Intel agreed to pay the Federal Communications Commission $144,000 and implement a three-year compliance plan to resolve an investigation into whether Intel employees had tested prototype smartphones and tablets before the FCC certified them, said the agency's Enforcement Bureau on July 2. Intel had imported the devices in question for its business customers so they could "develop their own devices for potential sale to the general public," the agency said. Intel also admitted exceeding import quotas and displaying a device model at a trade show without the required notice to potential customers and the public that it had not yet been authorized by the commission, the bureau said. "The Commission's rules impose restrictions and conditions on these activities to ensure that unauthorized devices are not prematurely distributed to retailers and then sold to the general public," the bureau said. "These devices, if not in full compliance with the Commission's technical requirements, could cause harmful interference to other electronics and radio communications devices." After "an in-depth study and working with the FCC's Spectrum Enforcement Division, Intel and the FCC have reached an agreement on a Consent Decree to address the policy exceptions made by Intel's staff," emailed a company spokesman. "Intel is pleased to put this matter behind us."
The FCC proposed the "largest fine in its history" for the alleged illegal marketing of 285 models of signal jamming devices to U.S. consumers for more than two years. The FCC proposed a fine of $34.9 million against Chinese company C.T.S. Technology, an electronics manufacturer and online retailer. The FCC said it proposed the largest fine allowed for each individual model allegedly marketed by C.T.S.
The Federal Communications Commission cited a California company for importing and marketing counterfeit smartphones marked with unauthorized or invalid labels falsely indicating that the phones were certified by the FCC. The FCC ordered Panasystem Corp., an online electronics retailer, to immediately stop importing and marketing the uncertified devise or else face monetary penalties.
The Federal Communications Commission should consider modernizing labeling requirements for devices that have to be certified by the agency and adopting more widespread "e-labeling" for some wireless devices, Commissioner Mike O'Rielly said April 25 in a blog post. "Electronic labeling, or e-labeling, could replace the current system of etched labels containing FCC certification information on the outside body of each electronic device," he said. "Instead, this information could be provided through software on device screens. " E-labeling would cut costs for device manufacturers, O'Rielly said. "As devices have become smaller and more aesthetically appealing, etching the labels requires more design time and expensive equipment." The Telecommunications Industry Association asked the FCC to allow voluntary e-labels, in a 2012 petition for rulemaking.
International Trade Today will periodically feature a Q&A with a customs industry professional. Our interviewee for this edition is Barbara Carman, Director of Compliance with BCB International, a privately held customs brokerage in Buffalo, N.Y. Carman has been with BCB International since 1995 Licensed in 1992, she has been in the customs brokerage industry for almost 30 years and is an active member of the NCBFFA and the International Compliance Professionals Association.
The FCC on Dec. 17 sought comment on a petition by the Cargo Airline Association seeking a declaration that autodialed or prerecorded calls to a wireless telephone number for the purpose of notifying the recipient regarding delivery of a package are exempt from the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The American Bankers Association and the Consumer Bankers Association supported the petition. “Unfortunately, mobile package delivery notices are discouraged by the same threat that inhibits many other useful mobile communications: class-action lawsuits brought under the TCPA’s ‘autodialer rule,’ seeking uncapped statutory damages that can run into billions of dollars, that punish responsible businesses without providing any benefit to consumers,” the groups said (here).
New product introductions are in danger of being delayed by the government shutdown, officials at the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) said Oct. 8. Products by TIA members need certification from FCC-approved telecommunication certification bodies (TCBs), but those labs can’t submit their reports to the now-shuttered FCC websites for ultimate approval. Without FCC approval, manufacturers can’t ship their products. “No new devices of any kind that need FCC approval can be marketed in the U.S. until the shutdown ends,” TIA General Counsel Danielle Coffey said.
The Center for Food Safety moved for judgment Jan. 11 in its action to compel the Food and Drug Administration to issue seven long-overdue regulations required by the Food Safety Modernization Act.1 The non-profit is seeking court orders from the Northern California District Court mandating a timetable for FDA implementation of FSMA provisions on produce safety, Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventative Controls, the Foreign Supplier Verification Program, and third-party auditing, among other things. “Congress enacted FSMA to end the ongoing epidemic of food contamination in our country and its concomitant harms to our nation’s health and economy,” CFS said. “Yet, without its implementing regulations, the statute is an empty vessel.”
The Website for the International Trade Data System has posted (1) an updated ACE Portal Access Application (this form may be used for PGAs applying for access to ACE as well as to make any changes or updates to an existing PGA user account in ACE) and (2) an updated PGA Roster.
The team headed by Shimmick Construction, FCC Construction and Impregilo is the apparent "best value" proposer for the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project design-build contract at the Port of Long Beach, port authority officials announced May 4. The project bid is $649.5 million. Port staffers expect to submit a recommendation May 14 to the port's Board of Harbor Commissioners to consider a "notice of intent" to award the contract. A decision by the board is expected in late June, with work to start in early 2013. The total cost of the bridge replacement project is estimated at about $1 billion, including site preparation, demolition and other considerations.