# 2026-00690: Old Energy Labels Retired: Mandatory Ones Take Over

2026-00690, Removing Obsolete Regulations Establishing Procedures for a Voluntary Labeling Program for Household Appliances and Equipment To Effect Energy Conservation, is a Federal Register rule from Commerce Department published 2026-01-15, effective 2026-01-15 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00690
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00690
- Title: Removing Obsolete Regulations Establishing Procedures for a Voluntary Labeling Program for Household Appliances and Equipment To Effect Energy Conservation
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department
- Citation: 91 FR 1680
- Published: 2026-01-15
- Effective: 2026-01-15
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 0605-AA72
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Old Energy Labels Retired: Mandatory Ones Take Over

## Summary

The Department of Commerce is officially ending its old voluntary energy label program for household appliances because a newer, mandatory EnergyGuide label run by other agencies already does the job better. This change clears up confusion, cuts out duplicate rules, and takes effect on January 15, 2026. Appliance makers and shoppers will now rely solely on the EnergyGuide labels to compare energy use and save money.

## Abstract

By this rule, the Department of Commerce is removing its regulations establishing a voluntary labeling program for household appliances and equipment designed to promote energy conservation. This action is necessary because the voluntary program is obsolete and has been superseded by the comprehensive Appliance Labeling Rule, administered by the Department of Energy and the Federal Trade Commission, which mandates manufacturers attach EnergyGuide labels to their products to help consumers compare different products and make informed purchasing decisions. The intended effect of this removal is to streamline the regulatory code, eliminate a duplicative and unnecessary program, and reduce the potential for public confusion.

## Effects PRIA read

- EnergyGuide Becomes Sole Appliance Label: benefit, low. On January 15, 2026, the Department of Commerce removed its voluntary appliance labeling program (15 CFR part 9). You as a shopper will now rely solely on the mandatory EnergyGuide labels administered by the Department of Energy and the Federal Trade Commission to compare appliance energy use and s…
- Voluntary Label Program Removed for Manufacturers: benefit, low. Effective January 15, 2026, the Department of Commerce removed 15 CFR part 9, ending its voluntary energy labeling program for household appliances that was created in 1973. Appliance manufacturers no longer have a Commerce-run voluntary labeling option and will instead operate under the mandatory…

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## Sources
- [2026-00690 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/15/2026-00690/removing-obsolete-regulations-establishing-procedures-for-a-voluntary-labeling-program-for-household)
- [2026-00690 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-15/pdf/2026-00690.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00689, Removing Outdated and Overly-Prescriptive Regulations Governing the Use of Pena…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00689)
- [Next: 2026-00691, Survey of International Trade in Services Between U.S. and Foreign Persons and…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00691)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00690 (as of 2026-06-11).