Samsung Energy Star Refrigerator Case Moves Forward

On July 11, 2013, Judge Kevin McNulty of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey denied defendants’ motions to dismiss and allowed class action claims to move forward against the makers of Samsung RF26VAB refrigerators and retailer Lowe’s stores. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants misrepresented the energy efficiency of Samsung RF26VAB refrigerators by promoting them as ENERGY STAR-qualified and labeling them with the ENERGY STAR logo. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy found that the refrigerators do not meet the ENERGY STAR standards for energy efficiency. As such, among other things, Judge McNulty found the plaintiffs “sufficiently allege that the Energy Star logo constitutes a[] … warranty [under federal and state law], which defendants breached.”

“We are pleased that Judge McNulty allowed this case to move forward so that purchasers of these mislabeled refrigerators can seek class certification,” said Scott Bursor, one of the firm’s partners handling the matter.