Conformity Magazine - March 2008 - (Page 10)

NewsBreaks Adelstein Renominated Industry Canada to the FCC Publishes FAQs on RF Fields President George W. Bush has nominated Jonathan S. Adelstein to a third term on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Adelstein originally joined the FCC in late 2002, and was confirmed to serve a second term in late 2004. His renomination will now be sent to the U.S. Senate, where confirmation is expected. The remaining members of the Commission are: • Robert M. McDowell, confirmed in 2006 to fill the seat vacated late in 2005 by Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy. McDowell’s term expires on June 30, 2009. • Michael J. Copps, confirmed in late 2005 to a second term on the Commission. Copps’ term expires in 2010. • Kevin J. Martin, Chairman, confirmed in 2006 to a second term on the Commission. Martin’s term expires in 2011. • Deborah Taylor Tate, confirmed in 2007 to a second term on the Commission. Tate’s term expires in 2012. Canadian government agencies Industry Canada and Health Canada have released an extensive list of “frequently asked questions” related to radio frequency (RF) exposure to the general public. Under Canadian law, all radiocommunication and broadcasting installations and apparatus must comply with the provisions of Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in the Frequency Range from 3kHz to 300 GHz—Safety Code 6, a guidance document prepared by Health Canada. The FAQs are intended to provide additional guidance for manufacturers and operators on the RF exposure limits under Safety Code 6, as well as sources for additional information on RF fields. Our readers can view the complete text of Industry Canada’s RF FAQs at www.conformity.com/1510. The complete text of Safety Code 6 is available at www.conformity.com/1511. the agency’s scientific capabilities a failing grade, and warns that “American lives are at risk” due to continued lack of adequate funding consistent with the agency’s expanded mission. The report, FDA Science and Mission at Risk, was prepared at the request of FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach by a subcommittee of the FDA’s Science Board. The report concludes that the agency cannot fulfill its mission because: 1) its scientific base has eroded and its scientific organizational structure is weak; 2) its scientific workforce does not have sufficient capacity and capability; and 3) its information technology infrastructure is inadequate. These deficiencies, according to the report, are based on the increase in scientific demands being placed on the FDA due to new scientific discoveries, the complexity of new products being submitted to the agency for review, the expanded global scope of the industries regulated by the FDA, and challenging new concerns regarding product safety. Since the resources available to the agency have not increased in proportion to these changing dynamics, “the scientific demands on the agency far exceed its capacity to respond,” says the report. “This imbalance is imposing a significant risk to the integrity of the food, drug, cosmetic and device regulatory system, and hence the safety of the public.” FDA Gives Its Scientific Capabilities Poor Marks An internal report of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given DiLBErt: © Scott adams/Dist. by United feature Syndicate, inc. reprinted with permission. 10 Conformity marCh 2008 http://www.conformity.com/1510 http://www.conformity.com/1511

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Conformity Magazine - March 2008

Conformity Magazine - March 2008 NewsBreaks Editor's Note Adelstein Renominated to the FCC Industry Canada Publishes FAQs On RF Fields FDA Gives Its Scientific Capabilities Poor Marks FDA Offers Guidance On its Product Review Process FDA Publishes Updates to List of Recognized Standards FDA Warns of Patient Risk From Electric Dental Handpieces Complying with the EMC Directive, Second Edition ESD Open Forum Emerging Issues in Standards - Korean "RoHS": Not Like RoHS at All The iNARTE Informer Challenges in Testing - Field-Induced Charged Device Model: What Really Happens Design Fundamentals - EMI Shielding Technologies for Consumer Electronics Equipment Focus On...Compliance Software Buyer's Guide Additional Standards Published for the EU's ATEX Directive Additional Standards for the EU's Medical Devices Directive Also Published China to Require Bar Codes to Enhance Product Safety CPSC Releases 2007 Self-Assessment CPSC Actions in News IEC Standards Update UL Standards Update Product Reviews Telcordia Standards Update From Our "You Can't Make This Stuff Up" Department Looking Back: Items from Past Issues of Conformity Advertisers

Conformity Magazine - March 2008

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