Electric Motors

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As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “electric motor” means a machine that converts electrical power to rotational mechanical power. This webpage pertains to electric motors subject to the provisions in 10 CFR 431, Subpart B and does not include small electric motors covered by 10 CFR 431, Subpart X nor dedicated-purpose pool pump motors covered by 10 CFR Subpart Z.

Current Standard | Current Test Procedure | Ongoing Rulemaking for Standards | Ongoing Rulemaking for Test Procedure | Helpful Links


Recent and Ongoing Activities

DOE has published a Federal Register direct final rule on June 1, 2023 pertaining to energy conservation standards for electric motors. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) requires DOE to periodically determine whether more-stringent, standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In this direct final rule, DOE is adopting new and amended standards for electric motors. It has determined that the new and amended standards for these products would result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified.

  • The effective date of this rule is September 29, 2023 unless adverse comment is received by September 19, 2023.
  • DOE published a notice on October 20, 2023 confirming the effective date and compliance date upon determining that the comments receive din response to the direct final rule do not provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule. Accordingly, the effective date is September 29, 2023. Compliance with the new standards established in the direct final rule is required on and after June 1, 2027.

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

Expanded Scope Electric Motors Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
  • Federal Register, 88FR87062 (December 15, 2023)
Confirmation of Effective and Compliance Dates 
  • Federal Register, 88FR72347 (October 20, 2023)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
  • Federal Register, 88FR35765 (June 1, 2023)
Direct Final Rule
  • Federal Register, 88FR36066 (June 1, 2023)

Notification of a Webinar and Availability of Preliminary TSD

Request for Information

The docket EERE-2020-BT-STD-0007 contains all notices, public comments, 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
  • Federal Register, 87FR63588 (October 19, 2022)

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

  • Federal Register, 86FR71710 (December 17, 2021).

Final rule; delay of effective date

Final Rule

  • Federal Register, 86FR7798 (February 2, 2021)
  • The effective dates of the final rule published January 4, 2021, at 86 FR 4, and the accompanying correction published January 15, 2021, at 86 FR 3747, are delayed to March 21, 2021
  • Federal Register (January 4, 2021)
Request for Information
  • Federal Register, 85FR34111 (June 2, 2020)

The docket EERE-2020-BT-TP-011 contains all notices, public comments, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

Public Meeting Information

There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

Submitting Public Comments

Comment period is closed.


Current Standard

Electric motors manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6311(7), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 431.25 through 431.26.


Current Test Procedure

Manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified in 10 CFR 431.14 through 431.21 to determine that electric motors that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards.


Helpful Links

Compliance

Labeling Requirements

DOE has established labeling requirements in section 10 CFR 431.31 through 431.32 of the Code of Regulations for the permanent nameplates of electric motors for which standards are prescribed in section 10 CFR 431.25.

Records Maintenance Requirements

DOE has established records maintenance requirements for electric motor manufacturers in section 10 CFR 431.403 of the Code of Regulations.  These requirements describe the types, organization, and retention duration of the required documentation.

Certification

DOE has established regulations on certification and compliance in section 10 CFR Part 431.35 through 431.36 of the code of Federal Regulations.

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 authorized exception relief for certain electric motors. For information on these exception relief cases, see the Office of Hearing and Appeals listing of Product Efficiency Cases.

For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.

Import and Export Provisions

10 CFR 431.404 contains provisions on importing electric motors into the United States.

10 CFR 431.405 contains provisions on exporting electric motors from the United States.

Subpoena Authority for Energy Efficiency

10 CFR 431.406 explains subpoena authority given to the Secretary of Energy related to carrying out part 431 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Confidentiality of Electric Motor Data and Information

10 CFR 431.407 explains the protocol for confidentiality requests for manufacturers or private labelers of electric motors to follow when submitting data and information to the DOE.

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 431, Subpart W.

Contact information

For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov


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