Bill > HB1612

This bill creates the Illinois Appliance Standards Act, which directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish minimum efficiency standards for a wide range of products including automatic landscape irrigation controllers, commercial appliances, computers, electric vehicle charging equipment, faucets, water heaters, and many other household and commercial devices. The bill aims to reduce energy and water consumption, lower utility costs for consumers (especially low-income families), decrease environmental impacts, and help delay expensive infrastructure investments. The Agency is required to adopt these standards by December 31, 2025, with specific efficiency requirements for each type of product, often referencing existing national or California standards. Manufacturers will need to test their products, certify compliance, and label them accordingly. The law includes enforcement mechanisms such as product testing, warnings, and potential civil penalties for non-compliance, with penalties ranging from $100 to $500 per violation. The standards will be implemented in stages, with product sales restrictions beginning 180 days after standard adoption and installation restrictions beginning one year after that. The bill also allows for potential waivers and future updates to the efficiency standards, with a focus on promoting energy and water conservation in a cost-effective manner.