Appliance and Equipment Energy and Water Energy Efficiency Standards Regulation

The purpose of these Regulations is to codify new statewide water and energy efficiency standards for appliance and equipment pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-27.1.

A.Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-27.1-2 and as defined therein, these regulations apply to the following appliances:

1.Commercial dishwashers

2.Commercial Fryers

3.Commercial hot-food holding cabinets

4.Commercial ovens

5.Commercial steam cookers

6.Electric vehicle supply equipment

7.Faucets

8.Gas fireplaces

9.Portable electric spas

10.Residential ventilating fans

11.Showerheads

12.Spray sprinkler bodies

13.Urinals

14.Water closets

15.Water coolers

B.The rules and regulations do not apply to the following:

1.New products manufactured in the State and sold outside the State.

2.New products manufactured outside the State and sold at wholesale inside the State for final retail sale and installation outside the State.

3.Products installed in mobile manufactured homes at the time of construction.

4.Products designed expressly for installation and use in recreational vehicles.

For purposes of this chapter, definitions are in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-27.1-2.

A.The Office of Energy Resources shall have the authority to promulgate minimum efficiency standards pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-27.1-4 The Office of Energy Resources may adopt, amend, and implement such Rules and Regulations as may be necessary to implement the Chapter.

B.Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-27.1-7, the Commissioner of the Office of Energy Resources shall have the authority to adopt and update procedures, certification processes, and product labeling requirements for covered appliances, as necessary, to ensure manufacturer compliance with established Regulations.

A.As of the effective date of these Regulations, minimum product standards for covered appliances shall be pursuant to R.I. Gen. Law § 39-27.1-4, until such time as the Office of Energy Resources and its Commissioner issue updates or amendments to those standards.

B.The manufacturers of products covered by this chapter shall test samples of their products in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-27.1-1, et seq.

C.Manufacturers of new products covered by R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-27.1-3 shall certify to the Commissioner that the products are in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter. The certifications shall be based on test results. The manufacturer shall submit to the Commissioner, another State, or a third (3^rd) party as designated by the Commissioner in guidelines a certification statement listing all new appliance models covered by R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-27.1-3. The certification statement requirements shall be set forth in the guidelines. The Commissioner shall coordinate with the certification programs of other State and Federal agencies with similar standards.

D.Manufacturers of new products covered by R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-27.1-3 shall identify each product offered for sale or installation in the State as in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter by means of a mark, label, or tag on the product and packaging at the time of sale or installation. Sufficient information shall be shown on the outside of the shipping carton for any appliance (and unit carton in the case of plumbing fittings) to permit the determination of whether the appliance or fitting complies with the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-27.1-3. The appropriate measure of energy or water consumption, the model number as it has been certified, or any label earned as part of the certification process may be used for this purpose and shall be deemed as providing sufficient information to determine compliance. The Commissioner or his/her designee may require additional information, if necessary, to permit determination of compliance. The manufacturer’s name or brand name shall appear on each appliance. The Commissioner shall coordinate to the greatest practical extent with the labeling programs of other State and Federal agencies with equivalent efficiency standards. The Commissioner shall allow the use of existing marks, labels, or tags, that connote compliance with the efficiency requirements of this Chapter.

If any provision of these Regulations, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder of the Regulations shall not be affected thereby.

The terms and provisions of these Regulations shall be liberally construed to permit the Office of Energy Resources to effectuate the purposes of State law, goals, and policies.

A.The effective date of these Regulations is pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-27.1-5.

B.The adopted Regulation shall remain in effect from June 1, 2022 through June 1, 2027 and the Office of Energy Resources shall have the authority to review and update these Regulations if deemed warranted by the Office. The Office of Energy Resources shall make a determination on whether to update such Regulations by January 31, 2027.