Public Comment Period Open for Updating the IECC

Changes to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) could be coming as the International Code Council Board of Directors starts the framework for updating the IECC and Ch. 11 of the International Residential Code (IRC). The ICC standards process requires stakeholder input and final approval by the ICC Board of Directors, thus opening the public comment period to interested parties. The Code Council Board will meet the week of January 18 to hear verbal testimony from interested members and stakeholders.

Currently, the recommended framework—if approved—would mean:

• The title of the document will remain the International Energy Conservation Code and the residential energy provisions in Chapter 11 of the IRC will be a duplication of the residential provisions from the IECC. As such, the change in process will not impact references in existing statutes, laws or policies;
• The IECC will retain the International Codes publication format with the 2024 IECC and IRC scheduled to be published in the fall of 2023;
• The 2024 IECC and Chapter 11 of the IRC will be updated using the Code Council’s Consensus Procedures, which allow for more timely consideration and an in-depth investigation of energy improvements without the time limits imposed in the code hearings;
• The energy provisions will undergo continuous maintenance to be responsive to advances in technology. This will result in the update process continuing beyond the publication of the 2024 IECC and IRC;
• The committee will be balanced in accordance with consensus procedures;
• The next update will begin with the 2021 IECC and Chapter 11 of the 2021 IRC; and
• The Code Council will conduct a campaign to inform members about participation.

Those interested in submitting written comments and providing verbal testimony, should contact memberinput@iccsafe.org by 8:00 p.m. Eastern on Monday, January 11, 2021. All comments received will be posted on the Code Council website. There will be a registration process for verbal testimony.

In addition to the IECC process, the Blue Ribbon Committee is considering other issues related to the code development process, including federal preemption and voter guides. Click here to read the latest update from the committee. More information is available on the Code Council website or by contacting Mike Pfeiffer, PE at mpfeiffer@iccsafe.org to receive email updates related to upcoming committee meetings.