State Energy Efficiency Policy Database

Policy: California Code of Regulations, Title 20, Sections 1601 - 1608

Description: California was the first state in the country to adopt appliance and equipment efficiency standards. The authority to adopt appliance and equipment efficiency standards was bestowed upon the California Energy Commission as stipulated under the Warren-Alquist Act, which was enacted in 1974. Over the years, Californiahas adopted standards on more than 50 products, many of which have subsequently become federal standards. California’s 2006 Appliance Efficiency Regulations became effective on December 30, 2005, replacing all previous versions of the regulations. The Regulations create standards for twenty-one categories of appliances, including standards for both federally-regulated and non-federally-regulated appliances.

Presently, California has adopted standards for ten products that are not covered by federal standards. California adopted standards for general service incandescent light bulbs, which became effective January 1, 2011, however federal standards for general service incandescent light bulbs became effective January 1, 2012, thereby preempting the California standards. California also sets its own standards for metal halide lamp fixtures that are more stringent than the federal standards, which became effective in 2009. And on September 2, 2010, California's Office of Administrative Law approved the introduction of efficiency standards for televisions, making California the first state to introduce standards for televisions, effective 2011 with an updated standard becoming effective in 2013.

Links:

• For an overview of California's standards, please visit DSIRE.
• To read the text of the regulations, please click here.
• Visit ASAP to peruse the list of products for which California has adopted standards.
• Please visit the California Energy Commission for additional information on California's efficiency standards.

Contact:

Appliance Efficiency Program

California Energy Commission

1516 Ninth Street, MS-25

Sacramento, CA 95814-5512

Telephone: 916.654.4091

Email: appliances@energy.state.ca.us