Conformity Magazine - July 2008 - (Page 11)

NewsBreaks devices when the unapproved vendor’s component was used. The company’s cochlear implants reportedly posed a health risk to consumers because of excessive moisture, exposing patients to the risk of device failure, possible surgery, and the potential for additional hearing loss. EPA Issues Energy Star Specs for TV, Video Boxes The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new energy conservation standards for so-called set-top boxes, devices which are frequently used to deliver cable and satellite signals to consumers’ televisions. According to the EPA, the new Energy Star standards for set-top boxes, which go into effect on January 1, 2009, represent a 30% increase in energy efficiency over the current standards. The EPA predicts that the U.S. would save $2 billion each year if all of the approximately 150 million set-top boxes in use in the U.S. met the new Energy Star standards. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by the equivalent emissions from about 2.5 million vehicles annually. Our readers can view the final version of the new Energy Star program requirements for set-top boxes at www.conformity.com/1913. FDA Answers Questions About CFLs and UV Radiation As the use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light bulbs become more common, some are raising questions about the safety of such lamps, particularly with respect to their emission of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. To address such concerns, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a “Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)—Fact Sheet/FAQ” that addresses questions about UV radiation and other potential health issues associated with the use of CFLs. In brief, the FDA says that, except for those individuals with a medical condition (such as some forms of Lupus) that make them particularly sensitive to UV, CFLs are as safe to use as traditional incandescent lamps. Further, many CFL bulbs are equipped with a glass or plastic cover that encloses the CFL element, thereby reducing UV to a lower level. The FDA Fact Sheet also notes that, like all fluorescent bulbs, CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, and that care should be taken not to break the bulb, and to dispose of it properly at the end of its useful life. Our readers can view the complete text of the FDA’s Fact Sheet on CFLs at www.conformity.com/1912. Canada Unveils Sweeping Product Safety Legislation Canada has implemented broad, U.S. style consumer product safety regulations that will significantly up the ante for manufacturers selling products there. According to a report posted on Canada’s Globe and Mail web site, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper led the charge to update the continued on page 58 � Testing � � � Consulting Engineering � Training EMC COMPLIANCE TESTING FCC Part 15 & 18 CE (Emissions, Immunity & Radio testing) VCCI (Japan) BSMI (Taiwan CNS Standards) Australia/New Zealand (AS/NZS) Korea (KN standards) TELECOMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL EQUIPMENT � � � � � � � � FCC Part 68/ACTA Industry Canada Bellcore Europe CSA Testing TUV Testing UL Testing CE (LVD) PRODUCT SAFETY TESTING � � � � MILITARY AND AVIONICS � � FAA (RTCA DO-160) MIL-STD 461/462 MEDICAL � � � Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB) European Conformity Assessment Body for 2004/108/EC FDA CE EN 60601-1-2 JIS T 0601-1-2 NARTE Certified Engineers and Test Technicians Consulting Available Over 25 years of EMC Experience Accredited Test Facilities 4 Locations with 10 OATS & 5 semi-anechoic chambers in Southern California Tel: (714) 579-0500 www.celectronics.com JULy 2008 Conformity 11 http://www.conformity.com/1913 http://www.conformity.com/1912 http://www.celectronics.com http://www.celectronics.com

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

Conformity Magazine - July 2008 Contents Editor's Note FCC Adopts 6 Million Dollars in DTV Enforcement Orders Commission Enforcement Bureau Adopts V-Chip Consent Decree FDA Seeks 2 Million Dollars from Medical Device Manufacturer FDA Answers Questions About CFLs and UV Radiation EPA Issues Energy Star Specs for TV, Video Boxes Canada Unveils Sweeping Product Safety Legislation How the Evolution of CISPR Standards Continues to Shape the Requirements for Anechoic Chambers ESD Open Forum Reach Compliance for Non-EU Article Manufacturers The iNARTE Informer Preamplifier Considerations for Emission Measurement Systems Effective Shielding in Medical Electronics Applications Product News Focus On...Power Components Buyer's Guide Updated Standards List for the EU's ATEX Directive EOS/ESD Symposium Set for September CPSC Actions in the News Researchers Work to Develop Non-Flammable Batteries Safety Link Launches Redesigned, Enhanced Web Site 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 - July 2008

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