ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program developed in collaboration with industry to create a self-sustaining market for energy efficient products. The ENERGY STAR label is a registered certification label that helps consumers identify products that meet ENERGY STAR energy performance criteria. To protect the integrity of the label, EPA works to ensure that products carrying the label meet appropriate program requirements. EPA sets criteria for ENERGY STAR products and facilitates the sale of certified products by providing consumers with information about the products. To set criteria for efficient products, EPA analyzes data on the performance of products and works with stakeholders to set criteria based on established processes. EPA partners with retailers, energy efficiency program sponsors (EEPS), service providers and product brand owners who wish to use the ENERGY STAR label to differentiate products as more energy efficient. Partners sign Partnership Agreements that require adherence to logo-use guidelines and program requirements, as well as promotion of ENERGY STAR certified products through product offerings. To have products third-party certified as ENERGY STAR, product brand owner partners are required to have eligible products tested in an EPA-recognized laboratory and certified by an EPA-recognized third-party certification body (CB). EPA maintains an XML-based automated data exchange for CBs to share information with EPA on certified products. To monitor the ongoing performance of products and maintain program integrity, EPA also requires CBs to conduct post-market verification testing of a sampling of ENERGY STAR certified products and share information with EPA on products verified twice a year. For thermostats, there are additional reporting requirements to verify product performance. To monitor progress and support the best allocation of resources, EPA requires partners to submit data on annual shipments of and installations and incentives for ENERGY STAR certified products. Finally, for any ENERGY STAR recognition, EPA may ask Partners to submit applications if they wish to participate.
There is an increase in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the ICR currently approved by OMB. Consultations indicated burden estimates required minor changes; the primary driver in the increase in burden was the number of estimated respondents due to an increase in program participation. Total estimated costs also increased slightly as a result of updating the loaded hourly rates for major occupational groups.
$506,774
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
James Kwon 202 564-8538 kwon.james@epa.gov
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form PFN-3400-3 EEPS Incentive Data Collection
2078ss09_rev.docx
EEPS Incentive Data Collection