{"abstract":"In this final rule, the U.S. Department of Energy (\"DOE\") has adopted a streamlined approach to its test procedure waiver decision-making process that requires the Department to notify, in writing, an applicant for an interim waiver of the disposition of the request within 45 business days of receipt of the application. An interim waiver will remain in effect until a final waiver decision is published in the Federal Register or until DOE publishes a new or amended test procedure that addresses the issues presented in the application, whichever is earlier. DOE's regulations continue to specify that DOE will take either of these actions within 1 year of issuance of an interim waiver. This final rule addresses delays in DOE's current process for considering requests for interim waivers and waivers from the DOE test method, which in turn can result in significant delays for manufacturers in bringing new and innovative products to market. This final rule requires the Department to process interim waiver requests within the 45 business day window and clarifies the process by which interested stakeholders provide input into the development of an appropriate test procedure waiver.","action":"Final rule.","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY","name":"Energy Department","id":136,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/energy-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/136","parent_id":null,"slug":"energy-department"}],"body_html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/html/2020/12/11/2020-26321.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":"430","title":10},{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":"431","title":10}],"citation":"85 FR 79802","comment_url":null,"comments_close_on":null,"correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"The effective date of this rule is January 11, 2021.","disposition_notes":null,"docket_ids":["EERE-2019-BT-NOA-0011"],"dockets":[],"document_number":"2020-26321","effective_on":"2021-01-11","end_page":79821,"executive_order_notes":null,"executive_order_number":null,"full_text_xml_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/xml/2020/12/11/2020-26321.xml","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/11/2020-26321/test-procedure-interim-waiver-process","images":{},"images_metadata":{},"json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents/2020-26321?publication_date=2020-12-11","mods_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/metadata/granule/FR-2020-12-11/2020-26321/mods.xml","not_received_for_publication":null,"page_length":20,"page_views":{"count":783,"last_updated":"2026-09-21 00:15:04 -0400"},"pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-12-11/pdf/2020-26321.pdf","presidential_document_number":null,"proclamation_number":null,"public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-26321.pdf?1607607921","publication_date":"2020-12-11","raw_text_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/text/2020/12/11/2020-26321.txt","regulation_id_number_info":{"1904-AE24":{"issue":"202110","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1904-AE24/test-procedure-interim-waiver-process","title":"Test Procedure Interim Waiver Process","xml_url":"http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=202110&RIN=1904-AE24&operation=OPERATION_EXPORT_XML","priority_category":"Other Significant"}},"regulation_id_numbers":["1904-AE24"],"regulations_dot_gov_info":{"supporting_documents":[{"title":"Documentation of Changes between the draft Final Rule submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and the issued Final Rule","document_id":"EERE-2019-BT-NOA-0011-0057"},{"title":"2019-07-11  Transcript:  Webinar Test Procedure Interim Waiver Process U.S. Dept. of Energy","document_id":"EERE-2019-BT-NOA-0011-0031"},{"title":"DOE notes of teleconference between DOE and representative of SBA Office of Advocacy","document_id":"EERE-2019-BT-NOA-0011-0028"},{"title":"DOE Test Procedure Waiver PR Roundtable Attendees 6.26.19","document_id":"EERE-2019-BT-NOA-0011-0027"},{"title":"Frequently Asked Questions - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking pertaining to the Test Procedure Interim Waiver Process","document_id":"EERE-2019-BT-NOA-0011-0019"},{"title":"2019-05-22  DOE response to letter requesting a webinar on the test procedure interim waiver proposed rule","document_id":"EERE-2019-BT-NOA-0011-0006"},{"title":"2019-05-15  DOE response to letter requesting a public meeting on the test procedure interim waiver proposed rule","document_id":"EERE-2019-BT-NOA-0011-0004"}],"regulatory_plan":{"html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1904-AE24/test-procedure-interim-waiver-process","title":"Test Procedure Interim Waiver Process"},"comments_count":0,"agency_id":"EERE","comments_url":"https://www.regulations.gov/docketBrowser?rpp=50&so=DESC&sb=postedDate&po=0&dct=PS&D=EERE-2019-BT-NOA-0011","supporting_documents_count":7,"docket_id":"EERE-2019-BT-NOA-0011","document_id":"EERE-2019-BT-NOA-0011-0056","regulation_id_number":"1904-AE24","title":"Amendments to Streamline the Test Procedure Interim Waiver Process","checked_regulationsdotgov_at":"2020-12-14T04:30:08Z"},"regulations_dot_gov_url":null,"significant":true,"signing_date":null,"start_page":79802,"subtype":null,"title":"Test Procedure Interim Waiver Process","toc_doc":"Test Procedure Interim Waiver Process","toc_subject":null,"topics":["Administrative practice and procedure","Confidential business information","Energy conservation","Household appliances","Imports","Incorporation by reference","Intergovernmental relations","Reporting and recordkeeping requirements","Small businesses"],"type":"Rule","volume":85}