Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that lets device manufacturers include a required Federal Communications Commission label digitally rather than on the physical device, the White House said Nov. 26 (here). The House passed a Senate version of the bill (here) earlier this month (see 1411140039). According to the bill, U.S. manufacturers and consumers of FCC licensed devices "would prefer to have the option to provide or receive important Commission labeling information digitally on the screen of the device and such an option "would give flexibility to manufacturers in meeting labeling requirements." Within nine months, the FCC is required to "promulgate regulations or take other appropriate action, as necessary, to allow manufacturers of radiofrequency devices with display the option to use electronic labeling for the equipment" in place of affixing physical labels to the equipment.

The House approved the Senate version of the E-Label Act (S-2583) Nov. 13 by unanimous voice vote. It had already approved its own companion version of the legislation. The bill would allow device manufacturers to include a required Federal Communications Commission label digitally rather than on the physical device. The legislation now advances for White House signature to become law. "I am confident the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology will do a great job updating our labeling rules," said bill author Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., in a statement following the House approval (here).

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 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.

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 Department of Homeland Security states that it has been working with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help small and medium-sized businesses develop cybersecurity plans to protect themselves, their employees and their customers. Businesses can use the Small Biz Cyber Planner (available here), to develop tailored cybersecurity plans to help protect against cyber crime. According to a new survey, 74% of small and medium businesses reported cyber attacks from 2009-2010. However, only 52% of surveyed businesses had a cybersecurity plan in place.

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.

On July 11, 2011, President Obama issued Executive Order 13579 and a memorandum to independent regulatory agencies urging them to comply with EO 13563 of January 2011 by producing their own plans to reassess and streamline existing regulations. The new EO also urges them to follow the cost-saving, burden-reducing principles outlined in the January EO for regulations going forward.

On April 22, 2008, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials gave an Automated Commercial Environment update at an event hosted by the Baltimore Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association.