you have
to follow the procedure explained in
FTC Rule 4.9(c), 16 CFR 4.9(c).30 Your
comment will be kept confidential only
if the FTC General Counsel, in his or her
sole discretion, grants your request in
accordance with the law and the public
interest.
Postal mail addressed to the
Commission is subject to delay due to
heightened security screening. As a
result, we encourage you to submit your
comments online, or to send them to the
Commission by courier or overnight
service. To make sure that the
Commission considers your online
comment, you must file it at https://
ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/
lampcoveragenprm, by following the
instructions on the web-based form. If
this Notice appears at https://
www.regulations.gov/#!home, you also
may file a comment through that
website.
If you file your comment on paper,
write ‘‘Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
on Expanded Bulb Coverage for the
Lighting Facts Label (16 CFR part 305)
(Project No. P084206)’’ on your
comment and on the envelope, and mail
or deliver it to the following address:
Federal Trade Commission, Office of the
Secretary, Room H–113 (Annex Y), 600
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20580. If possible,
submit your paper comment to the
Commission by courier or overnight
service.
Visit the Commission Web site at
https://www.ftc.gov to read this Notice
and the news release describing it. The
FTC Act and other laws that the
Commission administers permit the
collection of public comments to
consider and use in this proceeding as
appropriate. The Commission will
consider all timely and responsive
30 In particular, the written request for
confidential treatment that accompanies the
comment must include the factual and legal basis
for the request, and must identify the specific
portions of the comment to be withheld from the
public record. See FTC Rule 4.9(c), 16 CFR 4.9(c).
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public comments that it receives on or
before September 22, 2011. You can find
more information, including routine
uses permitted by the Privacy Act, in
the Commission’s privacy policy, at
https://www.ftc.gov/ftc/privacy.htm.
Because written comments appear
adequate to present the views of all
interested parties, the Commission has
not scheduled an oral hearing regarding
these proposed amendments. Interested
parties may request an opportunity to
present views orally. If such a request is
made, the Commission will publish a
document in the Federal Register
stating the time and place for such oral
presentation(s) and describing the
procedures that will be followed.
Interested parties who wish to present
oral views must submit a hearing
request, on or before September 22,
2011, in the form of a written comment
that describes the issues on which the
party wishes to speak. If there is no oral
hearing, the Commission will base its
decision on the written rulemaking
record.
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS
VI. Paperwork Reduction Act
The current Rule contains
recordkeeping, disclosure, and testing
requirements that constitute a
‘‘collection of information’’ as defined
by 5 CFR 1320.3(c), the definitions
provision within OMB regulations that
implement the Paperwork Reduction
Act (PRA).31 OMB has approved the
Rule’s existing information collection
requirements through January 31, 2014
(OMB Control No. 3084–0069). The
amendments make changes in the Rule’s
labeling requirements. Accordingly, the
Commission has submitted this notice
of proposed rulemaking and associated
Supporting Statement to OMB for
review under the PRA.32
Package and Product Labeling: The
proposed amendments require
manufacturers to label several new bulb
types. Accordingly, manufacturers will
have to amend their package and
product labeling to include new
disclosures. The new requirements
impose a one-time adjustment for
manufacturers. The Commission
estimates that there are 50
manufacturers making approximately
3,000 of these newly covered products.
This adjustment will require an
estimated 600 hours per manufacturer
31 44
U.S.C. 3501–3521.
PRA analysis for this rulemaking focuses
strictly on the information collection requirements
created by and/or otherwise affected by the
amendments. Unaffected information collection
provisions, specifically those regarding
recordkeeping and reporting requirements, have
previously been accounted for in past FTC analyses
under the Rule and are covered by the current PRA
clearance from OMB.
32 The
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on average.33 Annualized for a single
year reflective of a prospective 3-year
PRA clearance, this averages to 200
hours per year. Thus, the label design
change will result in cumulative burden
of 10,000 hours (50 manufacturers × 200
hours). In estimating the associated
labor cost, the Commission assumes that
the label design change will be
implemented by graphic designers at an
hourly wage rate of $23.44 per hour
based on Bureau of Labor Statistics
information.34 Thus, the Commission
estimates annual labor cost for this
adjustment will total $234,400 (10,000
hours × $23.44 per hour).
The Commission estimates that the
annualized capital cost of expanding the
light bulb label coverage is $1,535,000.
This estimate is based on the
assumptions that manufacturers will
have to change 3,000 model packages
over a three-year period to meet the new
requirements 35 and that package label
changes for each product will cost
$1,335.36 Manufacturers place
information on products in the normal
course of business. Annualized in the
context of a 3-year PRA clearance, these
non-labor costs would average
$1,335,000 (3,000 model packages ×
$1,335 each ÷ 3 years). As for product
labeling, the Commission assumes that
the one-time labeling change will cost
$200 per model for an annualized
estimated total of $200,000 (3,000
models × $200 ÷ 3 years). Annualized in
the context of a 3-year PRA clearance,
these non-labor costs would average
$1,535,000.
Catalog Sellers: The proposed
amendments will also require catalog
sellers (e.g., website and print catalog
sellers) to make required disclosures for
these products pursuant to 16 CFR
305.20. The Commission estimates that
there are approximately 150 entities
subject to the amended requirements.
The Commission estimates that these
sellers each require approximately
33 The Commission has increased its estimate of
the hours required to make this change from earlier
estimates given recent concerns raised about the
burden of implementing label changes. See 75 FR
81943 (Dec. 29, 2010).
34 See U.S. Department of Labor, National
Compensation Survey: Occupational Earnings in
the United States 2009 (June 2010), Bulletin 2738,
Table 3 (‘‘Full-time civilian workers,’’ mean and
median hourly wages), https://www.bls.gov/ncs/
ncswage2009.htm, at 3-12.
35 This assumes that manufacturers will change
packages for one third of their products in the
normal course of business over the compliance
period (i.e., 21⁄2). The two and a half year
compliance period and the notice provided by this
proceeding should minimize the likelihood that
manufacturers will have to discard package
inventory. In addition, manufacturers may use
stickers in lieu of discarding inventory.
36 See 75 FR at 41712 n. 149 and accompanying
text.
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17 hours per year to incorporate the data
into their catalogs. This estimate is
based on the assumption that entry of
the required information takes on
average one minute per covered product
and an assumption that the average
online catalog contains approximately
1,000 covered products. Given that there
is great variety among sellers in the
volume of products that they offer
online, it is very difficult to estimate
such numbers with precision. In
addition, this analysis assumes that
information for all 1,000 products is
entered into the catalog each year. This
is a conservative assumption because
the number of incremental additions to
the catalog from year to year is likely to
be much lower after initial start-up
efforts have been completed. Thus, the
total annual disclosure burden for all
catalog sellers of light bulbs covered by
the proposed Rule is 2,550 hours (150
sellers × 17 hours annually). In
estimating the associated labor cost, the
Commission assumes that the label
design change will be implemented by
graphic designers at an hourly wage rate
of $23.44 per hour.37 Thus, estimated
labor cost for this adjustment is $59,772
(2,550 hours × $23.44 per hour).
Testing: The Commission assumes
conservatively that manufacturers will
have to test 3,000 basic models at
14 hours for each model for a total of
42,000 hours.38 In calculating the
associated labor cost estimate, the
Commission assumes that this work will
be implemented by electrical engineers
at an hourly wage rate of $39.72 per
hour.39 Thus, the Commission estimates
that the new label design change will
result in associated labor costs of
approximately $1,668,240 (42,000 hours
× $39.72 per hour). The Commission
does not expect that the final
amendments will create any capital or
other non-labor costs for such testing.
Accordingly, the revised estimated
total hour burden of the amendments is
54,550 hours (10,000 hours for
packaging and labeling + 2,550 hours for
catalog compliance + 42,000 hours for
additional testing for correlated color
temperature) with associated labor costs
of $1,962,412 and annualized capital or
other non-labor costs totaling
$1,535,000.
37 See
supra note 34.
Commission also assumes conservatively
that manufacturers will conduct new testing for
3,000 out of the 6,000 estimated covered products.
The Commission does not expect the specific LED
testing requirements will increase burden because
existing burden estimates account for testing of
products already covered by the Rule. See 75 FR
81943 (Dec. 29, 2010).
39 Supra note 34.
38 The
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emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS
Comments on any proposed labeling
requirements subject to review under
the Paperwork Reduction Act should
additionally be submitted to OMB. If
sent by U.S. mail, they should be
addressed to Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget, Attention:
Desk Officer for the Federal Trade
Commission, New Executive Office
Building, Docket Library, Room 10102,
725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC
20503. Comments sent to OMB by U.S.
postal mail, however, are subject to
delays due to heightened security
precautions. Thus, comments instead
should be sent by facsimile to (202)
395–5167.
VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),
5 U.S.C. 601–612, requires that the
Commission provide an Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA)
with a proposed rule and a Final
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA),
if any, with the final rule, unless the
Commission certifies that the rule will
not have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small
entities. See 5 U.S.C. 603–605.
The Commission does not anticipate
that the proposed rule will have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
The Commission recognizes that some
of the affected manufacturers may
qualify as small businesses under the
relevant thresholds. However, the
Commission does not expect that the
economic impact of the proposed
amendments will be significant.
In its July 19, 2010 Notice (75 FR
41711), the Commission estimated that
the new labeling requirements will
apply to about 50 product
manufacturers and an additional 150
online and paper catalog sellers of
covered products. The Commission
expects that approximately 150 qualify
as small businesses.
Accordingly, this document serves as
notice to the Small Business
Administration of the FTC’s
certification of no effect. To ensure the
accuracy of this certification, however,
the Commission requests comment on
whether the proposed rule will have a
significant impact on a substantial
number of small entities, including
specific information on the number of
entities that would be covered by the
proposed rule, the number of these
companies that are ‘‘small entities,’’ and
the average annual burden for each
entity. Although the Commission
certifies under the RFA that the rule
proposed in this notice would not, if
promulgated, have a significant impact
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on a substantial number of small
entities, the Commission has
determined, nonetheless, that it is
appropriate to publish an IRFA in order
to inquire into the impact of the
proposed rule on small entities.
Therefore, the Commission has prepared
the following analysis:
A. Description of the Reasons That
Action by the Agency Is Being Taken
Section 321(b) of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007
(Pub. L. 110–140) requires the
Commission to consider reopening light
bulb labeling requirements in 2011. The
Commission is proposing expanded
product coverage and additional testing
requirements to help consumers in their
purchasing decisions for high efficiency
products.
B. Statement of the Objectives of, and
Legal Basis for, the Proposed Rule
The objective of the rule is to improve
the effectiveness of the current lamp
labeling program. Section 321(b) of the
Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007 (Pub. L. 110–140) requires the
Commission consider reopening light
bulb labeling requirements in 2011 to
consider whether alternative labeling
approaches would help consumers
better understand new high-efficiency
lamp products and help them choose
lamps that meet their needs.
C. Small Entities to Which the Proposed
Rule Will Apply
Under the Small Business Size
Standards issued by the Small Business
Administration, lamp manufacturers
qualify as small businesses if they have
fewer than 1,000 employees (for other
household appliances the figure is 500
employees). Lamp catalog sellers qualify
as small businesses if their sales are less
than $8.0 million annually. The
Commission estimates that there are
approximately 150 entities subject to the
proposed rule’s requirements that
qualify as small businesses.40 The
Commission seeks comment and
information with regard to the estimated
number or nature of small business
entities for which the proposed rule
would have a significant economic
impact.
D. Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping
and Other Compliance Requirements
The changes under consideration
would not increase any reporting or
recordkeeping requirements associated
with the Commission’s labeling rules
(75 FR 41696). The amendments will
increase compliance burdens by
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75 FR at 41712.
Frm 00013
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
extending the labeling requirements to
new types of light bulbs. The
Commission assumes that the label
design change will be implemented by
graphic designers.
E. Duplicative, Overlapping, or
Conflicting Federal Rules
The Commission has not identified
any other federal statutes, rules, or
policies that would duplicate, overlap,
or conflict with the proposed rule. The
Commission invites comment and
information on this issue.
F. Significant Alternatives to the
Proposed Rule
The Commission seeks comment and
information on the need, if any, for
alternative compliance methods that,
consistent with the statutory
requirements, would reduce the
economic impact of the rule on small
entities. For example, in proposing to
extend the bulb coverage, the
Commission is currently unaware of the
need to adopt any special provision for
small entities to be able to take
advantage of the proposed extension or
exemption, where applicable. However,
if such issues are identified, the
Commission could consider alternative
approaches such as extending the
effective date of these amendments for
catalog sellers to allow them additional
time to comply beyond the labeling
deadline set for manufacturers.
Nonetheless, if the comments filed in
response to this notice identify small
entities that are affected by the rule, as
well as alternative methods of
compliance that would reduce the
economic impact of the rule on such
entities, the Commission will consider
the feasibility of such alternatives and
determine whether they should be
incorporated into the final rule.
VIII. Communications by Outside
Parties to the Commissioners or Their
Advisors
Written communications and
summaries or transcripts of oral
communications respecting the merits
of this proceeding, from any outside
party to any Commissioner or
Commissioner’s advisor, will be placed
on the public record. See 16 CFR
1.26(b)(5).
IX. Proposed Rule
List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 305
Advertising, Energy conservation,
Household appliances, Labeling,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
For the reasons discussed above, the
Commission proposes to amend part
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 147 / Monday, August 1, 2011 / Proposed Rules
305 of title 16, Code of Federal
Regulations, as follows:
PART 305—RULE CONCERNING
DISCLOSURES REGARDING ENERGY
CONSUMPTION AND WATER USE OF
CERTAIN HOME APPLIANCES AND
OTHER PRODUCTS REQUIRED
UNDER THE ENERGY POLICY AND
CONSERVATION ACT (‘‘APPLIANCE
LABELING RULE’’)
1. The authority citation for part 305
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6294.
2. In § 305.3, revise paragraphs (l),
(m), (n), (o), (p) and (q) to read as
follows:
§ 305.3
Description of covered products.
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*
*
*
*
*
(l) General service lamp means:
(1) A lamp that is a consumer product
and is:
(i) A compact fluorescent lamp;
(ii) A general service incandescent
lamp;
(iii) A general service light-emitting
diode (LED or OLED) lamp; or
(iv) Any other lamp that the Secretary
of Energy determines is used to satisfy
lighting applications traditionally
served by general service incandescent
lamps.
(2) Exclusions. The term general
service lamp does not include—
(i) Any lighting application or bulb
shape described in paragraphs
(n)(2)(ii)(A) through (Q) of this section;
and
(ii) Any general service fluorescent
lamp.
(m) Compact fluorescent lamp means
an integrally ballasted fluorescent lamp
with a screw, GU–10 pin, or GU–24 pin
base, and a rated input voltage range of
115 to 130 volts; however, the term does
not include any lamp that is specifically
designed to be used for special purpose
applications described in paragraphs
(n)(2)(ii)(A) through (Q) of this section.
(n) Incandescent lamp:
(1) Means a lamp in which light is
produced by a filament heated to
incandescence by an electric current,
including only the following:
(i) Any lamp (commonly referred to as
lower wattage nonreflector general
service lamps, including any tungstenhalogen lamp) that has a rated wattage
up to 199 watts, has an screw base, has
a rated voltage or voltage range that lies
at least partially within 115 and 130
volts, and is not a reflector lamp;
(ii) Any lamp (commonly referred to
as a reflector lamp) which is not colored
or designed for rough or vibration
service applications, that contains an
inner reflective coating on the outer
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bulb to direct the light, an R, PAR, ER,
BR, BPAR, or similar bulb shapes with
screw bases and a rated voltage or
voltage range that lies at least partially
within 115 and 130 volts;
(iii) Any general service incandescent
lamp (commonly referred to as a high or
higher-wattage lamp) that has a rated
wattage above 199 watts (above 205
watts for a high wattage reflector lamp);
(2) General service incandescent lamp
means
(i) In general, a standard
incandescent, halogen, or reflector type
lamp that—
(A) Is intended for general service
applications;
(B) Has a screw base;
(C) Has a lumen range of not more
than 2,600 lumens; and
(D) Is capable of being operated at a
voltage range at least partially within
110 and 130 volts.
(ii) Exclusions. The term ‘‘general
service incandescent lamp’’ does not
include the following incandescent
lamps:
(A) An appliance lamp as defined at
42 U.S.C. 6291(30);
(B) A black light lamp;
(C) A bug lamp;
(D) A colored lamp as defined at 42
U.S.C. 6291(30);
(E) An infrared lamp;
(F) A left-hand thread lamp;
(G) A marine lamp;
(H) A marine signal service lamp;
(I) A mine service lamp;
(J) A plant light lamp;
(K) A rough service lamp as defined
at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30);
(L) A shatter-resistant lamp (including
a shatter-proof lamp and a
shatterprotected lamp);
(M) A sign service lamp;
(N) A silver bowl lamp;
(O) A showcase lamp;
(P) A traffic signal lamp; or
(Q) A vibration service lamp as
defined at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30);
(3) Incandescent reflector lamp means
a lamp described in paragraph (n)(1)(ii)
of this section; and
(4) Tungsten-halogen lamp means a
gas-filled tungsten filament
incandescent lamp containing a certain
proportion of halogens in an inert gas.
(o) Light-emitting diode (LED) means
a p-n junction solid state device the
radiated output of which is a function
of the physical construction, material
used, and exciting current of the device.
The output of a light-emitting diode
may be in—
(1) The infrared region;
(2) The visible region; or
(3) The ultraviolet region.
(p) Organic light-emitting diode
(OLED) means a thin-film light-emitting
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
45723
device that typically consists of a series
of organic layers between 2 electrical
contacts (electrodes).
(q) General service light-emitting
diode (LED or OLED) lamp means any
light-emitting diode (LED or OLED)
lamp that:
(1) Is intended for general service
applications;
(2) Has a screw base;
(3) Has a lumen range of not more
than 2,600 lumens; and
(4) Is capable of being operated at a
voltage range at least partially within
110 and 130 volts.
*
*
*
*
*
3. In § 305.5, paragraphs (b), (c), and
(d) are redesignated as paragraphs (c),
(d), and (e), add a new paragraph (b),
and revise the newly designated
paragraph (c) to read as follows:
§ 305.5 Determinations of estimated
annual energy consumption, estimated
annual operating cost, and energy
efficiency rating, and of water use rate.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Manufacturers and private labelers
of any covered product that is a general
service light- emitting diode lamp must
determine the product’s light output
and correlated color temperature using
‘‘IES LM–79–08, Electrical and
Photometric Measurements of SolidState Lighting Products.’’ This
procedure is incorporated by reference
into this section. The Director of the
Federal Register approved these
incorporations by reference in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1
CFR part 51. Copies of the test
procedure may be inspected or obtained
at the Federal Trade Commission,
Consumer Response Center, Room 130,
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20580; at the National
Archives and Records Administration
(NARA) by calling (202) 741–6030 or
going to https://www.archives.gov/
federal_register/
code_of_federal_regulations/
ibr_locations.html; or from the
Illuminating Engineering Society at
www.iesna.org.
(c) Unless otherwise provided in
paragraph (a) or (b) of this section or
§ 305.8, manufacturers and private
labelers of any covered product that is
a general service fluorescent lamp,
general service lamp, or metal halide
lamp fixture, must, for any
representation required by this Part
including but not limited to of the
design voltage, wattage, energy cost,
light output, life, correlated color
temperature, or color rendering index of
such lamp or for any representation
made by the encircled ‘‘E’’ that such a
lamp is in compliance with an
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45724
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 147 / Monday, August 1, 2011 / Proposed Rules
applicable standard established by
section 325 of the Act, possess and rely
upon a reasonable basis consisting of
competent and reliable scientific tests
substantiating the representation. For
representations of the light output and
life ratings of any covered product that
is a general service lamp, unless
otherwise provided by paragraph (a), the
Commission will accept as a reasonable
basis scientific tests conducted
according to the following applicable
IES test protocols that substantiate the
representations:
For measuring light output (in lumens):
General Service Fluorescent ................................................................................................................................................................
Compact Fluorescent ............................................................................................................................................................................
General Service Incandescent (Other than Reflector Lamps) .............................................................................................................
General Service Incandescent (Reflector Lamps) ................................................................................................................................
For measuring laboratory life (in hours):
General Service Fluorescent .........................................................................................................................................................
Compact Fluorescent .....................................................................................................................................................................
General Service Incandescent (Other than Reflector Lamps) ......................................................................................................
General Service Incandescent (Reflector Lamps) .........................................................................................................................
4. In § 305.15(d)(4) is revised to read
as follows:
§ 305.15
Labeling for lighting products.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(4) For any covered product that is a
general service lamp and operates at
discrete, multiple light levels (e.g., 800,
1600, and 2500 lumens), the light
output, energy cost, and wattage
disclosures required by this section
must be provided at each of the lamp’s
levels of light output and the lamp’s life
provided on the basis of the shortest
lived operating mode. The multiple
numbers shall be separated by a ‘‘/’’
(e.g., 800/1600/2500 lumens) if they
appear on the same line on the label.
*
*
*
*
*
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011–19041 Filed 7–29–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750–01–P
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING
COMMISSION
17 CFR Parts 1 and 23
RIN 3038–AD51
Clearing Member Risk Management
Commodity Futures Trading
Commission.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
The Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (Commission or
CFTC) is proposing rules to implement
new statutory provisions enacted by
Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
These proposed rules address risk
management for cleared trades by
futures commission merchants, swap
dealers, and major swap participants
that are clearing members.
emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
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16:33 Jul 29, 2011
Jkt 223001
Submit comments on or before
September 30, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by RIN number 3038–AD51,
by any of the following methods:
• Agency Web site, via its Comments
Online process: https://
comments.cftc.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments
through the Web site.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: David A. Stawick, Secretary of
the Commission, Commodity Futures
Trading Commission, Three Lafayette
Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20581.
• Courier: Same as mail above.
Please submit your comments using
only one method. RIN number, 3038–
AD51, must be in the subject field of
responses submitted via e-mail, and
clearly indicated on written
submissions. All comments must be
submitted in English, or if not,
accompanied by an English translation.
Comments will be posted as received to
https://www.cftc.gov. You should submit
only information that you wish to make
available publicly. If you wish the CFTC
to consider information that you believe
is exempt from disclosure under the
Freedom of Information Act, a petition
for confidential treatment of the exempt
information may be submitted according
to the procedures established in § 145.9
of the CFTC’s regulations.1
The CFTC reserves the right, but shall
have no obligation, to review, prescreen, filter, redact, refuse or remove
any or all of your submission from
https://www.cftc.gov that it may deem to
be inappropriate for publication, such as
obscene language. All submissions that
have been redacted or removed that
contain comments on the merits of this
action will be retained in the public
DATES:
PO 00000
1 17
CFR 145.9.
Frm 00015
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
IES
IES
IES
IES
LM
LM
LM
LM
9.
66.
45.
20.
IES
IES
IES
IES
LM
LM
LM
LM
40.
65.
49.
49.
comment file and will be considered as
required under the Administrative
Procedure Act and other applicable
laws, and may be accessible under the
Freedom of Information Act.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
C. Lawton, Deputy Director and Chief
Counsel, 202–418–5480,
jlawton@cftc.gov, or Christopher A.
Hower, Attorney-Advisor, 202–418–
6703, chower@cftc.gov, Division of
Clearing and Intermediary Oversight,
Commodity Futures Trading
Commission, Three Lafayette Centre,
1155 21st Street, NW., Washington, DC
20581.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On July 21, 2010, President Obama
signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act
(Dodd-Frank Act).2 Title VII of the
Dodd-Frank Act amended the
Commodity Exchange Act (CEA or Act) 3
to establish a comprehensive new
regulatory framework for swaps. The
legislation was enacted to reduce risk,
increase transparency, and promote
market integrity within the financial
system by, among other things: (1)
Providing for the registration and
comprehensive regulation of swap
dealers and major swap participants; (2)
imposing clearing and trade execution
requirements on standardized derivative
products; (3) creating rigorous
recordkeeping and real-time reporting
regimes; and (4) enhancing the
Commission’s rulemaking and
enforcement authorities with respect to,
among others, all registered entities and
intermediaries subject to the
Commission’s oversight. Title VII also
includes amendments to the federal
securities laws to establish a similar
2 See Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act, Pub. L. 111–203, 124
Stat. 1376 (2010).
3 7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.
E:\FR\FM\01AUP1.SGM
01AUP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 147 (Monday, August 1, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45715-45724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19041]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 305
[RIN 3084-AB03]
Appliance Labeling Rule
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Commission proposes to expand coverage of the Lighting
Facts label to include all screw-based and GU-10 and GU-24 pin-based
light bulbs. Under this proposal, manufacturers would have 2\1/2\ years
to conform their products and packaging to the labeling requirements.
The Commission also proposes to require a specific test procedure (LM-
79) for measuring light output for all light emitting diode (LED) bulbs
covered by the Rule. Finally, the Commission is not proposing
amendments for several other issues such as watt-equivalent standards,
directional light disclosures, and lead content disclosures.
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 22,
2011.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may file a comment online or on paper, by
following the instructions in the Request for Comment part of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. Write ``Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking on Expanded Bulb Coverage for the Lighting Facts Label (16
CFR part 305) (Project No. P084206)'' on your comment, and file your
comment online at https://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/lampcoveragenprm, by following the
[[Page 45716]]
instructions on the web-based form. If you prefer to file your comment
on paper, mail or deliver your comment to the following address:
Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room H-113 (Annex
Y), 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20580.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hampton Newsome, Attorney, Division of
Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission,
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-2889.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On July 19, 2010 (75 FR 41696), the Commission published new light
bulb \1\ labeling requirements and sought comments on several
unresolved issues related to those requirements.\2\ The new
requirements, which amend the Appliance Labeling Rule, 16 CFR part 305
(``Rule''), feature a ``Lighting Facts'' label that discloses
information about the bulb's brightness, annual energy cost, life,
color appearance, and energy use.\3\ The Commission also sought
additional comment on the following unresolved issues: the label's
product coverage, light-emitting diode (LED) test procedures, watt-
equivalence claims, beam spread and directional light disclosures, lead
content disclosures, bilingual labels, fossil fuel lamp labels, and
power factor disclosures. The Commission sought comment on these issues
in response to the Congressional directive to consider reopening the
labeling rulemaking in 2011 if the Commission determines that further
labeling changes are necessary.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This document uses the terms lamp, light bulb, and bulb
interchangeably.
\2\ The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA)
directed the Commission to examine existing light bulb labeling
requirements. Public Law 110-140. EISA amended the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (EPCA) (42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.).
\3\ The requirements also direct manufacturers to print lumen
information and, where appropriate, a mercury disclosure on the
products themselves.
\4\ 42 U.S.C. 6294(a)(2)(D)(iii)(II)(bb).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Proposed Amendments
Consistent with Congress' directive, the Commission is now
reopening the light bulb labeling rulemaking to seek comments on
proposed amendments to the Rule. Specifically, the Commission proposes
to expand label coverage to additional styles of bulbs and to require a
specific test procedure requirement for LED bulb labels. The comments
received in response to the July 2010 Notice suggest that these changes
will help consumers with their purchasing decisions.\5\ As discussed in
section III, the Commission is not proposing amendments related to any
other issues raised in the July 2010 Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See https://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/lamplabelingfinal/index.shtm. Unless otherwise stated, comments discussed in this
document refer to the following: Anderson ( 549189-00015);
Alliance to Save Energy (including American Council for an Energy-
Efficient Economy, Appliance Standards Awareness Project, Consumer
Federation of America, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Northeast
Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Northwest Power and Conservation
Council, and Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance) (
549189-00018); Bell ( 549189-00003); CEE ( 549189-
00019); Cree, Inc. ( 549189-00022); Fountain (
549189-00016); Fritz ( 549189-00008); Grosslight (
549189-00011); Krause ( 549189-00010); Meirowsky (
549189-00004) ( 549189-00005); Moratti ( 549189-
00009); Naim ( 549189-00014); Natural Resources Defense
Council ( 549189-00013) ( 549189-00020); National
Electrical Manufacturers Association ( 549189-00021); OSRAM
SYLVANIA ( 549189-00017); Puckett ( 549189-00002);
and St. Peter ( 549189-00012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Expanded Light Bulb Label Coverage
The Commission proposes to expand label coverage beyond medium
screw-based products \6\ to include all screw-based bulbs and GU-10 and
GU-24 pin-based bulbs because expanded coverage will provide consumers
uniform information, such as energy cost, brightness, and bulb life, to
help them with their lighting decisions.\7\ In imposing these
requirements, the Commission plans to give manufacturers at least two
and a half years to change their packaging to incorporate the new
labels. As explained below, the Commission also seeks comment on the
Rule's existing exclusions for specialty bulbs (e.g., bug, marine, and
mine service lamps) and requiring the Lighting Facts labels for general
service fluorescent lamp packages.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ Currently, the new label covers all general service lamps
(i.e., medium screw-based incandescent, compact fluorescent [CFL],
and LED products).
\7\ The Commission proposes this expanded coverage pursuant to
42 U.S.C. 6294(a)(6) of EPCA, which gives the Commission authority
to require disclosures for consumer products ``not specified'' under
existing labeling requirements if the Commission ``determines that
labeling for the product is likely to assist consumers in making
purchasing decisions.'' EPCA defines ``consumer product'' as any
article (other than an automobile) which ``in operation consumes, or
is designed to consume energy'' and ``which, to any significant
extent is distributed in commerce for personal use or consumption by
an individual.'' 42 U.S.C. 6291(1). The Commission recently relied
on this authority in requiring labels for LED bulbs, reflector
lamps, and three-way lamps. 75 FR 41696, 41698 (Jul. 19, 2010).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In response to the July 2010 Notice, several energy efficiency
groups recommended, while industry members opposed, expanding coverage
to include all screw-based models, including intermediate and
candelabra based models, and GU-10 and GU-24 pin-based models. The
energy efficiency groups argued that such expanded label coverage would
help consumers choose among bulbs with varying light output, energy
efficiency, and other factors.
Specifically, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) argued
that the new label should appear on packages for all screw-based models
to ensure that the same information, in the form of the new label,
appears on most light bulbs. In its view, the label's consistent
disclosures for energy cost, brightness, life, color temperature, and
watts will help consumers choose products with the characteristics they
seek. According to the NRDC, consumers need the same basic light bulb
information regardless of the product's shape (e.g., pear, globe,
flame, or spiral), base (e.g., small, medium, or large diameter), or
technology (e.g., incandescent, halogen, LED, CFL, etc.).\8\ Although
medium screw bases are the most common type of consumer lamp, NRDC
identified a wide variety of lamps which use candelabra and
intermediate bases. During informal visits to retail stores, NRDC
observed that these bulbs can range from 2 watts to 100 watts, fit many
different applications including chandeliers, night lights, ceiling
fans, and halogen fixtures, and use traditional incandescent, halogen,
CFL, or LED technology.\9\ NRDC also identified wide differences in the
light output among these products, arguing that labeling them would
ensure a level playing field for industry. Finally, NRDC noted that
packages for these products generally have room for the new FTC label.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ The Alliance to Save Energy also argued that no reason
exists to exclude some screw-based bulbs from the label and not
others. In its view, such inconsistency adds to consumer confusion
when purchasing lighting products.
\9\ NRDC included several examples of night lights, candelabra
bulbs, and chandelier bulbs. In one instance, it observed two
nearly-identical 60W flame shaped lamps being sold next to each, one
with a conventional medium screw base, the other with a smaller,
candelabra base.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) also urged labeling for
candelabra-based bulbs but added a recommendation for pin-based (GU-24
and GU-10) lamps. In its view, expanding labeling coverage to
additional styles of bulbs will better inform consumers about relative
product performance and avoid confusion that could be caused by
requiring the Lighting Facts label for some products but not others.
CEE explained that, because these products can vary significantly in
light output, energy use, and other characteristics, the label will be
helpful to consumers. For example, current incandescent
[[Page 45717]]
candelabra-based bulbs generally draw 25-60 watts per lamp and thus
have a broad range of energy costs. These products also occupy a
significant market share, according to CEE estimates, with candelabra-
based products comprising roughly 9% of bulbs sold. Similarly, pin-
based CFLs, which also appear in various wattages, comprise roughly 8%
of the CFLs in the U.S. in 2008 (approximately 28.3 million lamps)
according to CEE estimates.\10\ CEE observed that candelabra and pin-
based lamps appear in varied light outputs, lifetimes, and color
temperatures, suggesting such label information will help consumer
purchasing decisions.\11\ Finally, CEE recommended that the FTC
minimize the burden of expanded label coverage by providing
manufacturers with more time to incorporate changes into their normal
production and design schedules.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ The Commission recently declined to require the new label
for 75-watt incandescent bulbs, which represent about \1/5\ of the
incandescent market. 76 FR 20233 (Apr. 12, 2011). However, unlike
pin-based CFLs, 75-watt incandescent bulbs will be phased out by
2013 efficiency standards.
\11\ For example, according to CEE, ENERGY STAR-qualified GU-24
products demonstrate light output ranges from 547-2703 lumens, power
draw from 9-42 watts, lifetime from 8,000-12,000 hours, and color
temperature from 2700-6500 Kelvin.
\12\ CEE's suggestion is consistent with concerns recently
raised by industry members about the effective date for labels on
medium screw base bulbs. See 75 FR 81943 (Dec. 29, 2010) (NEMA
petition to extend effective date for implementation of the Lighting
Facts label).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In contrast, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association
(NEMA) opposed expanded label coverage. NEMA explained that because
intermediate and candelabra-based bulbs use less energy than medium
screw base bulbs on a daily basis and appear only in a few household
locations such as bathrooms, dining rooms, and some outdoor lighting
decorative fixtures, they do not warrant labeling.\13\ NEMA also argued
that intermediate and candelabra based bulbs produced using differing
technologies (e.g., incandescent, CFL, and LED) do not necessarily have
the same functionality, and thus are not always direct substitutes for
each other, presumably decreasing the comparative benefits of the FTC
label. For example, most CFL replacements do not dim and may not
provide the same ``sparkle'' sought by consumers. NEMA also asserted
that consumers are likely to purchase intermediate and candelabra bulbs
based on aesthetic shape, fit, and maximum wattage of their existing
sockets, not on the information provided by the new labels. Finally,
NEMA argued that packages for intermediate and candelabra bulbs (often
cardboard sheets with plastic bulb covers) have little or no room for
the new label.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ NEMA explained that EISA already limits the wattage of
these bulbs to 40W for intermediate-based and 60W for candelabra-
based bulbs, implying that labeling is not necessary for these
products because of their limited wattages and corresponding energy
costs. NEMA acknowledges that a few bulb types do consume more
energy (e.g., 500w DE bulb) but states that these type bulbs do not
have any energy efficient alternatives for consumers to choose from.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
After considering the comments, the Commission finds the energy
efficiency group recommendations for expanding coverage more persuasive
than NEMA's arguments opposing them.\14\ Contrary to NEMA's assertions,
expanded labeling is likely to help consumers compare the variations in
energy use, technology, and performance of these products.
Specifically, these products can use significant amounts of energy
compared to other lighting products. For example, as detailed by the
comments, candelabra and intermediate-based incandescent bulbs are
likely to draw significantly more watts than their CFL and LED
counterparts. These bulbs also may draw more watts than larger, medium-
based CFLs and LEDs. In addition, while competing technologies may not
be available for some of these bulbs, that is not always the case,\15\
and the development of additional competing technologies is likely in
the future. Also, given the relatively high wattage and light output
variation among these products, consumers are likely to consider the
label's light output, energy cost, life, and other disclosures even if,
as NEMA states, they also are concerned with other factors such as
shape, fit, and maximum wattage. In fact, as indicated by other
comments, performance characteristics for these bulbs vary
significantly, strongly suggesting that the FTC label, which highlights
such variations, will be relevant to many consumers. And, although
typical usage patterns (e.g., hours per day of operation) may vary for
these products, the standard usage assumption on the Lighting Facts
label (i.e., three hours per day) will provide consumers a consistent
method to compare performance. Finally, though NEMA raised concerns
about package size, the Rule already addresses space limitation issues
by allowing an alternative text-only label for packages with less than
24 inches of printable space.\16\
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\14\ Consistent with existing requirements, the expanded bulb
coverage would also apply to disclosures for bulbs sold through
websites and paper catalogs. See 16 CFR 305.20.
\15\ For instance, as suggested by NRDC, chandelier bulbs are
commonly sold in CFL and incandescent versions.
\16\ In calculating such space, manufacturers should exclude the
package area occupied by the bulbs themselves and the plastic
necessary to cover them.
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To expand the label's coverage to additional styles of bulbs, the
Commission proposes to amend the definition of ``general service lamp''
to cover all screw-based incandescent, CFL, and LED lamps, eliminate
existing exclusions for specific bulb shapes generally available to
consumers, and make other minor, conforming changes consistent with
this proposal.\17\ Currently, the definition excludes G shape lamps (as
defined in ANSI C78.20-2003 and C79.1-2002) with a diameter of 5 inches
or more; T shape lamps (as defined in ANSI C78.20-2003 and C79.1-2002)
that use not more than 40 watts or have a length of more than 10
inches; and B, BA, CA, F, G16-1/2, G-25, G30, S, or M-14 lamps (as
defined in ANSI C79.1-2002 and ANSI C78.20-2003) of 40 watts or less.
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\17\ The amendment to the definition of ``general service lamp''
also clarifies that the Lighting Facts label applies to lamps that
are ``consumer products'' as defined by EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6291(1)).
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The Commission seeks comment on this proposal, particularly whether
the Rule should retain existing exclusions for the particular shapes
described above.\18\ Please also provide detailed reasons for all
comments. In preparing responses, commenters should review carefully
the proposed revisions to the definition of ``general service lamp'' at
the end of this notice. In addition, the Commission requests that
comments address whether the Commission should retain existing
exclusions for special-use bulbs including appliance lamps as defined
at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30); black light lamps; bug lamps; colored lamps as
defined at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30); infrared lamps; left-hand thread lamps;
marine lamps; marine signal service lamp; mine service lamp; plant
light lamps; rough service lamps as defined at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30);
shatter-resistant lamps (including shatter-proof lamps and a
shatterprotected lamps); sign service lamps; silver bowl lamps;
showcase lamps; traffic signal lamps; and vibration service lamps as
defined at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30). In addressing label coverage for these
specialty bulbs or for any particular bulb shape, comments should
indicate whether such bulbs are distributed, to any significant
[[Page 45718]]
extent, for personal use or consumption by consumers.
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\18\ Comments should also address whether these products will
have space available for the disclosures required on the products
themselves (e.g., lumens and mercury disclosure). In addition,
comments should address whether test procedures are available for
measuring light output, energy use, life, and color temperature for
these products.
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Finally, commenters should address whether the Lighting Facts label
should appear on the package of general service fluorescent lamps.\19\
Currently, the Rule requires an encircled ``E'' on the package of these
lamps to denote compliance with federal efficiency standards. When it
issued this requirement in 1994, the Commission declined to require
more detailed disclosures (e.g., lumens, life, etc.) because of
similarities in the characteristics of competing general service
fluorescent lamps.\20\ The Commmission asks now whether it should
reconsider this decision and, if so, why. In particular, comments
should address the extent to which these products are sold to consumers
in the residential market, the amount of energy such products use, the
variability in energy use between comparable products, the burdens
associated with such label changes, and the likelihood the new label
information would help consumers in their purchasing decisions for
these products.
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\19\ One commenter, Meirowsky, suggested that the Commission
label these products but did not provide details.
\20\ 59 FR 25176, 25197 (May 13, 1994).
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B. LED Test Procedure
Based on unchallenged support in the comments, the Commission
proposes to require a specific test procedure, IES-LM-79-2008 (LM-79),
for measuring LED light output and color characteristics to help ensure
consistent label content. The July 2010 Notice identified this
procedure as a ``safe harbor,'' allowing manufacturers to use LM-79 as
a reasonable basis for LED light output claims. Now, the Commission
proposes to make the procedure mandatory and provide manufacturers one
year to begin using the procedure as the basis for their label
information for LED bulbs. The Commission seeks comment on this
proposal.
Comments provided convincing support for the adoption of LM-79.\21\
CEE argued that an FTC requirement for LM-79 would create more
consistency in the market. It explained that the procedure offers the
only test available to measure LED products, given their unique
properties. CEE also noted that representatives of industry, research
institutions, and test laboratories contributed to its development and
that the ENERGY STAR program has incorporated LM-79 into its
specifications. Cree, Inc., also explained that most manufacturers know
the LM-79 procedures, test labs conduct these measurements, and, in the
commercial market at least, consumers are looking for this test data
when they purchase LED bulbs.
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\21\ See NEMA, CEE, and Cree, Inc.
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III. Issues Not Included in Proposed Amendments
After reviewing the comments submitted in response to the July 2010
Notice, the Commission is not proposing any new requirements for watt-
equivalence standards, beam spread disclosures, directional light
disclosures, lead content disclosures, bilingual labels, fossil fuel
lamp labels, and power factor at this time.\22\ Unless stated
otherwise, the Commission is not seeking additional comments on these
issues.
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\22\ The Commission also received comments on issues already
addressed by the Final Rule notice (e.g., bulb life disclosures,
mercury disclosures, color rendering index, and dimmers) and issues
not identified for comment in that notice (e.g., operating
temperature disclosures). This Notice does not address those issues
because the Commission has already considered them earlier or
because they are not relevant to the issues currently under
consideration.
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A. Watt-Equivalence Claims
The Commission is not proposing standards for watt-equivalence
claims because such requirements may inhibit helpful, truthful
representations, and thus may not necessarily help consumers in their
bulb purchasing decisions. Nevertheless, manufacturers should heed the
Commission's earlier recommendation to use ENERGY STAR equivalence
benchmarks for general guidance in developing their watt-equivalence
claims.\23\
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\23\ 75 FR at 41701.
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Watt-equivalence claims often appear on CFL packages and generally
contain conspicuous comparisons of the CFL's light output to equivalent
incandescent lamps (e.g., ``this bulb is a `60-watt' equivalent'' or
``13W=60W''). In the June 2010 Notice, the Commission sought comment on
establishing mandatory, watt-equivalence requirements for these
claims.\24\
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\24\ Id.
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The comments offered conflicting views. NRDC suggested the
Commission set standards to mandate consistency in watt-equivalence
claims on light bulb packages. In particular, NRDC, which provided
several examples of problematic watt-equivalence claims, urged the
Commission to use the ENERGY STAR watt-equivalence benchmarks in that
program's CFL specifications. It also noted that the European Union has
already adopted such standards. Additionally, NRDC urged standards for
reflector lamps separate from those for conventional incandescent
bulbs. NEMA also supported standards but, as an alternative,
recommended the Commission impose a blanket prohibition on all watt-
equivalence claims. Such a prohibition, in NEMA's view, would shift
consumers away from using older, nearly obsolete technology as the
basis for their bulb comparisons.
Conversely, Cree, Inc. argued that strict standards may actually
encourage watt-equivalence claims and cause continued consumer reliance
on power as a shorthand for light output. Cree, Inc. also argued that
watt-equivalence comparisons should take into account factors other
than light output such as light quality and distribution. According to
Cree, Inc., products with identical light outputs and color temperature
may actually appear to be substantially different to consumers because
of factors such as color rendition index, light distribution, and color
point location.
After considering these comments, the Commission is not proposing
watt-equivalence standards at this time. As discussed by the Commission
in the July 2010 Notice, the ENERGY STAR benchmarks provide important
guidance, but they may not be applicable in every case.\25\ Variables
such as color appearance and other factors discussed in the comments
make it difficult to apply a ``one-size-fits-all'' approach. Indeed,
rigid equivalence standards could inhibit truthful claims. For example,
while typical 60-watt incandescent bulbs have an 800-lumen rating, some
60-watt bulbs that have a cooler light appearance, could have lower
lumen ratings (e.g., 675 lumens). A strict legal standard requiring at
least 800 lumens for all 60-watt comparisons would prohibit such claims
for those cooler, dimmer (e.g., 675 lumens) bulbs even though they are
truthful.\26\ The
[[Page 45719]]
comments did not address these concerns in any detail.
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\25\ Id.
\26\ EPCA authorizes the Commission to consider ``alternative
labeling approaches that will help consumers to understand new high-
efficiency lamp products and to base the purchase decisions of the
consumers on the most appropriate source that meets the requirements
of the consumers for lighting level, light quality, lamp lifetime,
and total lifecycle cost.'' 42 U.S.C. 6294(a)(2)(D)(iii). Although
EPCA gives the FTC authority to require affirmative energy
disclosures on packages and products, the statute does not indicate
that the FTC has authority to prohibit what are otherwise truthful,
substantiated claims. Under Sec. 5 of the FTC Act, the Commission
has authority to prohibit deceptive and unfair claims. 15 U.S.C.
45(a)(1). There is no evidence that the watt-equivalence claims
discussed here are categorically deceptive or unfair. In fact, as
the Commission has acknowledged previously (74 FR 57950, 57955 (Nov.
10, 2009)), watt-equivalence claims may be useful to consumers as
they transition toward using lumens as the primary indicator of
brightness. The Commission generally does not set environmental or
performance standards, particularly if such standards will prohibit
truthful, non-deceptive claims. See 75 FR 63552, 63596 (Oct. 15,
2010) (proposed FTC Green Guides revisions).
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However, even in the absence of rigid watt-equivalence standards,
manufacturers must ensure they can substantiate their watt-equivalence
claims. The comments highlight the need for manufacturers to ensure
their watt-equivalence claims are not deceptive. In particular,
manufacturers must take into account the brightness of the bulbs they
are comparing, as well as other material factors such as light
appearance (i.e., color temperature). To help manufacturers with these
claims, the ENERGY STAR program has issued watt-equivalence standards
that provide general benchmarks for comparing the light output of
traditional incandescents to CFLs. In the short run, the Commission
recommends that manufacturers adhere to the benchmarks in the ENERGY
STAR watt-equivalence guidelines (see Table 1 below) unless they have a
reasonable basis for a different equivalence standard. Simply put, if a
manufacturer's claim is inconsistent with the ENERGY STAR benchmarks,
it must possess another competent and reliable basis to substantiate
its claims and should consider clearly qualifying its claims to avoid
deception. Deceptive watt-equivalence comparisons are subject to FTC
law enforcement actions under Sec. 5 of the FTC Act.
Table 1--ENERGY STAR Watt-Equivalence Benchmarks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Typical luminous
A-shaped incandescent bulb flux (lumens)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
25.................................................... 250
40.................................................... 450
60.................................................... 800
75.................................................... 1,100
100................................................... 1,600
125................................................... 2,000
150................................................... 2,600
30-70-100............................................. 1,200
50-100-150............................................ 2,150
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Does not apply to globes, reflectors, or decorative CFLs. Lumens
for 3-way lamps correspond to maximum equivalence shown.
In the long run, as more high-efficiency products appear and older
incandescent technology leaves the market, watt-equivalence comparisons
will have decreasing relevance to consumers. As equivalence claims
recede, lumens will continue to provide a clear, consistent measurement
for light output. However, consumer transition from watts to lumens
will take time. The Commission encourages manufacturers to focus their
communication efforts on lumens to help consumers with their lighting
decisions. Eventually, consumer education, coupled with the phase-out
of old incandescent bulbs, will help consumers look to lumens, not to
obsolete watt-equivalence claims to evaluate bulb brightness.
B. Beam Spread and Directional Light Disclosure
The Commission is not proposing requirements for beam spread or
directional light disclosures because the need for such mandatory
disclosures to help consumers is unclear. In particular, no consistent
definition exists for beam spread across different bulb types and the
need for mandatory directional light disclosures is uncertain.
NEMA's comments opposed a beam spread disclosure because
definitions of beam spread vary among different bulb types (e.g.,
reflector and PAR [parabolic aluminized reflector] products). In
addition, NEMA asserted that most residential consumers do not
understand beam spread terminology. NEMA also indicated that commercial
consumers and lighting designers generally obtain beam spread
information from manufacturer catalogs, not from packages, thus
suggesting that beam spread information on label packages would not be
particularly helpful. No other commenter specifically addressed this
issue. The Commission does not plan to pursue it further at this time.
NEMA and Cree, Inc. supported a directional light disclosure,
arguing it would be useful to consumers and use little space on the
package. In particular, NEMA recommended Center Beam Candlepower (CBCP)
(i.e., brightness at the center of the beam) for the directional
disclosure on packaging for reflector lamps, including PARs. Cree, Inc.
added that the label should disclose beam angle (either a specific
angle or a category such as spot, flood, etc.).
Despite support in the comments, the Commission is not proposing to
require CBCP disclosures at this time because nothing on the record
suggests such information is familiar to typical consumers. Given this,
CBCP or directional disclosure information may detract from information
already on the label. If manufacturers believe such disclosures are
important, nothing in the Rule prohibits them from providing it
somewhere on the package (other than on the Lighting Facts label), as
long as the information is truthful and substantiated.
C. Lead Content Disclosure
The Commission is not proposing a lead disclosure on the Lighting
Facts label at this time because there is no clear basis in the
comments demonstrating that this additional requirement would assist
consumers in their purchasing decisions. According to NEMA,
manufacturers have removed most of the lead from regulated products and
any remaining lead is not available to human touch.
D. Bilingual Label Requirements
The current Rule allows, but does not require, bilingual labels. In
light of the substantial marketing directed at non-English speakers,
the July 2010 Notice sought comment on whether, when manufacturers make
claims in a foreign language on a light bulb package, they should be
required to include the Lighting Facts label in both that language and
English. NEMA, the only organization to comment on this issue, opposed
such a bilingual labeling requirement, citing space limitations on
packages and the confusion multiple languages may cause. The Commission
heard from no organizations or persons with expertise in issues
affecting non-English speaking consumers.
The Commission believes this issue warrants further consideration.
For nearly 40 years, Commission rules, guides, and cease-and-desist
orders that mandate the clear and conspicuous disclosure of information
in advertisements and sales material have required that such
information be displayed in the language of the target audience
(ordinarily, the language principally used in the advertisement or
sales material in question).\27\ Before adopting an alternative
approach in the context of light bulb packaging, the Commission will
continue to consider this issue and seeks additional information from a
wider group of stakeholders. As part of that process, the Commission
requests further comment on whether non-English claims on light bulb
packages should trigger mandatory bilingual labels or other
disclosures, and specifically asks commenters to address the following
questions:
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\27\ 16 CFR 14.9 (see 38 FR 21494 (Aug. 4, 1973)); see also 16
CFR 610.4(a)(3)(ii) (mandatory disclosures about free credit reports
must be made in same language as that principally used in the
advertisement); 16 CFR 308.3(a)(1) (mandatory disclosures about pay-
per-call services must be made in same language as that principally
used in advertisement); 16 CFR 455.5 (where used car sale conducted
in Spanish, mandatory disclosures must be made in Spanish); 16 CFR
429.1(a) (in door-to-door sales, failure to furnish completed
receipt or contract in same language as oral sales presentation is
an unfair and deceptive act or practice).
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[[Page 45720]]
1. How prevalent today are non-English claims on light bulb
packages? What are the languages being used? What types of information
is typically conveyed through such non-English claims?
2. Do any light bulb packages currently include non-English
information without displaying a bilingual version of the required FTC
label? If so, please address whether, in such circumstances, the
English label sufficiently conveys lighting information to non-English
speaking consumers given the label's emphasis on numerical information.
If so, why? If not, why not?
3. Would a bilingual label requirement triggered by non-English
claims on packages discourage manufacturers from including non-English
information on their packages? If so why, and what could be done to
ameliorate that effect? If not, why not?
4. Could a bilingual label fit on all light bulb packages? If so,
why? If not, why not? If the bilingual label could fit some but not all
package sizes, how big would the package have to be to reasonably carry
a bilingual label? Should a triggered disclosure depend on the size of
the label?
5. Finally, the Commission seeks input on any other measures it
should consider to help non-English speaking consumers obtain the
information provided on the Lighting Facts Label concerning estimated
annual energy cost, brightness, light appearance, life energy use, and
the presence of mercury.
E. Fossil Fuel Lamps
The Commission is not proposing to require fossil fuel lamp labels
(e.g., natural gas lights, propane lights, and kerosene lamps) at this
time because there is no clear basis in the record to indicate the
Lighting Facts label would be appropriate for these products and thus
help consumers in their purchasing decisions. In earlier comments, the
Edison Electric Institute urged labeling for fossil fuel lamps noting
their high energy costs.\28\ However, fossil fuel lamps are
significantly different from electric lamps in factors such as fuel
type and use. For example, the usage and cost assumptions applicable to
electric light bulbs may not apply to fossil fuel lamps. NEMA, which
provided the only comments on this issue, noted that consumers use
fossil fuel lamps for different applications than other lamps. NEMA
also stated that consumers do not expect fossil fuel lamps to be energy
efficient.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\28\ See 75 FR at 41698, n.16.
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F. Power Factor
The Commission is not proposing to include power factor on the
Lighting Facts label because, according to the comments, power factor
does not affect a consumer's energy costs and few consumers are likely
to understand the term.\29\
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\29\ See NEMA, Cree, Inc., and CEE. Power factor, which is
expressed as a number between 0 and 1, is a measure of the
efficiency with which a device uses the power made available to it
from the electric grid.
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IV. Minor, Clarifying Changes
The Commission also proposes to clarify the Rule language for
labeling bulbs that operate at multiple, separate light levels (e.g.,
``3-way'' bulbs) to clarify that such language applies to all covered
bulb technologies. Currently, the Rule's language addressing such bulbs
applies only to incandescent bulbs.
V. Request for Comment
The Commission invites interested persons to submit written
comments on any issue of fact, law, or policy that may bear upon the
proposals under consideration. Please include explanations for any
answers provided, as well as supporting evidence where appropriate.
After examining the comments, the Commission will determine whether to
issue specific amendments.
You can file a comment online or on paper. For the Commission to
consider your comment, we must receive it on or before September 22,
2011. Write ``Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Expanded Bulb Coverage
for the Lighting Facts Label (16 CFR part 305) (Project No. P084206)''
on your comment. Your comment--including your name and your state--will
be placed on the public record of this proceeding, including, to the
extent practicable, on the public Commission Web site, at https://www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm. As a matter of discretion, the
Commission tries to remove individuals' home contact information from
comments before placing them on the Commission Website.
Because your comment will be made public, you are solely
responsible for making sure that your comment does not include any
sensitive personal information, like anyone's Social Security number,
date of birth, driver's license number or other state identification
number or foreign country equivalent, passport number, financial
account number, or credit or debit card number. You are also solely
responsible for making sure that your comment does not include any
sensitive health information, like medical records or other
individually identifiable health information. In addition, do not
include any ``[t]rade secret or any commercial or financial information
which is obtained from any person and which is privileged or
confidential,'' as provided in Section 6(f) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C.
46(f), and FTC Rule 4.10(a)(2), 16 CFR 4.10(a)(2). If you want the
Commission to give your comment confidential treatment, you must file
it in paper form, with a request for confidential treatment, and you
have to follow the procedure explained in FTC Rule 4.9(c), 16 CFR
4.9(c).\30\ Your comment will be kept confidential only if the FTC
General Counsel, in his or her sole discretion, grants your request in
accordance with the law and the public interest.
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\30\ In particular, the written request for confidential
treatment that accompanies the comment must include the factual and
legal basis for the request, and must identify the specific portions
of the comment to be withheld from the public record. See FTC Rule
4.9(c), 16 CFR 4.9(c).
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Postal mail addressed to the Commission is subject to delay due to
heightened security screening. As a result, we encourage you to submit
your comments online, or to send them to the Commission by courier or
overnight service. To make sure that the Commission considers your
online comment, you must file it at https://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/lampcoveragenprm, by following the instructions on the web-based
form. If this Notice appears at https://www.regulations.gov/#!home, you
also may file a comment through that website.
If you file your comment on paper, write ``Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking on Expanded Bulb Coverage for the Lighting Facts Label (16
CFR part 305) (Project No. P084206)'' on your comment and on the
envelope, and mail or deliver it to the following address: Federal
Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room H-113 (Annex Y), 600
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20580. If possible, submit
your paper comment to the Commission by courier or overnight service.
Visit the Commission Web site at https://www.ftc.gov to read this
Notice and the news release describing it. The FTC Act and other laws
that the Commission administers permit the collection of public
comments to consider and use in this proceeding as appropriate. The
Commission will consider all timely and responsive
[[Page 45721]]
public comments that it receives on or before September 22, 2011. You
can find more information, including routine uses permitted by the
Privacy Act, in the Commission's privacy policy, at https://www.ftc.gov/ftc/privacy.htm.
Because written comments appear adequate to present the views of
all interested parties, the Commission has not scheduled an oral
hearing regarding these proposed amendments. Interested parties may
request an opportunity to present views orally. If such a request is
made, the Commission will publish a document in the Federal Register
stating the time and place for such oral presentation(s) and describing
the procedures that will be followed. Interested parties who wish to
present oral views must submit a hearing request, on or before
September 22, 2011, in the form of a written comment that describes the
issues on which the party wishes to speak. If there is no oral hearing,
the Commission will base its decision on the written rulemaking record.
VI. Paperwork Reduction Act
The current Rule contains recordkeeping, disclosure, and testing
requirements that constitute a ``collection of information'' as defined
by 5 CFR 1320.3(c), the definitions provision within OMB regulations
that implement the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).\31\ OMB has approved
the Rule's existing information collection requirements through January
31, 2014 (OMB Control No. 3084-0069). The amendments make changes in
the Rule's labeling requirements. Accordingly, the Commission has
submitted this notice of proposed rulemaking and associated Supporting
Statement to OMB for review under the PRA.\32\
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\31\ 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.
\32\ The PRA analysis for this rulemaking focuses strictly on
the information collection requirements created by and/or otherwise
affected by the amendments. Unaffected information collection
provisions, specifically those regarding recordkeeping and reporting
requirements, have previously been accounted for in past FTC
analyses under the Rule and are covered by the current PRA clearance
from OMB.
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Package and Product Labeling: The proposed amendments require
manufacturers to label several new bulb types. Accordingly,
manufacturers will have to amend their package and product labeling to
include new disclosures. The new requirements impose a one-time
adjustment for manufacturers. The Commission estimates that there are
50 manufacturers making approximately 3,000 of these newly covered
products. This adjustment will require an estimated 600 hours per
manufacturer on average.\33\ Annualized for a single year reflective of
a prospective 3-year PRA clearance, this averages to 200 hours per
year. Thus, the label design change will result in cumulative burden of
10,000 hours (50 manufacturers x 200 hours). In estimating the
associated labor cost, the Commission assumes that the label design
change will be implemented by graphic designers at an hourly wage rate
of $23.44 per hour based on Bureau of Labor Statistics information.\34\
Thus, the Commission estimates annual labor cost for this adjustment
will total $234,400 (10,000 hours x $23.44 per hour).
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\33\ The Commission has increased its estimate of the hours
required to make this change from earlier estimates given recent
concerns raised about the burden of implementing label changes. See
75 FR 81943 (Dec. 29, 2010).
\34\ See U.S. Department of Labor, National Compensation Survey:
Occupational Earnings in the United States 2009 (June 2010),
Bulletin 2738, Table 3 (``Full-time civilian workers,'' mean and
median hourly wages), https://www.bls.gov/ncs/ncswage2009.htm, at 3-
12.
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The Commission estimates that the annualized capital cost of
expanding the light bulb label coverage is $1,535,000. This estimate is
based on the assumptions that manufacturers will have to change 3,000
model packages over a three-year period to meet the new requirements
\35\ and that package label changes for each product will cost
$1,335.\36\ Manufacturers place information on products in the normal
course of business. Annualized in the context of a 3-year PRA
clearance, these non-labor costs would average $1,335,000 (3,000 model
packages x $1,335 each / 3 years). As for product labeling, the
Commission assumes that the one-time labeling change will cost $200 per
model for an annualized estimated total of $200,000 (3,000 models x
$200 / 3 years). Annualized in the context of a 3-year PRA clearance,
these non-labor costs would average $1,535,000.
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\35\ This assumes that manufacturers will change packages for
one third of their products in the normal course of business over
the compliance period (i.e., 2\1/2\). The two and a half year
compliance period and the notice provided by this proceeding should
minimize the likelihood that manufacturers will have to discard
package inventory. In addition, manufacturers may use stickers in
lieu of discarding inventory.
\36\ See 75 FR at 41712 n. 149 and accompanying text.
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Catalog Sellers: The proposed amendments will also require catalog
sellers (e.g., website and print catalog sellers) to make required
disclosures for these products pursuant to 16 CFR 305.20. The
Commission estimates that there are approximately 150 entities subject
to the amended requirements. The Commission estimates that these
sellers each require approximately 17 hours per year to incorporate the
data into their catalogs. This estimate is based on the assumption that
entry of the required information takes on average one minute per
covered product and an assumption that the average online catalog
contains approximately 1,000 covered products. Given that there is
great variety among sellers in the volume of products that they offer
online, it is very difficult to estimate such numbers with precision.
In addition, this analysis assumes that information for all 1,000
products is entered into the catalog each year. This is a conservative
assumption because the number of incremental additions to the catalog
from year to year is likely to be much lower after initial start-up
efforts have been completed. Thus, the total annual disclosure burden
for all catalog sellers of light bulbs covered by the proposed Rule is
2,550 hours (150 sellers x 17 hours annually). In estimating the
associated labor cost, the Commission assumes that the label design
change will be implemented by graphic designers at an hourly wage rate
of $23.44 per hour.\37\ Thus, estimated labor cost for this adjustment
is $59,772 (2,550 hours x $23.44 per hour).
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\37\ See supra note 34.
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Testing: The Commission assumes conservatively that manufacturers
will have to test 3,000 basic models at 14 hours for each model for a
total of 42,000 hours.\38\ In calculating the associated labor cost
estimate, the Commission assumes that this work will be implemented by
electrical engineers at an hourly wage rate of $39.72 per hour.\39\
Thus, the Commission estimates that the new label design change will
result in associated labor costs of approximately $1,668,240 (42,000
hours x $39.72 per hour). The Commission does not expect that the final
amendments will create any capital or other non-labor costs for such
testing.
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\38\ The Commission also assumes conservatively that
manufacturers will conduct new testing for 3,000 out of the 6,000
estimated covered products. The Commission does not expect the
specific LED testing requirements will increase burden because
existing burden estimates account for testing of products already
covered by the Rule. See 75 FR 81943 (Dec. 29, 2010).
\39\ Supra note 34.
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Accordingly, the revised estimated total hour burden of the
amendments is 54,550 hours (10,000 hours for packaging and labeling +
2,550 hours for catalog compliance + 42,000 hours for additional
testing for correlated color temperature) with associated labor costs
of $1,962,412 and annualized capital or other non-labor costs totaling
$1,535,000.
[[Page 45722]]
Comments on any proposed labeling requirements subject to review
under the Paperwork Reduction Act should additionally be submitted to
OMB. If sent by U.S. mail, they should be addressed to Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget,
Attention: Desk Officer for the Federal Trade Commission, New Executive
Office Building, Docket Library, Room 10102, 725 17th Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20503. Comments sent to OMB by U.S. postal mail,
however, are subject to delays due to heightened security precautions.
Thus, comments instead should be sent by facsimile to (202) 395-5167.
VII. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, requires
that the Commission provide an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
(IRFA) with a proposed rule and a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
(FRFA), if any, with the final rule, unless the Commission certifies
that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. See 5 U.S.C. 603-605.
The Commission does not anticipate that the proposed rule will have
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. The Commission recognizes that some of the affected
manufacturers may qualify as small businesses under the relevant
thresholds. However, the Commission does not expect that the economic
impact of the proposed amendments will be significant.
In its July 19, 2010 Notice (75 FR 41711), the Commission estimated
that the new labeling requirements will apply to about 50 product
manufacturers and an additional 150 online and paper catalog sellers of
covered products. The Commission expects that approximately 150 qualify
as small businesses.
Accordingly, this document serves as notice to the Small Business
Administration of the FTC's certification of no effect. To ensure the
accuracy of this certification, however, the Commission requests
comment on whether the proposed rule will have a significant impact on
a substantial number of small entities, including specific information
on the number of entities that would be covered by the proposed rule,
the number of these companies that are ``small entities,'' and the
average annual burden for each entity. Although the Commission
certifies under the RFA that the rule proposed in this notice would
not, if promulgated, have a significant impact on a substantial number
of small entities, the Commission has determined, nonetheless, that it
is appropriate to publish an IRFA in order to inquire into the impact
of the proposed rule on small entities. Therefore, the Commission has
prepared the following analysis:
A. Description of the Reasons That Action by the Agency Is Being Taken
Section 321(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
(Pub. L. 110-140) requires the Commission to consider reopening light
bulb labeling requirements in 2011. The Commission is proposing
expanded product coverage and additional testing requirements to help
consumers in their purchasing decisions for high efficiency products.
B. Statement of the Objectives of, and Legal Basis for, the Proposed
Rule
The objective of the rule is to improve the effectiveness of the
current lamp labeling program. Section 321(b) of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-140) requires the
Commission consider reopening light bulb labeling requirements in 2011
to consider whether alternative labeling approaches would help
consumers better understand new high-efficiency lamp products and help
them choose lamps that meet their needs.
C. Small Entities to Which the Proposed Rule Will Apply
Under the Small Business Size Standards issued by the Small
Business Administration, lamp manufacturers qualify as small businesses
if they have fewer than 1,000 employees (for other household appliances
the figure is 500 employees). Lamp catalog sellers qualify as small
businesses if their sales are less than $8.0 million annually. The
Commission estimates that there are approximately 150 entities subject
to the proposed rule's requirements that qualify as small
businesses.\40\ The Commission seeks comment and information with
regard to the estimated number or nature of small business entities for
which the proposed rule would have a significant economic impact.
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\40\ See 75 FR at 41712.
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D. Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance Requirements
The changes under consideration would not increase any reporting or
recordkeeping requirements associated with the Commission's labeling
rules (75 FR 41696). The amendments will increase compliance burdens by
extending the labeling requirements to new types of light bulbs. The
Commission assumes that the label design change will be implemented by
graphic designers.
E. Duplicative, Overlapping, or Conflicting Federal Rules
The Commission has not identified any other federal statutes,
rules, or policies that would duplicate, overlap, or conflict with the
proposed rule. The Commission invites comment and information on this
issue.
F. Significant Alternatives to the Proposed Rule
The Commission seeks comment and information on the need, if any,
for alternative compliance methods that, consistent with the statutory
requirements, would reduce the economic impact of the rule on small
entities. For example, in proposing to extend the bulb coverage, the
Commission is currently unaware of the need to adopt any special
provision for small entities to be able to take advantage of the
proposed extension or exemption, where applicable. However, if such
issues are identified, the Commission could consider alternative
approaches such as extending the effective date of these amendments for
catalog sellers to allow them additional time to comply beyond the
labeling deadline set for manufacturers. Nonetheless, if the comments
filed in response to this notice identify small entities that are
affected by the rule, as well as alternative methods of compliance that
would reduce the economic impact of the rule on such entities, the
Commission will consider the feasibility of such alternatives and
determine whether they should be incorporated into the final rule.
VIII. Communications by Outside Parties to the Commissioners or Their
Advisors
Written communications and summaries or transcripts of oral
communications respecting the merits of this proceeding, from any
outside party to any Commissioner or Commissioner's advisor, will be
placed on the public record. See 16 CFR 1.26(b)(5).
IX. Proposed Rule
List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 305
Advertising, Energy conservation, Household appliances, Labeling,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons discussed above, the Commission proposes to amend
part
[[Page 45723]]
305 of title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:
PART 305--RULE CONCERNING DISCLOSURES REGARDING ENERGY CONSUMPTION
AND WATER USE OF CERTAIN HOME APPLIANCES AND OTHER PRODUCTS
REQUIRED UNDER THE ENERGY POLICY AND CONSERVATION ACT (``APPLIANCE
LABELING RULE'')
1. The authority citation for part 305 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6294.
2. In Sec. 305.3, revise paragraphs (l), (m), (n), (o), (p) and
(q) to read as follows:
Sec. 305.3 Description of covered products.
* * * * *
(l) General service lamp means:
(1) A lamp that is a consumer product and is:
(i) A compact fluorescent lamp;
(ii) A general service incandescent lamp;
(iii) A general service light-emitting diode (LED or OLED) lamp; or
(iv) Any other lamp that the Secretary of Energy determines is used
to satisfy lighting applications traditionally served by general
service incandescent lamps.
(2) Exclusions. The term general service lamp does not include--
(i) Any lighting application or bulb shape described in paragraphs
(n)(2)(ii)(A) through (Q) of this section; and
(ii) Any general service fluorescent lamp.
(m) Compact fluorescent lamp means an integrally ballasted
fluorescent lamp with a screw, GU-10 pin, or GU-24 pin base, and a
rated input voltage range of 115 to 130 volts; however, the term does
not include any lamp that is specifically designed to be used for
special purpose applications described in paragraphs (n)(2)(ii)(A)
through (Q) of this section.
(n) Incandescent lamp:
(1) Means a lamp in which light is produced by a filament heated to
incandescence by an electric current, including only the following:
(i) Any lamp (commonly referred to as lower wattage nonreflector
general service lamps, including any tungsten-halogen lamp) that has a
rated wattage up to 199 watts, has an screw base, has a rated voltage
or voltage range that lies at least partially within 115 and 130 volts,
and is not a reflector lamp;
(ii) Any lamp (commonly referred to as a reflector lamp) which is
not colored or designed for rough or vibration service applications,
that contains an inner reflective coating on the outer bulb to direct
the light, an R, PAR, ER, BR, BPAR, or similar bulb shapes with screw
bases and a rated voltage or voltage range that lies at least partially
within 115 and 130 volts;
(iii) Any general service incandescent lamp (commonly referred to
as a high or higher-wattage lamp) that has a rated wattage above 199
watts (above 205 watts for a high wattage reflector lamp);
(2) General service incandescent lamp means
(i) In general, a standard incandescent, halogen, or reflector type
lamp that--
(A) Is intended for general service applications;
(B) Has a screw base;
(C) Has a lumen range of not more than 2,600 lumens; and
(D) Is capable of being operated at a voltage range at least
partially within 110 and 130 volts.
(ii) Exclusions. The term ``general service incandescent lamp''
does not include the following incandescent lamps:
(A) An appliance lamp as defined at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30);
(B) A black light lamp;
(C) A bug lamp;
(D) A colored lamp as defined at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30);
(E) An infrared lamp;
(F) A left-hand thread lamp;
(G) A marine lamp;
(H) A marine signal service lamp;
(I) A mine service lamp;
(J) A plant light lamp;
(K) A rough service lamp as defined at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30);
(L) A shatter-resistant lamp (including a shatter-proof lamp and a
shatterprotected lamp);
(M) A sign service lamp;
(N) A silver bowl lamp;
(O) A showcase lamp;
(P) A traffic signal lamp; or
(Q) A vibration service lamp as defined at 42 U.S.C. 6291(30);
(3) Incandescent reflector lamp means a lamp described in paragraph
(n)(1)(ii) of this section; and
(4) Tungsten-halogen lamp means a gas-filled tungsten filament
incandescent lamp containing a certain proportion of halogens in an
inert gas.
(o) Light-emitting diode (LED) means a p-n junction solid state
device the radiated output of which is a function of the physical
construc