May 2, 2018
Though many manufacturers are already aware of the due-diligence necessary to comply with the DOE’s energy conservation standards, retailers are often unaware of their share of responsibilities.
Retailers that produce their own private label products bear the onus to comply with DOE regulations and submit the required annual filings, even if the products are sourced directly off-shelf from suppliers. When sourcing, importing, and branding products from overseas, retailers become the “importer of product” and therefore are treated like the manufacturer. However, many retailers assume they do not bear any responsibility and this mindset is creating an environment ripe for liability issues.
Obviously, noncompliance can lead to serious issues. Namely, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) now has the authority to deny entry for products that fail to meet applicable labeling standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA). With that, significant fines following a DOE audit for failure to comply can be levied. Sales may also be affected. With 54% of global consumers checking a brand’s social and environmental commitment before buying and only 3% believing advertising claims, a retailer’s reputation is on the line.1,2 To safeguard themselves, retailers must understand their responsibilities and work to ensure that processes are in place to prevent compliance issues.
A Trusted Compliance Partner
If you are one of the many retailers still in the dark about what these regulations mean for your business or how to comply, UL can help. As a trusted leader in product testing and standards compliance, UL can work to create a customized program specifically tailored to your unique needs. Whether you need to embrace UL’s entire services portfolio to provide testing in accordance with DOE standards or only our administrative services for annual filing on your behalf, we can ease the process. If you are doing business in California, UL can also help you comply with the mandatory requirements under the California Energy Commission (CEC) in conjunction with the DOE.
Compliance is not difficult or time consuming but, as a retailer, it is your responsibility. With UL at your side, you can rest easy knowing you will never miss another filing date with the DOE or CEC.
For a complete list of annual certification due dates, please refer to the official DOE website or click here.
To learn more about how UL can help your specific business, please contact Melissa Williams, Director of C&I Retail Services, [email protected].
References
- http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/press-room/2014/ global-consumers-are-willing-to-put-their-money- where-their-heart-is.html
- http://www.businesswire.com/news/ home/20120719005875/en/About.com%E2%80%99s- %E2%80%9CThe-Trust-Factor%E2%80%9D-Study- Finds-Trust