DOE has published a Federal Register Final Rule adopting amendments to the test procedures for general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs), incandescent reflector lamps (IRLs), and general service incandescent lamps (GSILs) to update references to industry test standards and provide citations to specific sections of these standards; amend definitions; reference specific sections within industry test standards for further clarity; provide test methods for measuring coloring rendering index (CRI) for incandescent lamps and measuring lifetime of IRLs; clarify test frequency and inclusion of cathode power in measurements for GSFLs; decrease the sample size and specify all metrics for all lamps be measured from the same sample; and align terminology across relevant sections of the Code of Federal Regulations relating to GSFLs, IRLs and GSILs.

• The effective date of this rule is September 30, 2022.
• The final rule changes will be mandatory for product testing February 27, 2023. 
• The incorporation by reference of certain material listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 30, 2022. 
• The incorporation by reference of certain other material listed in this rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 30, 1997, March 23, 2009, September 14, 2009, and February 27, 2012.

DOE has published a Federal Register notice proposing to amend the test procedures for general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs), incandescent reflector lamps (IRLs), and general service incandescent lamps (GSILs) to update to the latest versions of the referenced industry test standards and provide cites to specific sections of these standards; to clarify definitions, test conditions and methods, and measurement procedures; to clarify test frequency and inclusion of cathode power in measurements for GSFLs; to provide a test method for measuring color rendering index (CRI) of GSILs and IRLs and for measuring lifetime of IRLs; to allow manufacturers to make voluntary (optional) representations of GSFLs at high frequency settings; to revise the sampling requirements; and to align sampling and certification requirements with proposed test procedure terminology and with the Federal Trade Commission’s labeling program.  DOE is seeking comment from interested parties on the proposal.

DOE has published a Federal Register notice initiating a data collection process through this request for information (RFI), to consider whether to amend DOE’s current energy conservation standards for general service fluorescent lamps (GSFLs) and incandescent reflector lamps (IRLs). This RFI solicits information from the public to help DOE determine whether amended standards for GSFLs and IRLs would result in significant energy savings and whether such standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified.

• Frequently Asked Questions on the Request for Information pertaining to Standards for General Service Fluorescent Lamps and Incandescent Reflector Lamps.

DOE has published a Federal Register notice initiating a data collection process through a Request for Information (RFI) to consider whether to amend DOE’s test procedures for incandescent reflector lamps. 82 FR 37031 (August 8, 2017).

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.

IRLs manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 430.32(n).

DOE excludes R20 shot lamps from coverage under the EPCA energy conservation standards.

To determine that IRLs that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 430.23(r). The methods to conduct the test procedure are further specified in 10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix R.