UPDATED 2: AHAM Launches Refrigerator Russian Roulette

DEVELOPING STORY.  AHAM will start a voluntary program of random 3rd party testing to confirm the DOE and Energy Star energy performance of refrigerators and freezers.  The voluntary AHAM program is open to both member and non-member manufacturers.  Up to now, manufacturers have done their own testing and until LG was found with their pants around their ankles that was probably how things would have remained.

The specific models to be tested will be chosen by a random process which is yet to be determined.
The specific units in the model line which will be tested will be chosen by a process also as yet to be determined. 

We are hopeful that the units to be tested will NOT be supplied directly by the manufacturers since those units will of course be pre-tested by the manufacturer (we would) and possibly tampered with (if the kids are in college, no comment)
The units will be tested by 3rd party testing agencies such as UL or Intertek.  The testing labs have not yet be chosen.

This random testing concept was developed because of the thousands of refrigeration models already on the market, and it was just too much for 100% testing.  We are concerned that NEW product launches will also only be subject to random testing.  All new models are 100% tested by UL, ETL or CSA for electrical safety, so we wonder why this energy test isn't just added to those tests?

Finally, what happens if the test results are less than promised?
Will the results be released for publication?
Will the DOE or Energy Star learn of the discrepancy?
Will there be an allowance for retesting?

We have sent these questions and  more to AHAM, and will let you know what we find out.

Related Stories:
LG Caught:  Oh No! Not Again!

Open Letter to Steven Chu

UPDATE January 7
Debra Brunk, AHAM's VP of Technical Services called to answer some of our questions.
Q:  How will models been chosen?
A:  Randomly selected from the AHAM database from manufacturers voluntarily participating.

Q:  How will physical test units be chosen for testing?
A:  In random testing programs AHAM already runs in Air Conditioning, the actual test unit is picked from the warehouse by a Lab representative.  The manufacturer would not have an opportunity to pre-test.  It is not yet decided if refrigeration will follow the same process.

Q:  What if the unit fails to meet promised energy performance?
A:  If a unit fails to perform as expected, the manufacturer has many options, including retesting additional units to create an average result, changing or updating the published performance rating, or pulling the unit from the market.

Q:  Will the test results be made public if a unit fails to meet expectations?
A:  Whatever option is chosen by the manufacturer (re-test, re-rate, or pull from market) the results will be published on the AHAM website, as they are now in other categories.  The government (and therefore the people) will be informed, but how often has not been decided.  Could be yearly or bi-annually.

Q:  Though we understand the problem of 100% testing existing lines, why doesn't this program include 100% testing of new lines?
A:  Manufacturers have the option of fully testing if they like.

Q:  But why isn't it required, considering that the unit is already being 100% safety tested by UL, ETL or CSA?
A:  It was considered, but we would need to be sure that labs are certified for the testing, and that Canada and the USA agree to the testing methods.

Q:  Is this program designed with DOE and Energy Star folks or as a proposal to head of regulation from DOE and Energy Star?
A:  DOE and Energy Star are fully aware of this program and we have kept them informed as we have developed it.  We have to see where they go with their regulation and testing requirements.

Our Take
We believe that AHAM has developed this program to head off more severe regulation from DOE and Energy Star and as a tool to build confidence in the market.  AHAM is a membership driven organization, and as such they are looking out for what is best for the membership.  What is best for the membership may not be what is best for US energy independence........but then again, it could.  Who knows, and how can we know for years?  It is through this window of the unknown that AHAM probably hopes to drive a truck and ward off more significant regulation.
AHAM's position on 100% testing of new product lines is their weakest argument.  It is clearly a mistake.  Whatever problems associated with laboratory certification can not be much for labs already certified to do UL, ETL and CSA testing.  We believe that the Canadian issue is also a canard. 
100% 3rd party testing is the cheapest most efficient way forward.  Even assuming that this argument held water, AHAM should have indicated a timeline for 100% testing of new products in perhaps 6 - 18 months.  That wasn't done either.

The plan is significantly better than a stick in the eye, but we can't tell by how much, and the decision will depend upon how many units actually get tested, and some other details yet to be worked out.

UPDATE 2:  January 11
AHAM says the random testing will involve 50 - 80 fridge or freezer models per year (less than 1% of all models on the market)