[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 117 (Monday, June 17, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 30532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15210]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 15

[ET Docket No. 95-144; FCC 96-219]


UHF Noise Figure Performance Measurements

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: By this action, the Commission modified its rules to eliminate 
the requirement that parties who manufacture, import or market 
television receivers file reports concerning the UHF noise figure 
performance of recently-introduced models. We found that the 
requirement for the filing of UHF television noise figure performance 
measurements had become obsolete and burdensome. By eliminating this 
requirement we anticipate that the administrative burden on industry as 
well as on the Commission will be greatly reduced without any 
deterioration of the television receiver compliance rate.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 16, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond A. LaForge at (202) 418-2417, 
Office of Engineering and Technology.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Report 
and Order, adopted May 14, 1996, and released June 3, 1996. The full 
text of this Commission decision is available for inspection and 
copying during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 
239), 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, DC. The complete text of this 
decision also may be purchased from the Commission's duplication 
contractor, International Transcription Service, Inc., (202) 857-3800, 
2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037.

Summary of Report and Order

    1. The Electronics Industry Association Consumer Electronics Group, 
now known as the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association 
(``CEMA''), petitioned the Commission to eliminate the requirement that 
parties who manufacture, import or market television receivers file 
reports concerning the UHF noise figure performance of television 
receivers. On September 5, 1995, the Commission issued a Notice of 
Proposed Rule Making (``NPRM''), 60 FR 49421, September 22, 1995, 
proposing to eliminate the requirement that parties who manufacture, 
import, or market television receivers file UHF television noise figure 
measurement reports.
    2. CEMA, the only entity to file comments and reply comments 
supported the Commission's proposal to eliminate the UHF noise figure 
reporting requirements stating that this initiative furthers the 
Administration's regulatory reinvention goals by minimizing the 
reporting burdens on business. It stated that both industry and 
Commission resources could be redeployed for other business if the UHF 
noise figure reporting requirement is eliminated.
    3. CEMA also noted that the UHF noise figure reporting requirement 
is inconsistent with the Commission's verification process. It states 
that under this process manufacturers and importers of television 
receivers must maintain records of the results of their tests, although 
they are not required to submit sample products or test reports to the 
Commission unless specifically requested by the Commission. However, 
the UHF noise figure reporting requirement obligates manufacturers and 
importers to compile test measurement data on UHF noise figures for 
each model during the first year of its introduction and to file these 
performance measurements with the Commission. CEMA maintained that the 
requirement for filing this data is inconsistent with the concept of 
self-approval, which is the heart of the verification process. CEMA 
argued that the verification process and market forces are therefore 
sufficient to ensure compliance with the UHF noise figure requirement. 
Based on the record, we agree with CEMA that the filing of performance 
measurement data is no longer necessary to ensure compliance with our 
UHF noise figure requirement. Thus, we are amending our rules to 
eliminate Section 15.117(g)(3).
    4. Accordingly, it is ordered, that Part 15 of the Commission's 
Rules and Regulations ARE AMENDED as specified below, effective August 
16, 1996. The authority for issuance of this Report and Order is 
contained in Sections 4(i), 302, 303 (c), (f), (g), and (r), and 309(a) 
of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. Sections 
154(i), 302, 303 (c), (f), (g), and (r).

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Sec. 603, an Initial Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis was incorporated in the NPRM in ET Docket No. 95-144, FCC 95-
389, 60 FR 49421, September 22, 1995. Written comments on the proposal 
in the NPRM, including the Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, were 
requested. Only one comment and one reply comment were submitted by the 
petitioner, CEMA.
    1. Need for and Objective of Rules. Our objectives are to decrease 
the administrative burden on manufacturers and importers by eliminating 
the requirement for submission of performance data to demonstrate 
compliance with the Commission's UHF noise figure requirement. We 
believe this requirement is no longer necessary to ensure compliance. 
Therefore, by eliminating the requirement for manufacturers and 
importers to develop and file this data with the Commission, we expect 
to greatly reduce the administrative burden on industry as well as on 
the Commission.
    2. Issues Raised by the Public in Response to the Initial Analysis. 
The petitioner was the only party to offer comments to the proposal 
raised in the NPRM, but the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis was 
not raised as an issue.
    3. Any Significant Alternative Minimizing Impact on Small Entities 
and Consistent with Stated Objectives. The alternative to amending Part 
15 of the Commission's Rules is to continue the requirement that 
performance data be filed with the Commission to demonstrate compliance 
with the UHF noise figure requirement. However, this would result in a 
missed opportunity to remove an unnecessary administrative burden on 
industry.

List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 15

    Radio, Reporting and recordkeping requirements.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.

Rule Changes

    Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 15, is amended as 
follows:

PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES

    1. The authority citation for Part 15 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 4, 302, 303, 304, 307 and 624A of the 
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154, 302, 303, 
304, 307 and 544A.

    2. Section 15.117 is amended by removing and reserving paragraph 
(g)(3).

[FR Doc. 96-15210 Filed 6-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P