Press Releases

On March 7, 2011, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a final rule that imposed blanket third-party certification requirements for all products applying for participation in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR program.  Unfortunately, the rule disregarded successful and existing industry programs and has increased the regulatory burden on manufacturers, as well as the cost of testing for manufacturers and the federal government.

The ENERGY STAR Regulatory Improvement Act, today introduced by Representatives Steve Womack (AR-3), Jim Matheson (UT-4), and Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), addresses the ENERGY STAR program’s third-party certification requirement and its impact on the consumer electronics industry – which represents more than half of the savings generated by the ENERGY STAR program – by  allowing electronics manufacturers to earn their way out of the EPA’s burdensome requirement with a demonstrated track record of compliance.

The original sponsors released the below statements:

“This onerous and unnecessary EPA requirement is doing a disservice to the ENERGY STAR brand, which American taxpayers and businesses have spent a good deal of money to build,” said Womack.  “Rather than force companies to consider putting their products on the market without receiving ENERGY STAR certification, even though most would likely qualify, we should ease the process to allow companies to get their products certified and quickly on shelves for consumers trying to stay on the cutting edge of technology.”

“Investing in energy efficiency is a great way to create jobs, save money, and build a better future for our country,” said Matheson.  “The EPA’s mandatory third-party certification requirement for ENERGY STAR products is creating unnecessary costs and is time consuming for several small businesses, driving many away from participating in the program.  This bipartisan bill offers exemptions from the costly and burdensome testing requirements for sectors with strong records of compliance with ENERGY STAR, while still maintaining the integrity of the program.”

“This bipartisan bill would remove unnecessary hurdles for small businesses to comply with ENERGY STAR requirements and gets government out of the way of the folks who have shown they are dedicated to creating energy efficient products,” said Kinzinger.  “It is time Washington starts supporting innovators instead of stifling them with excessive regulations.  The EPA’s current third-party certification requirements is holding back the very companies that want to invest in energy efficiency and preventing consumers from benefitting from new, efficient technologies.”

The final text of the bill can be found here.

###