Energy Conservation Program: Extension of Waiver to Apple Inc. From the Department of Energy External Power Supply Test Procedure, 50905-50907 [2018-22004]
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2018 / Notices
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Dated: October 4, 2018.
James F. Manning,
Acting Chief Operating Officer, Federal
Student Aid.
[FR Doc. 2018–22024 Filed 10–9–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
High Energy Physics Advisory Panel
Office of Science, Department
of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of Open Meeting.
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This notice announces a
meeting of the High Energy Physics
Advisory Panel (HEPAP). The Federal
Advisory Committee Act requires that
public notice of these meetings be
announced in the Federal Register.
DATES: Thursday, November 29, 2018,
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November 30, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00
p.m.
SUMMARY:
Gaithersburg Marriott
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Maryland 20878.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
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ADDRESSES:
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Tentative Agenda: Agenda will
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Signed in Washington, DC, on October 3,
2018.
LaTanya Butler,
Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018–21905 Filed 10–9–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Case Number 2018–005, EERE–2017–BT–
WAV–0043]
Energy Conservation Program:
Extension of Waiver to Apple Inc. From
the Department of Energy External
Power Supply Test Procedure
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of extension of waiver.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (‘‘DOE’’) is granting a waiver
extension (Case No. 2018–005) to Apple
Inc. (‘‘Apple’’) to waive certain
requirements of the DOE external power
supply test procedure for determining
SUMMARY:
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50905
the energy efficiency of the Apple brand
external power supply basic model
A1882. Under this extension, Apple is
required to test and rate this basic
model in accordance with the
applicable DOE test procedure, with the
exception that the Nameplate Output
Current shall be 2A when testing at the
lowest achievable output voltage.
DATES: The Extension of Waiver is
applicable as of October 10, 2018. The
Extension of Waiver will terminate
upon the compliance date of any future
amendment to the test procedure for
external power supplies located in 10
CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix Z
that addresses the issues presented in
this waiver. At such time, Apple must
use the relevant test procedure for this
product for any testing to demonstrate
compliance with standards, and any
other representations of energy use.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Office, EE–5B, 1000
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20585–0121. Email: AS_Waiver_
Requests@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
Mail Stop GC–33, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585–0103.
Telephone: (202) 586–8145. Email:
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR 430.27(g)),
DOE gives notice of the issuance of an
Extension of Waiver as set forth below.
The Extension of Waiver extends the
Decision and Order granted to Apple on
March 16, 2018 (83 FR 11738; ‘‘March
2018 Decision and Order’’) to include
Apple basic model A1882, as requested
by Apple on May 17, 2018.1 Apple must
test and rate the specifically identified
external power supply basic model in
accordance with the alternate test
procedure specified in the March 2018
Decision and Order. Apple’s
representations concerning the energy
efficiency of the specified basic model
must be based on testing according to
the provisions and restrictions in the
alternate test procedure set forth in the
March 2018 Decision and Order, and the
representations must fairly disclose the
test results. Distributors, retailers, and
private labelers are held to the same
requirements when making
representations regarding the energy
1 Apple’s request is available at https://
www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2017-BTWAV-0043.
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50906
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2018 / Notices
efficiency of this product. (42 U.S.C.
6293(c)).
DOE makes decisions on waiver
extensions for only those basic models
specifically set out in the request, not
future models that may be manufactured
by the petitioner. Apple may submit a
new or amended petition for waiver and
request for grant of interim waiver, as
appropriate, for additional basic models
of EPSs. Alternatively, if appropriate,
Apple may request that DOE extend the
scope of a waiver to include additional
basic models employing the same
technology as the basic model(s) set
forth in the original petition consistent
with 10 CFR 430.27(g).
Signed in Washington, DC, on October 2,
2018.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
Case Number 2018–005
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
Extension of Waiver
I. Background and Authority
The Energy Policy and Conservation
Act of 1975, as amended (‘‘EPCA’’) 1 (42
U.S.C. 6291–6317), among other things,
authorizes DOE to regulate the energy
efficiency of a number of consumer
products and industrial equipment.
Title III, Part B 2 of EPCA established the
Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products Other Than
Automobiles, which sets forth a variety
of provisions designed to improve
energy efficiency for certain types of
consumer products. These products
include external power supplies
(‘‘EPSs’’), the focus of this extension. (42
U.S.C. 6291(36); 42 U.S.C. 6295(u)).
Under EPCA, DOE’s energy
conservation program consists
essentially of four parts: (1) Testing, (2)
labeling, (3) Federal energy conservation
standards, and (4) certification and
enforcement procedures. Relevant
provisions of EPCA include definitions
(42 U.S.C. 6291), energy conservation
standards (42 U.S.C. 6295), test
procedures (42 U.S.C. 6293), labeling
provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294), and the
authority to require information and
reports from manufacturers. (42 U.S.C.
6296).
The Federal testing requirements
consist of test procedures that
manufacturers of covered products must
use as the basis for: (1) Certifying to
DOE that their products comply with
1 All references to EPCA in this document refer
to the statute as amended through the EPS
Improvement Act of 2017, Public Law 115–115
(January 12, 2018).
2 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated as Part A.
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21:20 Oct 09, 2018
Jkt 247001
the applicable energy conservation
standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42
U.S.C. 6295(s)), and (2) making
representations about the efficiency of
those products (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)).
Similarly, DOE must use these test
procedures to determine whether the
product complies with relevant
standards promulgated under EPCA. (42
U.S.C. 6295(s)).
Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth
the criteria and procedures DOE is
required to follow when prescribing or
amending test procedures for covered
products. EPCA requires that test
procedures prescribed or amended
under this section must be reasonably
designed to produce test results which
reflect the energy efficiency, energy use
or estimated annual operating cost of a
covered product during a representative
average use cycle or period of use and
requires that test procedures not be
unduly burdensome to conduct. (42
U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test procedure for
external power supplies is contained in
10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix Z,
Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
Energy Consumption of External Power
Supplies (‘‘appendix Z’’).
Under 10 CFR 430.27, any interested
person may submit a petition for waiver
from DOE’s test procedure
requirements. DOE will grant a waiver
from the test procedure requirements if
DOE determines either that the basic
model for which the waiver was
requested contains a design
characteristic that prevents testing of the
basic model according to the prescribed
test procedures, or that the prescribed
test procedures evaluate the basic model
in a manner so unrepresentative of its
true energy or water consumption
characteristics as to provide materially
inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR
430.27(f)(2). DOE may grant the waiver
subject to conditions, including
adherence to alternate test procedures.
Id.
A petitioner may request that DOE
extend the scope of a waiver or an
interim waiver to include additional
basic models employing the same
technology as the basic model(s) set
forth in the original petition. 10 CFR
430.27(g). DOE will publish any such
extension in the Federal Register. Id.
II. Request for an Extension of Waiver:
Assertions and Determinations
DOE issued a Decision and Order in
Case Number EPS–001 (March 2018
Decision and Order), granting Apple a
waiver to test its Apple brand basic
models A1718, A1719, and A1540 using
an alternate test procedure. 83 FR 11738
(March 16, 2018). In its petition for
waiver, Apple had stated that the
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specified basic models meet the
provisions of the International
Electrotechincal Commission’s
‘‘Universal serial bus interfaces for data
and power—Part 1–2: Common
components—USB Power Delivery’’
(‘‘IEC 62680–1–2:2017’’) specification.
The IEC specification describes the
particular architecture, protocols, power
supply behavior, connectors, and
cabling necessary for managing power
delivery over a universal serial bus
(‘‘USB’’) connection at power levels of
up to 100 watts (‘‘W’’). The purpose
behind this specification is to help
provide a standardized approach for
power supply and peripheral developers
to ensure backward compatibility while
retaining product design and marketing
flexibility. See generally, IEC 62680–1–
2:2017 (Abstract) (describing the
standard’s general provisions and
purpose).
In Apple’s view, applying the DOE
test procedure to the adaptive EPS basic
models identified in its petitions would
yield results that would be
unrepresentative of the active-mode
efficiency of those products. The DOE
test procedure requires that the average
active-mode efficiency for adaptive
EPSs 3 be measured by testing the unit
twice—once at the highest achievable
output voltage (‘‘V’’) and once at the
lowest. The test procedure requires that
active-mode efficiency be measured at
four loading conditions relative to the
nameplate output current of the EPS.
See generally 10 CFR 430.23(bb) and
Appendix Z. The lowest achievable
output voltage supported by the IEC
62680–1–2:2017 specification is 5V and
the nameplate current at this voltage
output is 3 amps (‘‘A’’), resulting in a
power output of 15W. Apple contended
that while the IEC 62680–1–2:2017
specification requires the tested EPS to
support this power output, the 15W at
5V condition will be rarely used and
only for brief periods of time.
Accordingly, Apple asserted that the
DOE test procedure’s measurement of
efficiency at this power level is
unrepresentative of the true energy
consumption of the EPSs subject to the
initial waiver request.
Based on the information provided by
Apple, DOE determined that the current
test procedure at Appendix Z would
evaluate the adaptive EPS basic models
specified in the March 2018 Decision
and Order in a manner so
unrepresentative of their true energy
consumption characteristics as to
3 An adaptive EPS is an EPS that can alter its
output voltage during active-mode based on an
established digital communication protocol with
the end-use application without user-generated
action. 10 CFR 430.2.
E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2018 / Notices
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1
provide materially inaccurate
comparative data. 83 FR 11739. The
March 2018 Decision and Order
specifies that Apple test and rate the
subject basic models such that the 100%
nameplate loading condition when
testing at the lowest achievable output
voltage is 2A (which corresponds to an
output power of 10 watts). 83 FR 11740.
The 75%, 50%, and 25% loading
conditions shall be scaled accordingly
and the nameplate output power of such
an EPS, at the lowest output voltage,
shall be equal to 10 watts. Id.
On May 17, 2018, Apple requested to
extend the scope of the waiver it
received in Case Number 2018–001, to
the Apple brand basic model A1882.
Apple stated that this basic model
employs the same technology as the
models covered by the existing waiver.
DOE has reviewed Apple’s waiver
extension request and determined that
the adaptive EPS basic model identified
in Apple’s request incorporates the
same design characteristics as those
basic models covered under Apple’s
existing waiver such that the test
procedure evaluates that basic model in
a manner that is unrepresentative of its
use when charging a product that is sold
or intended to be used with the EPS.
DOE also determined that the alternate
procedure specified in Case Number
EPS–001 will allow for the accurate
measurement of the energy use of the
basic model identified by Apple in its
waiver extension request.
III. Order
After careful consideration of all the
material submitted by Apple in this
matter, it is Ordered that:
(1) Apple must test and rate the EPS
of Apple brand basic model A1882, as
of the date of publication of this
Extension of Waiver in the Federal
Register, as set forth in paragraph (2).
(2) The alternate test procedure for the
basic model listed in paragraph (1) of
this section is the test procedure for
EPSs prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix Z, except that
under section 4(a)(i)(E) and Table 1 of
Appendix Z, the adaptive EPSs must be
tested such that when testing at the
lowest achievable output voltage (i.e.,
5V), the Nameplate Output Current shall
be 2A (which corresponds to an output
power of 10W at the 100% loading
condition). The 75%, 50%, and 25%
loading conditions shall be scaled
accordingly and the nameplate output
power of such an EPS, at the lowest
output voltage, shall be equal to 10W.
(3) Representations. Apple may not
make representations about the energy
efficiency of the adaptive external
power supply basic model identified in
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Jkt 247001
paragraph (1) for compliance,
marketing, or other purposes unless the
basic model has been tested in
accordance with the provisions set forth
above and such representations fairly
disclose the results of such testing.
(4) This Extension of Waiver shall
remain in effect consistent with the
provisions of 10 CFR 430.27.
(5) This Extension of Waiver is issued
on the condition that the statements,
representations, and documents
provided by Apple are valid. If Apple
makes any modifications to the controls
or configurations of this basic model,
the waiver will no longer be valid and
Apple will either be required to use the
current Federal test method or submit a
new application for a test procedure
waiver. DOE may rescind or modify this
Extension of Waiver at any time if it
determines the factual basis underlying
the petition for Extension of Waiver is
incorrect, or the results from the
alternate test procedure are
unrepresentative of the basic model’s
true energy consumption characteristics.
10 CFR 430.27(k)(1). Likewise, Apple
may request that DOE rescind or modify
the Extension of Waiver if the petitioner
discovers an error in the information
provided to DOE as part of its petition,
determines that the Extension of Waiver
is no longer needed, or for other
appropriate reasons. 10 CFR
430.27(k)(2)
(6) Granting of this extension does not
release Apple from the certification
requirements set forth at 10 CFR part
429.
Signed in Washington, DC, on October 2,
2018.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
[FR Doc. 2018–22004 Filed 10–9–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Case Number 2018–008, EERE–2017–BT–
WAV–0038]
Energy Conservation Program:
Extension of Waiver to Panasonic
Appliances Refrigeration Systems
Corporation of America (PAPRSA)
From the Department of Energy
Consumer Refrigerator and
Refrigerator-Freezer Test Procedures
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of extension of waiver.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Department of
Energy (‘‘DOE’’) is granting a waiver
SUMMARY:
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50907
extension (Case Number 2018–008) to
Panasonic Appliances Refrigeration
Systems Corporation of America
(‘‘PAPRSA’’) to waive the requirements
of the DOE refrigerator and refrigeratorfreezer test procedures for determining
the energy consumption of combination
cooler-refrigerator basic model
PR5181JKBC. PAPRSA is required to
test and rate this basic model in
accordance with the applicable DOE test
procedure, with the exception that it
must calculate the specified basic
model’s energy consumption using a
correction factor (‘‘K-factor’’) of 0.85, as
specified in the Extension of Waiver.
DATES: This Extension of Waiver is
effective October 10, 2018. The
Extension of Waiver will terminate on
October 28, 2019, in conjunction with
the compliance date that applies to the
published standards for miscellaneous
refrigeration products (‘‘MREFs’’). See
81 FR 75194 (Oct. 28, 2016).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Office, EE–5B, 1000
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20585–0121. Email: AS_Waiver_
Requests@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
Mail Stop GC–33, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20585–0103.
Telephone: (202) 586–8145. Email:
Michael.Kido@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR 430.27(g)),
DOE gives notice of the issuance of an
Extension of Waiver as set forth below.
The Extension of Waiver extends the
Decision and Order granted to PAPRSA
on May 5, 2017 (82 FR 21209, ‘‘May
2017 Decision and Order’’) to include
PAPRSA combination cooler-refrigerator
basic model PR5181JKBC, as requested
by PAPRSA on June 26, 2018.1 PAPRSA
must test and rate the specifically
identified combination coolerrefrigerator basic model in accordance
with the alternate test procedure
described in the May 2017 Decision and
Order. PAPRSA’s representations
concerning the energy consumption of
the specified basic model must be based
on testing according to the provisions
and restrictions in the alternate test
procedure set forth in the May 2017
Decision and Order, and the
representations must fairly disclose the
test results. Distributors, retailers, and
1 PAPRSA’s request is available at https://
regulations.gov in docket ID EERE–2017–BT–WAV–
0038.
E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50905-50907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-22004]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Case Number 2018-005, EERE-2017-BT-WAV-0043]
Energy Conservation Program: Extension of Waiver to Apple Inc.
From the Department of Energy External Power Supply Test Procedure
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of extension of waiver.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') is granting a waiver
extension (Case No. 2018-005) to Apple Inc. (``Apple'') to waive
certain requirements of the DOE external power supply test procedure
for determining the energy efficiency of the Apple brand external power
supply basic model A1882. Under this extension, Apple is required to
test and rate this basic model in accordance with the applicable DOE
test procedure, with the exception that the Nameplate Output Current
shall be 2A when testing at the lowest achievable output voltage.
DATES: The Extension of Waiver is applicable as of October 10, 2018.
The Extension of Waiver will terminate upon the compliance date of any
future amendment to the test procedure for external power supplies
located in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix Z that addresses the
issues presented in this waiver. At such time, Apple must use the
relevant test procedure for this product for any testing to demonstrate
compliance with standards, and any other representations of energy use.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Office, EE-5B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585-0121. Email:
[email protected].
Mr. Michael Kido, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, Mail Stop GC-33, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW, Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-8145. Email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR 430.27(g)), DOE gives notice of the
issuance of an Extension of Waiver as set forth below. The Extension of
Waiver extends the Decision and Order granted to Apple on March 16,
2018 (83 FR 11738; ``March 2018 Decision and Order'') to include Apple
basic model A1882, as requested by Apple on May 17, 2018.\1\ Apple must
test and rate the specifically identified external power supply basic
model in accordance with the alternate test procedure specified in the
March 2018 Decision and Order. Apple's representations concerning the
energy efficiency of the specified basic model must be based on testing
according to the provisions and restrictions in the alternate test
procedure set forth in the March 2018 Decision and Order, and the
representations must fairly disclose the test results. Distributors,
retailers, and private labelers are held to the same requirements when
making representations regarding the energy
[[Page 50906]]
efficiency of this product. (42 U.S.C. 6293(c)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Apple's request is available at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2017-BT-WAV-0043.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE makes decisions on waiver extensions for only those basic
models specifically set out in the request, not future models that may
be manufactured by the petitioner. Apple may submit a new or amended
petition for waiver and request for grant of interim waiver, as
appropriate, for additional basic models of EPSs. Alternatively, if
appropriate, Apple may request that DOE extend the scope of a waiver to
include additional basic models employing the same technology as the
basic model(s) set forth in the original petition consistent with 10
CFR 430.27(g).
Signed in Washington, DC, on October 2, 2018.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
Case Number 2018-005
Extension of Waiver
I. Background and Authority
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended
(``EPCA'') \1\ (42 U.S.C. 6291-6317), among other things, authorizes
DOE to regulate the energy efficiency of a number of consumer products
and industrial equipment. Title III, Part B \2\ of EPCA established the
Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than
Automobiles, which sets forth a variety of provisions designed to
improve energy efficiency for certain types of consumer products. These
products include external power supplies (``EPSs''), the focus of this
extension. (42 U.S.C. 6291(36); 42 U.S.C. 6295(u)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute
as amended through the EPS Improvement Act of 2017, Public Law 115-
115 (January 12, 2018).
\2\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was redesignated as Part A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under EPCA, DOE's energy conservation program consists essentially
of four parts: (1) Testing, (2) labeling, (3) Federal energy
conservation standards, and (4) certification and enforcement
procedures. Relevant provisions of EPCA include definitions (42 U.S.C.
6291), energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C. 6295), test procedures
(42 U.S.C. 6293), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6294), and the
authority to require information and reports from manufacturers. (42
U.S.C. 6296).
The Federal testing requirements consist of test procedures that
manufacturers of covered products must use as the basis for: (1)
Certifying to DOE that their products comply with the applicable energy
conservation standards adopted pursuant to EPCA (42 U.S.C. 6295(s)),
and (2) making representations about the efficiency of those products
(42 U.S.C. 6293(c)). Similarly, DOE must use these test procedures to
determine whether the product complies with relevant standards
promulgated under EPCA. (42 U.S.C. 6295(s)).
Under 42 U.S.C. 6293, EPCA sets forth the criteria and procedures
DOE is required to follow when prescribing or amending test procedures
for covered products. EPCA requires that test procedures prescribed or
amended under this section must be reasonably designed to produce test
results which reflect the energy efficiency, energy use or estimated
annual operating cost of a covered product during a representative
average use cycle or period of use and requires that test procedures
not be unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3)) The test
procedure for external power supplies is contained in 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix Z, Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy
Consumption of External Power Supplies (``appendix Z'').
Under 10 CFR 430.27, any interested person may submit a petition
for waiver from DOE's test procedure requirements. DOE will grant a
waiver from the test procedure requirements if DOE determines either
that the basic model for which the waiver was requested contains a
design characteristic that prevents testing of the basic model
according to the prescribed test procedures, or that the prescribed
test procedures evaluate the basic model in a manner so
unrepresentative of its true energy or water consumption
characteristics as to provide materially inaccurate comparative data.
10 CFR 430.27(f)(2). DOE may grant the waiver subject to conditions,
including adherence to alternate test procedures. Id.
A petitioner may request that DOE extend the scope of a waiver or
an interim waiver to include additional basic models employing the same
technology as the basic model(s) set forth in the original petition. 10
CFR 430.27(g). DOE will publish any such extension in the Federal
Register. Id.
II. Request for an Extension of Waiver: Assertions and Determinations
DOE issued a Decision and Order in Case Number EPS-001 (March 2018
Decision and Order), granting Apple a waiver to test its Apple brand
basic models A1718, A1719, and A1540 using an alternate test procedure.
83 FR 11738 (March 16, 2018). In its petition for waiver, Apple had
stated that the specified basic models meet the provisions of the
International Electrotechincal Commission's ``Universal serial bus
interfaces for data and power--Part 1-2: Common components--USB Power
Delivery'' (``IEC 62680-1-2:2017'') specification. The IEC
specification describes the particular architecture, protocols, power
supply behavior, connectors, and cabling necessary for managing power
delivery over a universal serial bus (``USB'') connection at power
levels of up to 100 watts (``W''). The purpose behind this
specification is to help provide a standardized approach for power
supply and peripheral developers to ensure backward compatibility while
retaining product design and marketing flexibility. See generally, IEC
62680-1-2:2017 (Abstract) (describing the standard's general provisions
and purpose).
In Apple's view, applying the DOE test procedure to the adaptive
EPS basic models identified in its petitions would yield results that
would be unrepresentative of the active-mode efficiency of those
products. The DOE test procedure requires that the average active-mode
efficiency for adaptive EPSs \3\ be measured by testing the unit
twice--once at the highest achievable output voltage (``V'') and once
at the lowest. The test procedure requires that active-mode efficiency
be measured at four loading conditions relative to the nameplate output
current of the EPS. See generally 10 CFR 430.23(bb) and Appendix Z. The
lowest achievable output voltage supported by the IEC 62680-1-2:2017
specification is 5V and the nameplate current at this voltage output is
3 amps (``A''), resulting in a power output of 15W. Apple contended
that while the IEC 62680-1-2:2017 specification requires the tested EPS
to support this power output, the 15W at 5V condition will be rarely
used and only for brief periods of time. Accordingly, Apple asserted
that the DOE test procedure's measurement of efficiency at this power
level is unrepresentative of the true energy consumption of the EPSs
subject to the initial waiver request.
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\3\ An adaptive EPS is an EPS that can alter its output voltage
during active-mode based on an established digital communication
protocol with the end-use application without user-generated action.
10 CFR 430.2.
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Based on the information provided by Apple, DOE determined that the
current test procedure at Appendix Z would evaluate the adaptive EPS
basic models specified in the March 2018 Decision and Order in a manner
so unrepresentative of their true energy consumption characteristics as
to
[[Page 50907]]
provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 83 FR 11739. The March
2018 Decision and Order specifies that Apple test and rate the subject
basic models such that the 100% nameplate loading condition when
testing at the lowest achievable output voltage is 2A (which
corresponds to an output power of 10 watts). 83 FR 11740. The 75%, 50%,
and 25% loading conditions shall be scaled accordingly and the
nameplate output power of such an EPS, at the lowest output voltage,
shall be equal to 10 watts. Id.
On May 17, 2018, Apple requested to extend the scope of the waiver
it received in Case Number 2018-001, to the Apple brand basic model
A1882. Apple stated that this basic model employs the same technology
as the models covered by the existing waiver.
DOE has reviewed Apple's waiver extension request and determined
that the adaptive EPS basic model identified in Apple's request
incorporates the same design characteristics as those basic models
covered under Apple's existing waiver such that the test procedure
evaluates that basic model in a manner that is unrepresentative of its
use when charging a product that is sold or intended to be used with
the EPS. DOE also determined that the alternate procedure specified in
Case Number EPS-001 will allow for the accurate measurement of the
energy use of the basic model identified by Apple in its waiver
extension request.
III. Order
After careful consideration of all the material submitted by Apple
in this matter, it is Ordered that:
(1) Apple must test and rate the EPS of Apple brand basic model
A1882, as of the date of publication of this Extension of Waiver in the
Federal Register, as set forth in paragraph (2).
(2) The alternate test procedure for the basic model listed in
paragraph (1) of this section is the test procedure for EPSs prescribed
by DOE at 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix Z, except that under
section 4(a)(i)(E) and Table 1 of Appendix Z, the adaptive EPSs must be
tested such that when testing at the lowest achievable output voltage
(i.e., 5V), the Nameplate Output Current shall be 2A (which corresponds
to an output power of 10W at the 100% loading condition). The 75%, 50%,
and 25% loading conditions shall be scaled accordingly and the
nameplate output power of such an EPS, at the lowest output voltage,
shall be equal to 10W.
(3) Representations. Apple may not make representations about the
energy efficiency of the adaptive external power supply basic model
identified in paragraph (1) for compliance, marketing, or other
purposes unless the basic model has been tested in accordance with the
provisions set forth above and such representations fairly disclose the
results of such testing.
(4) This Extension of Waiver shall remain in effect consistent with
the provisions of 10 CFR 430.27.
(5) This Extension of Waiver is issued on the condition that the
statements, representations, and documents provided by Apple are valid.
If Apple makes any modifications to the controls or configurations of
this basic model, the waiver will no longer be valid and Apple will
either be required to use the current Federal test method or submit a
new application for a test procedure waiver. DOE may rescind or modify
this Extension of Waiver at any time if it determines the factual basis
underlying the petition for Extension of Waiver is incorrect, or the
results from the alternate test procedure are unrepresentative of the
basic model's true energy consumption characteristics. 10 CFR
430.27(k)(1). Likewise, Apple may request that DOE rescind or modify
the Extension of Waiver if the petitioner discovers an error in the
information provided to DOE as part of its petition, determines that
the Extension of Waiver is no longer needed, or for other appropriate
reasons. 10 CFR 430.27(k)(2)
(6) Granting of this extension does not release Apple from the
certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR part 429.
Signed in Washington, DC, on October 2, 2018.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2018-22004 Filed 10-9-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P