Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Microwave Ovens

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published an interim final rule on March 9, 2011, amending its test procedures for microwave ovens under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to provide for the measurement of standby mode and off mode power use by microwave ovens. Those amendments incorporated into the DOE test procedure provisions from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard 62301, "Household electrical appliances--Measurement of standby power," First Edition 2005-06 (IEC Standard 62301 (First Edition)). In addition, those amendments adopted in the DOE test procedure definitions of modes based on the relevant provisions from the IEC Standard 62301 Second Edition, Final Draft International Standard (IEC Standard 62301 (FDIS)), as well as language to clarify application of these provisions for measuring standby mode and off mode power consumption in microwave ovens. Just prior to publication of the interim final rule, the IEC replaced the First Edition of this standard with the current Second Edition. This supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking proposes to incorporate the latest edition of IEC Standard 62301.