The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) has announced that it has secured a significant advocacy win with the US Department of Energy (DOE) regarding enforcement of the pool pump motor rule. The PHTA is a nationwide association of pool, hot tub and spa industry professionals.

DOE announced it will delay enforcement of certain energy conservation and certification requirements for small-size dedicated-purpose pool pump motors. Under this new policy, the DOE will not seek civil penalties for specific compliance violations until March 26, 2029, for motors manufactured between September 28, 2027, and March 26, 2029. The rule itself remains in effect, but the enforcement relief allows the industry additional preparation time.

“This is a meaningful and practical outcome for the industry,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, PHTA president and CEO. “PHTA worked directly with DOE to communicate the real-world challenges our members were facing, including product availability, manufacturing constraints, and conflicts with existing safety standards. This decision provides the time needed to align those factors and ensure a smoother path to compliance.”

PHTA’s advocacy efforts emphasized manufacturing constraints and the misalignment between DOE requirements and safety standards like UL 1004-10.

“This outcome reflects the value of targeted, data-driven advocacy,” says Justin Wiley, PHTA executive vice president, advocacy and external affairs. “By working collaboratively with DOE, we were able to highlight both the technical and market realities facing the industry.” PHTA reports it will continue to monitor developments and provide guidance to members.

For more information on PHTA’s advocacy efforts and updates on regulatory developments, visit phta.org/advocacy.