As the Department of Energy began ramping up its focus on energy-efficiency, the Office of the General Counsel stepped up enforcement and verification efforts to ensure manufacturers meet the energy and water conservation standards expected of them and save energy for American consumers and businesses. In 2010, DOE created a new Office of Enforcement in the Office of the General Counsel. This page provides information about actions the new Office is taking to improve compliance and to enforce the appliance energy conservation standards.
Recent enforcement initiatives go beyond compliance with energy-efficiency standards. We are working to protect consumers through verification and supporting the enforcement of Energy Star specifications to ensure that manufacturers offer the energy savings they advertise.
File a complaint to energyefficiencyenforcement@hq.doe.gov. The Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement will protect the identity of complainants to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Enforcement Guidance
- Guidance on the Imposition of Civil Penalties for Violations of EPCA Conservation Standards and Certification Obligations
- Guidance Concerning Certification Following a Change in the Applicable Energy or Water Conservation Standard
- Guidance Concerning Applicable Sampling Plan for Certification of Consumer Products
- Guidance Concerning Consumer/Commercial Distinction
- Guidance Concerning Enforcement of EISA 2007 Standards for Candelabra and Intermediate Base Lamps
- Guidance on the Application of Waivers and on the Waiver Process
- Guidance on Energy-Efficiency Enforcement Regulations