Department of Energy July 18, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule classifies a variety of refrigeration products that are collectively described as ``miscellaneous refrigeration products''i.e., ``MREFs,'' as a covered product under Part A of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (``EPCA''), as amended. These products include different types of refrigeration devices that include one or more compartments that maintain higher temperatures than typical refrigerator compartments, such as wine chillers and beverage coolers. Additionally, this final rule amends or establishes certain definitions related to these products and establishes test procedures for certain classes of MREFs. These procedures are based an earlier proposal the Department of Energy published on December 16, 2014, along with additional feedback provided as part of a negotiated rulemaking effort focusing on these products. The test procedures follow the same general methodology as those currently in place for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. Through this rule, the test procedures for MREFs will be codified. This rule also establishes similar clarifying amendments for freezers.