Covered Products
- Refrigerators and Refrigerator-Freezers (7.75 cubic feet or larger)
- Freezer (7.75 cubic feet or larger)
- Compact Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, and Freezers (Less than 7.75 cubic feet)
Definitions
Residential freezers: An appliance intended to keep food frozen at extremely low temperatures and are sold in upright or chest configurations. Upright freezers have a front-mounted door like a refrigerator and shelves that allow for easy organization. While a chest freezer typically requires more floor space, it's usually more energy efficient since the door opens from the top and allows less cold air to escape.
Standard Setting and Certifying Program
Various national and international standards apply to electronic appliances. They are defined here as a guide:
ENERGY STAR® is a voluntary energy efficiency program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The ENERGY STAR® program makes identification of energy efficient appliances easy by labeling products that deliver the same or better performance as comparable models while using less energy and saving money. For additional information on the ENERGY STAR® program, including product specifications and a list of qualifying products, visit the ENERGY STAR® website at https://www.energystar.gov/.
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive – A European Parliament and Council Directives restricting the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. For additional information on RoHS please visit https://www.rohsguide.com/.
New York State Codes, Rules and Regulations, Title 6, Part 494 (6 NYCRR 494); Hydrofluorocarbon Standards and Reporting establishes prohibitions on certain hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) substances in certain end-uses as previously included in the US Environmental Protection Agency, Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. These prohibitions include the sale, installation, and commercial use of certain refrigerants in new or retrofitted food refrigeration equipment, large air-conditioning equipment (or chillers), and vending machines as well as prohibitions on substances used in foams and as aerosol propellants in new consumer products.
Specification
All affected entities shall purchase residential freezers that are Energy Star certified.
All affected entities shall avoid purchasing residential freezers that use refrigerants that are prohibited for those end-uses in 6 NYCRR Part 494. Wherever possible, entities should select equipment with the lowest GWP refrigerant possible, including the natural refrigerants R-290, R-600a, and R-744.
All affected entities are encouraged to purchase residential freezers that comply with the latest requirements of the RoHS directive.
In addition, all affected entities are encouraged to purchase residential freezers which are remanufactured or incorporate recycled materials in the manufacturing of the residential freezer to the extent practicable.
End of Life Management
All affected entities shall follow the following hierarchy for end-of-life management of residential freezers:
- If the unit is still in working condition:
- Attempt to re-use it if a residential freezer is needed in another application/facility.
- If the unit is no longer needed, work with the OGS Surplus Property program for redistribution or sale.
- If the unit is no longer in working condition:
- Ensure that it is properly recycled through your entities e-waste recycling program.
Packaging
Packaging shall comply with Environmental Conservation Law section 37-0205. Packaging shall not contain inks, dyes, pigments, adhesives, stabilizers, or any other additives to which any lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium is intentionally added or contain incidental concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury or hexavalent chromium which together are greater than 100 parts per million by weight (0.01%).
New York State encourages affected entities to adopt the following in order of preference when purchasing items that come in packaging:
- Items that do not need packaging, or the packaging is part of the product.
- Items that come in reusable packaging.
- Items that come in bulk packaging.
- Items that come in innovative packaging that reduces the amount of packaging.
- Items that come in packaging that remains the property of the supplier and does not become the property of the end user under any circumstance or condition. The vendor shall certify that the packaging material will be reused, recycled, or composted, and managed in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
- Items that come in packaging that maximizes recycled or biodegradable (compostable) content and/or meets or exceeds the minimum post-consumer content level for packaging in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. Biodegradable products should only be used in areas where a composting facility exists that accept the material.
- Items that come in Packaging that is recyclable or biodegradable (compostable). Biodegradable products should only be used in areas where a composting facility exists and will accept the material.