CEA Showcases Energy Efficient Products on Capitol Hill
On May 16, CEA held a well-attended technology demonstration in the U.S. Capitol for members of Congress and staff.  The event featured demonstrations of energy efficient products by Sony, Cisco/Scientific Atlanta, Pioneer, LG, Intel, Dell and Freeplay. The event's supporting partners included the Alliance to Save Energy, the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and TechNet.

Contact: Doug Johnson or Kristie Taylor (Media Inquiries)

CEA Distributes DTV Education Toolkit to Members of Congress
Last month, CEA mailed a packet of information regarding the digital television (DTV) transition to all members of Congress.  The packet includes a list of frequently asked questions regarding the DTV transition, talking points for constituent inquiries, a sample letter to constituents, and many other educational materials.  Member response has been very favorable.

Electronic versions of these documents are available on CEA's website at: http://www.ce.org/HDTV. 

Contact: Julie Kearney

Leading Innovators Testify on the Importance of Competition and Fair Use
On May 10, CEA members Sling and Tivo appeared at the House Energy & Commerce Committee's hearing on "Digital Future of the United States: Part V, The Future of Video."  In their testimony, Sling CEO Blake Krikorian and Tivo CEO Tom Rogers asked the Committee to ensure that network providers don't block users' ability to enjoy innovative devices.

Additional Links: Witness Testimony and Hearing Webcast

FCC Adopts Analog TV Labeling Requirements for Retailers
On May 3, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Second Report and Order (FCC 07-69), which addresses analog television labeling requirements for retailers.

Under the order, retailers must display the following text when selling television equipment that contains only an analog broadcast tuner:

"This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of
the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission’s digital television website at: www.dtv.gov."

CEA's Shapiro Meets with Treasury Secretary on China Issues
In lead-up to the May 22-23 Strategic Economic Development (SED) meetings between the U.S. and China, CEA's Gary Shapiro met with Secretary of Treasury Paulsen to discuss issues such as strategic economic advancement, currency and immigration.  The SED is a forum in which high-level officials work in a cooperative, non-binding manner to promote the goals of industry and promote development. 

CEA’s Sr. Director for International Trade, Sage Chandler, will continue coordination with the Treasury Department for follow-up activities, including at the SINOCES trade show.


U.S. - China Intellectual Property Rights Policy Forum to be Held in Conjunction with SINOCES
The 2007 SINOCES, which is sponsored by China's Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Information Industry, Ministry of Science and Technology and Shandong Provincial People's Government in partnership with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) will be held from July 6 - 8 in Qingdao, China.  CEA is pleased to be working with its colleagues across the globe to expand innovative ways of thinking and support effective policy issues that benefit the global consumer electronics industry. 

As part of SINOCES, CEA, together with the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce (CECC) and State Intellectual Property Office of the PRC (SIPO), is sponsoring the U.S. – China Intellectual Property Rights Policy Forum on July 7th in Qingdao, China in conjunction with SINOCES.  This event enables Chinese and U.S. government and high-tech industry leaders to discuss China's new National IP Strategy; the evolution of IPR rules and licensing policies in the United States, China, and around the world; the relationship between manufacturing and chain of supply security; and how best to cooperate and enforce against global IPR infringing activities.

Additional Links: 2007 SINOCES Information

Contact: Sage Chandler

CEA Advocating Harmonized Approach to Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
At the interim meeting of the World Electronics Forum (WEF) in Las Vegas this past January, a representative from the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (AEEMA) informed WEF of an invitation by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Trade Facilitation Sub-committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) to participate in a discussion on materials use restrictions at the June 24th meeting of APEC representatives in Cairns, Australia.  The SCSC is looking to discuss with industry how a possible global approach to materials use restrictions could ultimately feed into the broader APEC process and hopefully into resolutions to be considered by the Ministerial leaders in September 2007. 

CEA, as the new secretariat of WEF, will represent the global electronics industry and Parker Brugge, Senior Director and Environmental Counsel for CEA will be presenting recommendations for a global harmonized approach to RoHS together with representatives from the Chemicals industry at the June 24th meeting. Working with APEC will provide a great opportunity for WEF to establish itself as a true global industry voice in a multilateral policy recommendations body and advance a crucial issue for our industry.

Newest Edition of CEA's Green Feed Available to Members
The Consumer Electronics Association is happy to provide the latest information on global environmental regulations and compliance news that impacts the CE industry and partner businesses around the world. Our mission is to give you the know-how to create, market and trade innovative and environmentally friendly products which continue to bolster the world's economy. For more information on any of these stories, please find the May edition at: http://members.ce.org/epc or contact Joanne Sonenshine (jsonenshine@ce.org)

     
Broad Coalition Opposes California Legislation Requiring On-the-Spot Rebates
CEA and other business and trade groups joined together in opposing California Assembly Bill 1673, which would require retailers to provide discounts for advertised rebates at the time of sale (“A retail seller… shall, at the time of the sale, discount the sale price of the item by the amount of the rebate in exchange for the consumer transferring his or her right to the rebate to the seller and authorizing the seller to collect the rebate directly from the offer or of the rebate…”).  The legislation recently passed the California Assembly and will soon be introduced in the California Senate.  The coalition is urging legislators to oppose the measure.

Additional Links: Coalition Letter Opposing CA A.B. 1673

Contact:  Doug Johnson or David Grossman

CEA Opposes New Jersey Legislation That Would Create Consumer Electronics Warranty Lemon Law
On May 23, CEA filed a letter with New Jersey Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez, the sponsor of the "Consumer Electronics  Warranty Lemon Law" (A.B. 3978) and the Chairwoman of the Consumer Affairs Committee.

Additional Links: CEA Letter Opposing NJ A.B. 3978

Contact:  Doug Johnson or David Grossman

CEA Moves to New Headquarters
On June 4, CEA officially moved to its new headquarters in the Crystal City section of Arlington, Virginia. CEA's new address: 1919 South Eads Street, Arlington, VA  22202.  All phone and fax numbers will remain the same.

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CEA Government Affairs Staff

Michael Petricone Senior Vice President, Government Affairs	Julie Kearney Senior Director & Regulatory Counsel
Parker Brugge Senior Director & Environmental Counsel	Veronica O’Connell Senior Director, Government Affairs
Douglas Johnson Senior Director, Technology Policy & International Affairs	Sage Chandler Senior Director, International Trade
Stacie Aman Manager, PAC & Grassroots	Joanne Sonenshine Manager, Environmental Policy
J. David Grossman Policy Analyst, Government Affairs	Christie McDonald Senior Government Affairs Coordinator