| Contacts: | Jeff Joseph tel: 703 907-7664 e-mail: jjoseph@CE.org |
Kristina Taylor tel: 703 907 4326 e-mail: ktaylor@CE.org |
CEA WELCOMES ACTIONS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS WITH CALIFORNIA'S NEW REGULATIONS FOR ELECTRONICS
Industry Remains Concerned About Regulations' Impact on Consumers and Innovation
| Arlington, Virginia | 2/23/2006 |
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) President and CEO Gary Shapiro issued the following statement today in response to the California Energy Commission's (CEC) proposal to amend its Appliance Efficiency Regulations:
"CEA welcomes the California Energy Commission's proposal to modify its Appliance Efficiency Regulations for external power supplies and consumer audio and video products. We appreciate the Commission's recognition of our industry's concerns associated with the regulations, including the impact of these regulations on safety and consumers, the digital television transition, the federal Energy Star program, product development cycles, and technological innovation.
"Our industry is committed to energy efficiency. We believe that practical solutions for energy savings can best be reached through a public/private partnership that thoroughly analyzes the facts to balance the needs for energy conservation with consumer choice and high tech manufacturers' continued innovation. Voluntary programs such as Energy Star have worked extremely well in saving energy and substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to supporting the growth of Energy Star, CEA is supporting the development of industry-led standards related to the energy use of televisions and set-top boxes.
"For three years, the electronics industry has expressed its concerns to the CEC regarding the mandatory efficiency regulations for high tech products. We have broad concerns, such as the use of outdated data to justify California's regulations for consumer audio and video products, as well as concerns about how these regulations could undermine the broadly successful Energy Star program at the national and international level. We also have specific issues with the Commission's regulations, including proposed effective dates, reporting requirements and regulations for products that do not yet exist.
"As concerned stakeholders, we look forward to working closely with the Commission in the coming weeks. We believe continued progress can be made on a number of issues and thank the Commission for its recognition that a full, ongoing dialogue is appropriate."
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $125 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.
CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.
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CEA WELCOMES ACTIONS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS WITH CA