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On April 2, CEA honored Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Rep.
Tom Davis (R-VA) and Verizon's chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg at the
Fourth Annual Digital Patriots Dinner. All proceeds from the dinner
benefitted the USO of Metropolitan Washington.  FCC Issues Order Clarifying
DTV Education Requirements; CEA Files DTV Education Report
Last week the FCC released a revised “DTV consumer education” order, which provides clarification on devices covered, parties responsible, point of “manufacture,” start date and notice requirements. On April 10, CEA filed a report with the FCC detailing its DTV education efforts, including the launch of the “Convert Your Mom” campaign featuring Florence Henderson. Additional Links: FCC Revised Order 04/23/08; CEA DTV Education Report Contact: Julie Kearney CEA Launches New "Convert Your Mom" to Digital TV Campaign Additional Links: CEA Press Release 04/03/08 Contact: Julie Kearney 
The Honorable Carlos
M. Gutierrez, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce is the first standing
cabinet secretary to address CEA's Washington Forum. Secretary
Gutierrez discussed the bright future for the consumer electronics
industry and how free trade is important to not only the industry, but
the economy and the entire country.
CEA Achieves Tariff Reclassification for AM/FM Receivers After more than a year of advocacy by CEA before the United States International Trade Commission (ITC), the U.S. Customs Bureau, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the White House, an error in the 2007 Harmonized Tariff Scheduled (HTS) regarding import tariffs on A/V receivers was corrected on April 2, 2008 by Presidential Proclamation. The change will take affect retroactively beginning February 3, 2007. We are pleased that this issue has been successfully resolved. Please feel free to contact Joanne Sonenshine (jsonenshine@CE.org or 703-907-7631) with any questions or comments. CEA Advocates Passage of U.S. - Colombia Free Trade Agreement On April 7, President Bush announced that he would be transmitting the U.S. – Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement to Congress for a vote. Subsequently, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to change the House rules to remove the requirement for a vote on the agreement. CEA strongly urges the U.S. Congress to pass the U.S. - Colombia Free Trade Agreement. As part of these efforts, CEA is running an ad campaign in various newspapers. The ads can be viewed by visiting: CE.org/freetrade. Contact: Sage Chandler Trade Fuels $1.4 Trillion CE Industry Fueled by international trade, the consumer electronics (CE) industry is poised to generate $1.4 trillion in direct business activity in 2008, while directly employing more than 4.4 million Americans, according to a new study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and released by CEA. Burgeoning international trade is helping grow the sector, driving 14 percent of the CE industry's total output and 16 percent of its total employment. Green Technology Exhibit Opportunity at China's Largest Consumer Technology Event The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), in a partnership with Vogel Burda Media (VBM), is pleased to provide your company with an opportunity to gain critical global exposure by showcasing your latest green technology products at a new green technology exhibition (the ‘Green Zone’) at the 2008 SINOCES, July 10-13, 2008, at the Qingdao International Convention Center, Shandong Province, Qingdao, China. CEA is offering members this opportunity on a complimentary basis. For more information, please contact Joanne Sonenshine. New and Improved myGreenElectronics.org Check out the new and improved www.myGreenElectronics.org! Updates include: 1. Expansive and updated green products database now with active serial/model numbers, pictures of each product and ENERGY STAR/EPEAT logos 2. Recycling zip code locator now with easy-to-read maps and more locations than ever before. Questions? Contact: Joanne Sonenshine Revision of the Joint Industry Guide for Material Composition Declaration Underway JIG version 101A – a well-recognized chemicals/materials declaration standard, will be revised to address future chemical declaration requirements such as the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical Substances (“REACH”) Regulation, which will have a significant impact on the consumer electronics industry. Common industry-wide approaches, such as the new JIG, which helps to manage REACH and other materials restrictions, can improve the protection of human health and the environment through better and more consistent identification and reporting of chemical substances contained in electronic products. Additional Links: Joint Press Release 04/10/08 Contact: Joanne Sonenshine Mandated Energy Use Limits Proposed in California The California Energy Commission is amending its Appliance Efficiency Regulations during 2008 and will be considering whether to impose a mandatory energy use limit on digital televisions. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the Natural Resources Defense Council and 3M have urged the commission to regulate the active mode energy use of TVs. Contact: Doug Johnson CEA Victory on Arizona Energy Efficiency Standards Legislation Earlier this month, the sponsor of the Arizona energy efficiency standards bill (House Bill 2766) agreed to remove the consumer audio and video product provisions contained in the legislation. Contact: Doug Johnson  The House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet will hold a hearing on Thursday, May 1st at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the draft of the "Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2008." The hearing will be held in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. CEA along with other industry groups are concerned with many provisions in the draft legislation, including the overly broad definition of Internet-enabled service communication and the private right of action clause, which would lead to extensive litigation costs. Additionally, the reporting requirements outlined in Section 104 (h) raise a number of privacy and proprietary information concerns. On May 16, CEA, CTIA, ITI, and TIA will host an Accessibility Tech Fair featuring a display of accessible technologies that enrich the lives of disabled Americans. More than a dozen leading manufacturers and telecommunications providers will be participating in the fair. For more information, please contact Veronica O'Connell. New CEA White Paper Highlights the Wireless Revolution and U.S. Spectrum Policy Earlier this month, CEA released a new white paper, entitled, "Better Living through Wireless: The Wireless Revolution and U.S. Spectrum Policy." For a free copy, please visit: http://www.CE.org/PDF/WP_Wireless(1).pdf. Contact: Julie Kearney FTC Seeks Comments on Amplifier Rule Review The Federal Trade Commission’s Amplifier Rule helps consumers compare the power outputs of competing amplifiers used in home entertainment products by prescribing a standardized testing protocol and disclosure format for power output claims. Along with seeking general comments on the Rule as part of the Commission’s systematic review of its regulatory guides, the FTC is seeking comments on whether the Rule should be modified to address the methodology for rating the power outputs of “home theater” multichannel amplifiers. Comments will be accepted by the FTC through May 12th. Contact: Doug Johnson CEA Enters the World of Blogging with "CEA Digital Dialogue" CEA Digital Dialogue™ is a new technology blog designed to provide analysis, news and debate for the CE industry and consumers with an interest in CE issues and events. The blog allows expert CEA staff and guest bloggers to engage in a dialogue with readers about industry initiatives, new technology, and policy issues including trade, the environment, and the DTV transition. The blog also provides up-to-date information on new market research and consumer trends, technology and standards, and industry events. The CEA Digital Dialogue blog can be accessed at blog.CE.org or on CEA's website, www.CE.org. Additional Links: CEA Press Release 04/15/08  CEA's Political Action Committee (CEAPAC) protects your freedom to build and sell consumer electronics products. Right now, outside interests are pushing Congress to impose design mandates that will raise costs and reduce our freedom to innovate. Other groups are urging severe restrictions on international trade that will harm our competitiveness and our bottom lines. What are the benefits of a vital CEAPAC? • CEAPAC ensures that CEA remains the strongest voice on issues critical to our industry • CEAPAC promotes our message of innovation and free markets • CEAPAC enables our industry to support policymakers who share our values How is CEAPAC funded? CEAPAC is funded solely through voluntary, personal contributions from the executive and administrative personnel of CEA's corporate members. Corporate contributions are prohibited under federal law. For more information, please fill out and fax the PAC authorization form or contact CEAPAC at 703-907-5223. CEA Member? Visit CEA's members-only website
for the latest Government Affairs news, contact information and
documents. Interested in joining CEA's
Government Affairs Council (GAC)? CEA
Government Affairs Staff
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