On August 3, 2021, the Department of Energy (DOE) proposed revoking two energy efficiency rules issued by the prior administration.
On October 30, 2020, DOE established a new product class for standard residential dishwashers with a cycle time for the normal cycle of one hour or less from washing through drying under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. On December 16, 2020, DOE similarly established separate product classes for certain washing machines under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Energy efficiency advocates expressed concern that the new classifications would allow appliances fitting into new product classes to avoid more stringent standards. The August 2021 proposal, if finalized, would revoke both rules and reinstate the prior product classes and applicable standards for dishwashers and washing machines.