On January 19, 2022, the Department of Energy finalized a rule 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 and dryers 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 January 2022 final rule revokes both rules and reinstates the prior product classes and applicable standards for dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers.