In a Federal Register notice to be published on April 9, 2014, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule amending its Energy Labeling Rule to require televisions to complete a new Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure and to provide data reporting, effective May 9, 2014.

The rule explains that, “The Commission’s Energy Labeling Rule, issued pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), requires energy labeling for major household appliances and other consumer products to help consumers compare competing models. The Rule requires manufacturers to attach yellow EnergyGuide labels on many of these products, and prohibits retailers from removing the labels or rendering them illegible.”

The FTC’s final rule includes the following amendments:

• Replace the ENERGY STAR test with the new DOE testing procedure
• Require manufacturers to submit television data through the DOE’s web-based reporting tool, the Compliance and Certification Management System (CCMS)
• Televisions with screen sizes of 15 inches or less are exempt from the final rule, as the definitions of a TV was updated

The Federal Register notice can be accessed here