New regs for Wednesday: Efficiency, e-cigarettes, tobacco samples

Wednesday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new efficiency standards for pool pumps, as well as tobacco guidelines.

Here’s what is happening:

Pools: The Department of Energy (DOE) is moving forward with new efficiency rules for dedicated-purpose pool pumps.

The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy announced Tuesday new energy conservation standards for these pool pumps that would cost industry more than $35 million to comply.

But the efficiency standards would reduce energy consumption by more than 60 percent for pool pumps, which the agency estimates could help consumers save as much as $24 billion on their energy bills over the next three decades.

The rule goes into effect in 120 days.

E-cigs: The National Park Service (NPS) is withdrawing electronic cigarette rules.

The NPS proposed new restrictions on e-cigarettes on Jan. 6, but said Tuesday it is withdrawing the rules, because it needs more time to coordinate with other federal agencies.

These rules would have been in addition to the Park’s existing smoking policy, which covered various uses of e-cigarettes, and will not be affected by the withdrawal, the agency said. 

Tobacco samples: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is drafting new tobacco guidelines.

The FDA’s deeming rule prohibits companies from providing free tobacco samples, but the agency’s draft guidance would provide industry with “information intended to assist manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in complying with the regulations,” the agency said.

The public has 30 days to comment.