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HR 5497 100th Congress House

National Plumbing Fixtures Efficiency Act of 1988

Official title: A bill to establish national water use performance standards for certain plumbing products in order to conserve and protect the Nation's water resources, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 11, 1988 See on congress.gov
Water Resources Development Advisory bodiesAir conditioningBusiness and commerceConservation of natural resources
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Consumer protectionElectric appliancesEnvironmental ProtectionFederal advisory bodiesFederal preemptionForeign Trade and International FinanceForeign Trade and InvestmentsImportsIndustrial standardsLabelingState lawsStatesWater and Water Resources DevelopmentWater conservationWater supplyWater use
This bill died when the 100th Congress ended
It never became law before the 100th Congress (1987–1988) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 1, 1988
Referred to Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Hazardous Materials.
Nov 1, 1988
Referred to Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Competitiveness.
Oct 11, 1988
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Oct 11, 1988
Introduced in House
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 Latest action November 1, 1988

Referred to Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Hazardous Materials.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

National Plumbing Fixtures Efficiency Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish water use performance standards for plumbing products classified as covered products. Requires such standards to be designed to achieve the maximum water efficiency which the Secretary determines is technologically feasible and economically justified.

Sets forth maximum water use standards for the following products: (1) water closets; (2) urinals; (3) showerheads; and (4) faucets. Requires the Secretary to prescribe water use standards for the following products which are manufactured or sold on or after January 1, 1992: (1) drinking fountains; (2) lawn sprinklers; (3) clothes washers; (4) dishwashers; (5) water cooled air conditioning systems and associated cooling equipment; and (6) decorative water fountains. Directs the Secretary to prescribe water use standards for any product that is classified as a covered product and manufactured and sold on or after the date that is three years after such product receives its classification.

Describes the procedure for prescribing water use standards. Directs the Secretary to reevaluate such standards at the end of each five-year period after the date of enactment of this Act.

Requires the Secretary to prescribe test procedures for classified products.

Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe labeling and marking rules for each classified product. Directs the Secretary to study the feasibility of determining coverage for additional consumer products.

Establishes a procedure for testing plumbing products and for maintaining test data.

Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to assist the Secretary as necessary.

Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe rules for any covered product offered for importation.

Sets forth provisions for prohibited acts, enforcement procedures, and the commencement of civil actions under this Act.

Declares that standards, procedures, or rules under this Act supersede State regulations.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an advisory committee to report annually to the Congress on the implementation of this Act by the Secretary and the Commission.

Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress and the President on activities under this Act.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5497: National Plumbing Fixtures Efficiency Act of 1988. 100th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-5497/
MLA
"H.R. 5497: National Plumbing Fixtures Efficiency Act of 1988." 100th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-5497/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5497, 100th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-5497/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5497: National Plumbing Fixtures Efficiency Act of 1988](https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-5497/)
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