---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 6296"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "6296"
heading: "Requirements of manufacturers"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/6296"
units:
  - "Chapter 77 — Energy Conservation"
  - "Subchapter III — Improving Energy Efficiency"
  - "Part A — Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles"
---

# §6296. Requirements of manufacturers

- (a) **In general—** Each [manufacturer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12) of a [covered product](/usc/42/6291.md?p=2) to which a rule under [section 6294 of this title](/usc/42/6294.md) applies shall provide a [label](/usc/42/6311.md?p=6) which meets, and is displayed in accordance with, the requirements of such rule. If such [manufacturer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12) or any [distributor](/usc/42/6291.md?p=14), [retailer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=13), or [private labeler](/usc/42/6291.md?p=15-A) of such product advertises such product in a catalog from which it may be purchased, such catalog shall contain all information required to be displayed on the [label](/usc/42/6311.md?p=6), except as otherwise provided by rule of the [Commission](/usc/42/6291.md?p=18). The preceding sentence shall not require that a catalog contain information respecting a [covered product](/usc/42/6291.md?p=2) if the distribution of such catalog commenced before the effective date of the labeling rule under [section 6294 of this title](/usc/42/6294.md) applicable to such product.
- (b) **Notification—**
  - (1) Each [manufacturer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12) of a [covered product](/usc/42/6291.md?p=2) to which a rule under [section 6294 of this title](/usc/42/6294.md) applies shall notify the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) or the [Commission](/usc/42/6291.md?p=18)—
    - (A) not later than 60 days after the date such rule takes effect, of the models in current production (and starting serial numbers of those models) to which such rule applies; and
    - (B) prior to commencement of production, of all models subsequently produced (and starting serial numbers of those models) to which such rule applies.
  - (2) If requested by the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) or [Commission](/usc/42/6291.md?p=18), the [manufacturer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12) of a [covered product](/usc/42/6291.md?p=2) to which a rule under [section 6294 of this title](/usc/42/6294.md) applies shall provide, within 30 days of the date of the request, the data from which the information included on the [label](/usc/42/6311.md?p=6) and required by the rule was derived. Data shall be kept on file by the [manufacturer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12) for a period specified in the rule.
  - (3) When requested—
    - (A) by the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) for purposes of ascertaining whether a product subject to a standard established in or prescribed under [section 6295 of this title](/usc/42/6295.md) is in compliance with that standard, or
    - (B) by the [Commission](/usc/42/6291.md?p=18) for purposes of ascertaining whether the information set out on a [label](/usc/42/6311.md?p=6) of a product, as required under [section 6294 of this title](/usc/42/6294.md), is accurate,

    each [manufacturer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12) of such a product shall supply at his expense a reasonable number of such [covered products](/usc/42/6291.md?p=2) to any laboratory designated by the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) or the [Commission](/usc/42/6291.md?p=18), as the case may be. Any reasonable charge levied by the laboratory for such testing shall be borne by the [United States](/usc/42/6202.md?p=5), if and to the extent provided in appropriation Acts.

  - (4) Each [manufacturer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12) of a [covered product](/usc/42/6291.md?p=2) to which a rule under [section 6294 of this title](/usc/42/6294.md) applies shall annually, at a time specified by the [Commission](/usc/42/6291.md?p=18), supply to the [Commission](/usc/42/6291.md?p=18) relevant data respecting [energy](/usc/42/6291.md?p=3) consumption or [water use](/usc/42/6291.md?p=31-A) developed in accordance with the test procedures applicable to such product under [section 6293 of this title](/usc/42/6293.md).
  - (5) A rule under section [6293](/usc/42/6293.md), [6294](/usc/42/6294.md), or [6295](/usc/42/6295.md) of this title may require the [manufacturer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12) or his agent to permit a representative designated by the [Commission](/usc/42/6291.md?p=18) or the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) to observe any testing required by this part and inspect the results of such testing.
- (c) **Deadline—** Each [manufacturer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12) shall use [labels](/usc/42/6311.md?p=6) reflecting the range data required to be disclosed under [section 6294(c)(1)(B) of this title](/usc/42/6294.md?p=c-1-B) after the expiration of 60 days following the date of publication of any revised table of ranges unless the rule under [section 6294 of this title](/usc/42/6294.md) provides for a later date. The [Commission](/usc/42/6291.md?p=18) may not require [labels](/usc/42/6311.md?p=6) be changed to reflect revised tables of ranges more often than annually.
- (d) **Information requirements—**
  - (1) For purposes of carrying out this part, the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) may require, under this part or other provision of law administered by the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1), each [manufacturer](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12) of a [covered product](/usc/42/6291.md?p=2) to submit information or reports to the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) with respect to [energy efficiency](/usc/42/6291.md?p=5), [energy use](/usc/42/6291.md?p=4), or, in the case of [showerheads](/usc/42/6291.md?p=31-D), [faucets](/usc/42/6291.md?p=31-E), [water closets](/usc/42/6291.md?p=31-F), and [urinals](/usc/42/6291.md?p=31-G), [water use](/usc/42/6291.md?p=31-A) of such [covered product](/usc/42/6291.md?p=2) and the economic impact of any proposed [energy conservation standard](/usc/42/6291.md?p=6), as the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) determines may be necessary to establish and revise test procedures, labeling rules, and [energy conservation standards](/usc/42/6291.md?p=6) for such product and to insure compliance with the requirements of this part. In making any determination under this paragraph, the [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) shall consider existing public sources of information, including nationally recognized certification programs of trade associations.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/42/6202.md?p=1) shall exercise authority under this section in a manner designed to minimize unnecessary burdens on [manufacturers](/usc/42/6291.md?p=12) of [covered products](/usc/42/6291.md?p=2).
  - (3) The provisions of [section 796(d) of title 15](/usc/15/796.md?p=d) shall apply with respect to information obtained under this subsection to the same extent and in the same manner as they apply with respect to [energy](/usc/42/6291.md?p=3) information obtained under [section 796 of title 15](/usc/15/796.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 94–163, title III, § 326, Dec. 22, 1975, 89 Stat. 926; Pub. L. 95–619, title IV, § 425(d), title VI, § 691(b)(2), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3265, 3288; Pub. L. 100–12, §§ 6, 11(a)(2), (b)(3), Mar. 17, 1987, 101 Stat. 117, 125; Pub. L. 102–486, title I, § 123(g), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2829.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1992—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 102–486, § 123(g)(1), inserted “or water use” after “consumption”.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 102–486, § 123(g)(2), substituted “, energy use, or, in the case of showerheads, faucets, water closets, and urinals, water use” for “or energy use”.

1987—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–12, § 11(b)(3)(A), inserted heading.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–12, § 11(b)(3)(B), inserted heading.

Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 100–12, § 11(a)(2), inserted “established in or” before “prescribed under”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–12, § 11(b)(3)(C), inserted heading.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–12, § 6, inserted “Information requirements” as heading and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “For purposes of carrying out this part, the Secretary may require, under authority otherwise available to him under this part or other provisions of law administered by him, each manufacturer of covered products to submit such information or reports of any kind or nature directly to the Secretary with respect to energy efficiency of such covered products, and with respect to the economic impact of any proposed energy efficiency standard, as the Secretary determines may be necessary to establish and revise test procedures, labeling rules, and energy efficiency standards for such products and to insure compliance with the requirements of this part. The provisions of section 796(d) of title 15 shall apply with respect to information obtained under this subsection to the same extent and in the same manner as it applies with respect to energy information obtained under section 796 of title 15.”

1978—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 95–619, § 425(d)(2), inserted requirement that manufacturers of covered products give notice to the Secretary of models affected by rules promulgated under section 6294 of this title and expanded the notice requirement itself to include models manufactured more than sixty days after the date a particular rule takes effect.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 95–619, § 691(b)(2), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”, meaning Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 95–619, § 425(d)(3), authorized Secretary to request submission of covered products for purposes of ascertaining whether a particular product complies with standards under section 6295 of this title and also authorized Secretary to designate testing laboratories for the submitted products.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 95–619, § 691(b)(2), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–619, § 425(d)(1), added subsec. (d).