Ottawa, ON — Canada is moving forward with its intent to develop a new amendment to increase the energy efficiency for all new home appliances to Energy Star levels. This comes as Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) recently updated their Forward Regulatory Plan 2021-2023 to include steps to develop Amendment 17.
Between 2021 and 2023, NRCan intends to move forward with Amendment 17 to the Energy Efficiency Regulations. This will increase the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) of major household appliances, like refrigerators, freezers, and dishwashers, to the energy efficiency performance levels required through Energy Star certification.
It will also update testing standards and MEPs for central air conditioners and heat pumps to align with new requirements set to come into force in the United States in 2023. For more information on the harmonization of regulations related to central air conditioners and heat pumps, please visit http://staging4.plumbingandhvac.ca/canada-looking-to-harmonize-test-standards-with-u-s-for-central-a-c-heat-pumps/.
In addition, Amendment 17 would make miscellaneous updates to scope, reporting and compliance requirements for some regulated products to reflect updated requirements in the United States and Canada.
“Improving energy efficiency standards and decreasing regulatory burden provides both economic and environmental benefits to Canada,” according to the federal government.
Stakeholders should visit the Amendment 17 webpage for more information and to register for webinars related to each product affected by the amendment, according to NRCan.
A pre-consultation period is set to begin in spring 2021; the pre-publication period in the Canada Gazette, Part One is set for fall 2021. The exact date for final publication of the amendment will depend on the number and nature of comments received during the comment period, but are typically within a year of the initial public comment period, reports NRCan. Products included in the update and the timing of the publication are subject to “decision-making” authorities under the Energy Efficiency Act.
Amendment 17 was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan on Dec. 29, 2020 and updated on April 16, 2021. The Energy Efficiency Act was implemented in 1995.