FTC Proposes Changes to EnergyGuide TV Labeling

The FTC is proposing changes to its EnergyGuide TV labeling rule to bring its TV testing and reporting requirements in conformity with the new Department of Energy TV test procedure that takes effect April 23, the commission said Dec. 18 (here). Under the proposed changes, the FTC will replace references to Energy Star tests on the yellow EnergyGuide labels with references to the new DOE test procedure, it said. It’s also proposing a new reporting requirement "consistent with" most other EnergyGuide-labeled products, including refrigerators and washing machines, it said. Though TV makers have until April 23 to submit their energy data through DOE’s Web-based tool, the FTC is proposing not to require them to submit annual data reports to the commission for the EnergyGuide labels until May 1 of each year, it said. After the FTC reviews the new data under the DOE test procedure, "it will consider issuing updated comparability ranges" for EnergyGuide TV labels, it said. As before, the FTC will require each EnergyGuide label to bear the TV's brand name, model number, screen size, wattage consumed in various modes and kilowatt-hours per year consumed for each basic model in current production, it said. Comments on the proposed changes will be due 45 days after the rulemaking notice is published in the Federal Register, it said.