The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a pre-publication Federal Register Final Rule pertaining to the definition of showerheads. Specifically, the DOE has tentatively determined that all showerheads within a product containing multiple showerheads will be considered part of a single showerhead for determining compliance with the 2.5-gallons-per-minute (gpm) standard developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
On July 22, 2021, the DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) to revise the current definition of “showerhead” adopted in the December 16, 2020 final rule (December 2020 Final Rule) by reinstating the October 2013 definition of “showerhead,” withdraw the December 2020 Final Rule’s interpretation of the term “showerhead,” and withdraw the associated definition for “body spray.” The DOE did not propose any changes to the definition of “safety shower showerhead.”
In this final rule, the DOE revises the current definition of “showerhead” adopted in the December 2020 Final Rule by reinstating the October 2013 definition of “showerhead” as the Department finds that it is more consistent with the purposes of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (EPCA). In addition, the DOE removes the current definition of “body spray” adopted in the December 16, 2020 final rule. Finally, DOE maintains the definition of “safety shower showerhead” adopted in the December 2020 final rule.
The effective date of this rule is 30 days after the notice has published in the Federal Register. Click here to find product information for showerheads, including current standards and test procedures, statutory authority, waivers, exceptions, and contact information.
