Air cleaners, clothes dryers, miscellaneous refrigeration products, and portable electric spas; modifications to existing labels for clothes washers, televisions, and several heating products; Energy efficiency. Energy conservation in general (ICS code(s): 27.015); Television receivers (ICS code(s): 33.160.25); Domestic refrigerating appliances (ICS code(s): 97.040.30); Laundry appliances (ICS code(s): 97.060); Domestic, commercial and industrial heating appliances (ICS code(s): 97.100); Commercial refrigerating appliances (ICS code(s): 97.130.20); Miscellaneous domestic and commercial equipment (ICS code(s): 97.180)

Energy Labeling Rule: Extension of Comment Period

On 2 February 2024 (89 FR 7566), the Commission published in the Federal Register an NPRM concerning the Energy Labeling Rule ("Rule"), with a comment deadline of 2 April 2024. The Commission published the NPRM to seek public comments on potential changes to the Rule, including: (1) labels for air cleaners, clothes dryers, miscellaneous refrigeration products, and portable electric spas; (2) modifications to existing labels for clothes washers, televisions, and several heating products; (3) revisions to the current requirements for affixing labels on showroom models; and (4) several minor amendments to improve the Rule. The Consumer Technology Association ("CTA"), representing interested industry members, has subsequently requested a 17-day extension of the public comment period in order to complete consumer research which it intends to submit in this proceeding. No commenters have objected to CTA's request.

The Commission agrees that allowing additional time for filing comments in response to the NPRM would help facilitate the creation of a more complete record. Given the short duration of the extension, the specificity of the request, and the lack of opposition to such an extension, the Commission has therefore decided to extend the comment period to 19 April 2024. This extension will provide CTA adequate time to complete its consumer research.

This comment extension is identified by Docket Number FTC-2024-0008. The Docket Folder is available on Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FTC-2024-0008/document and provides access to primary documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by searching the Docket Number. WTO Members and their stakeholders are asked to submit comments to the USA TBT Enquiry Point by or before 4pm Eastern Time on 19 April 2024. Comments received by the USA TBT Enquiry Point from WTO Members and their stakeholders will be shared with FTC and will also be submitted to the Docket on Regulations.gov if received within the comment period.