The General Counsel’s enforcement office recently resolved enforcement actions against two companies that failed to submit required reports to certify that their commercial refrigeration equipment complies with federal energy conservation standards. DOE assessed civil penalties of $8,000 from both Atosa Catering Equipment, Inc. and RPI Industries, Inc.  As part of each settlement, each manufacturer must submit the required certification reports, which include a certification that the equipment has been tested in accordance with the DOE test procedure and that the equipment meets the applicable standard.

Each company that imports or domestically produces covered products or equipment must submit to DOE a report certifying that its products or equipment comply with applicable federal energy and water conservation standards. Certification is an important part of developing an effective program for ensuring that consumer products and commercial equipment manufactured for distribution in the United States save consumers money while minimizing their impact on the environment. DOE relies on manufacturer’s self-certification in concert with Departmental testing to ensure manufacturers accurately represent the compliance of their products and equipment.

Documents related to certification violations are available here.