News

US EPA Revises External Power Specs and Delays Tier 2 Implementation

February 28, 2006 by Jeff Shepard

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a memo announcing the release of Version 1.1 of the ENERGY STAR single voltage external ac-dc and ac-ac power supplies (EPS) specification and delaying the Tier 2 requirements until January 1, 2008. The original effective date for the Tier 2 requirements was July 1, 2006.

This new Version 1.1 specification includes two key changes: Removal of the exclusion for the products now covered under the ENERGY STAR battery charging systems (BCS) specification. And revision of the language for the diverse range of power conversion products covered under either this Version 1.1 EPS specification or the newly finalized ENERGY STAR BCS specification, and guidance on how partners should use the two specifications to determine the eligibility of products.

EPA's intent in developing the EPS and BCS specifications was to comprehensively cover the majority of power conversion products. Upon finalization of the BCS specification, EPA determined that the exclusion for these products in the EPS specification was no longer necessary. Therefore, the language for the exclusion was removed, as these products are now covered under the BCS specification.

At the same time, the EPA announced the delay of the Tier 2 requirements for EPSs, originally proposed to take effect on July 1, 2006. At this time, Tier 1 requirements will remain in effect until Tier 2 requirements are finalized and become effective. In the coming months EPA will determine a revised schedule for the implementation of Tier 2 requirements. EPA is currently considering a target effective date of January 1, 2008 for the Tier 2 requirements. EPA is delaying Tier 2 to ensure that the new specification levels are based on sufficient data.

With the recent release of the Online Product Submittal (OPS) tool for EPSs, EPA expects an increase in new model submissions to supplement the current list of qualified external power supplies. EPA considers continued data collection an important element to create Tier 2 specification levels that are both fair and challenging.

EPA will use qualified product data already provided by manufacturers as well as new model information provided through the OPS system to develop proposed Tier 2 no-load and active mode requirements. Proposed requirements will be shared with stakeholders for review and comment. Once Tier 2 is finalized, EPA will allow manufacturers at least nine months to transition to the new requirements before they become effective.