Overview

Amazon requires sellers listing certain products for sale in California to comply with the state's energy efficiency regulations enforced by the California Energy Commission (CEC). Products subject to these rules must meet minimum efficiency standards and be registered in the CEC's Modernized Appliance Efficiency Database System (MAEDbS) before they can be listed on Amazon.com. Failure to comply can result in listings being removed or sellers facing enforcement actions.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• CEC registration is mandatory — If your product falls under CEC-regulated categories, it must be registered in the MAEDbS database before you can sell it to California buyers on Amazon.
• Minimum efficiency standards apply — Products must meet the CEC's minimum energy efficiency thresholds, which vary by product type and are updated periodically.
• Seller responsibility — It is the seller's obligation, not Amazon's, to verify that products meet CEC requirements and are properly registered.
• Product detail page requirements — Sellers must include CEC database information on their listing, including the model number, brand, and manufacturer exactly as they appear in the MAEDbS.
• Non-compliant listings are prohibited — Any product that fails to meet minimum efficiency standards or lacks required MAEDbS registration will be blocked from sale in California.

Which Products Are Affected

The CEC regulates a broad range of appliances and energy-consuming products sold in California. Common categories include lighting products, HVAC equipment (air conditioners and heat pumps), consumer electronics, plumbing fittings, commercial and industrial equipment, battery charger systems, and various household appliances. The full scope of regulated product types is extensive and continues to expand as the CEC adopts new standards. Sellers should consult the MAEDbS directly to determine whether their specific products fall under CEC jurisdiction, as the list covers dozens of distinct appliance categories.

Registration and Compliance Process

Sellers who manufacture or import CEC-regulated products must ensure those products are registered in the MAEDbS before listing them on Amazon. The registration process involves submitting product specifications, efficiency test results, and identifying information such as brand name, manufacturer, and model number to the CEC. Once registered, the product receives a listing in the MAEDbS that can be publicly verified. Amazon requires that the information displayed on your product detail page — specifically the model number, brand, and manufacturer — matches exactly what appears in the MAEDbS. Discrepancies between your Amazon listing and the CEC database can trigger compliance issues.