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As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “commercial clothes washer” means a soft-mounted front-loading or soft-mounted top-loading clothes washer that: (1) Has a clothes container compartment that (i) For horizontal-axis clothes washers, is not more than 3.5 cubic feet; and (ii) For vertical-axis clothes washers, is not more than 4.0 cubic feet; and (2) Is designed for use in: (i) Applications in which the occupants of more than one household will be using the clothes washer, such as multifamily housing common areas and coin laundries; or (ii) Other commercial applications. 10 CFR 431.152 Manufacturers have been required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for commercial clothes washers since 2007.
DOE has published a Federal Register final rule amending the test procedures for residential and commercial clothes washers and consumer clothes dryers to update the test cloth specifications. DOE is also reorganizing the test procedures for improved readability. DOE is conducting this rulemaking to address specific issues and to make minor corrections to the current test procedures. This rulemaking does not satisfy the statutory requirement that, at least once every 7 years, DOE review the test procedures for clothes washers and consumer clothes dryers.
- The effective date of this rule is February 18, 2025.
- The amendments will be mandatory for product testing starting July 16, 2025.
- The incorporation by reference of certain material listed in the rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 1, 2022.
For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.
Standards
Notification of Proposed Determination - Federal Register, 86FR71840 (December 20, 2021)
Request for Information - Federal Register, 85FR44795 (July 24, 2020)
- Frequently Asked Questions
The commercial clothes washer energy conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE-2019-BT-STD-0044 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Public Meeting Information
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
The comment period is closed.
Test Procedure
Final Rule; Test Cloth Specifications - Federal Register, 90FR5519 (January 17, 2025
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Test Cloth Specifications - Federal Register, 89FR87803 (November 5, 2024)
Final Rule; Correcting Amendments
Final Rule
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Extension of Comment Period
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Request for Information; Reopening of Public Comment Period
Request for Information
- Federal Register, 85FR38106 (June 26, 2020)
- Federal Register, 85FR31065. (May 22, 2020)
- Frequently Asked Questions
The clothes washer test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2016-BT-TP-0011 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Public Meeting Information
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
The comment period is closed.
Commercial clothes washers manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 431.156.
To determine that commercial clothes washers that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 431.154.
The Test Cloth Correction Factors page contains the information used to determine the test cloth correction factors for each test cloth lot.
Compliance
DOE has established regulations on certification, compliance, and enforcement in the CFR at 10 CFR Part 429. These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement. More information on these regulations is available here.
Waivers
For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage.
For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 431.401.
Exceptions
DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for commercial clothes washers.
For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.
Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions
For information on further guidance and answers to frequently asked questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.
State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption
DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR part 431, subpart W.
ENERGY STAR®
DOE supports the testing and verification of ENERGY STAR products in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov