DOE Issues a Final Rule Pertaining to Test Procedures for Commercial Prerinse Spray Valves

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a pre-publication Federal Register final rule pertaining to test procedures for commercial prerinse spray valves. This final rule incorporates by reference the current version of the industry testing standard for commercial prerinse spray valves (ASTM F2324-13 [R2019]: Standard Test Method for Prerinse Spray Valves), which will not substantively change the current test procedure.

The DOE also amends the definition of a commercial prerinse spray valve as follows to codify existing guidance on how to apply the definition: “a handheld device that has a release-to-close valve and is suitable for removing food residue from food service items before cleaning them in commercial dishwashing or ware-washing equipment based on any or all of the following: (1) Equipment design and representations (for example, whether equipment is represented as being capable of rinsing dishes as compared to equipment that is represented exclusively for washing walls and floors or animal washing); (2) Channels of marketing and sales (for example, whether equipment is marketed or sold through outlets that market or sell to foodservice entities); (3) Actual sales (including whether the end-users are restaurants or commercial or institutional kitchens, even if those sales are indirectly through an entity such as a distributor).”

This amended definition does not change the current scope of the test procedure.

The amendments also explicitly permit voluntary testing using a test pressure other than the test pressure required for determining compliance with the standards

The effective date of this rule is 30 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. The final rule changes will be mandatory for product testing starting 180 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. The incorporation by reference of certain material listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register 30 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. The DOE will send a follow-up e-mail once the notice publishes to announce the effective dates.

You can find product information for commercial prerinse spray valves including current standards and test procedures, statutory authority, waivers, exceptions, and contact information on the U.S. DOE’s website.

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