Filings
Retailers are very interested in advancing broadband in America. Consumer appetite for bandwidth continues to grow as internet use becomes video intensive and mobile applications bring the internet to your pocket.
CERC is especially pleased that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has begun work on making possible for consumers to chose their cable access devices rather than only be able to rent them from their service provider.
Product saftey is of the highest important to CERC members. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) is implementing new legislation to better protect consumers, especially children, from products that contain lead and Phthalates. CERC has offered suggestions to the CSPC to ensure that the new law is implemented in a manner that does not add excessive costs to consumers and preserves the ability of consumers to purchase safe products.
Comments on CPSC Civil Penalties – 12.17.08
Section 101: Comments and Information: Children’s Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule – 10.31.08
CERC was proud to be at the forefont of America's successful transition to digital television. All CERC members participated in the federal coupon program which helped viewers purchase a converter box to watch digital television on an analog television set. Now that DTV has arrived, CERC, broadcasters and manufactures have published an antenna guide to help consumers find the best antenna to fully enjoy digital television broadcasts.
CERC members are strong supporters of the very succesful Energy Star program which is a voluntary effort to educate and inform consumers of the energy use of appliances. CERC does not support a state by state approach to energy efficiency. If energy efficiency standards are to be implemented for televisions and other consumer electronics, it should be done at the federal level based on solid science and engineering and following a full opportunity to comment.
CERC members appreciate and support the dedicated and heroic work of all those who make 911 work nationwide. CERC opposes efforts by telecommunications carriers to shift the burden of collecting 911 fees from prepaid wireless subscribers from the carriers to retailers. Such a system will be expensive for consumers, retailers and states and would produce fewer resources for 911 than would be collected if current carrier based obligations were fully enforced.
CERC members have led the way to divert electronic waste from landfills by encouraging and facilitating recycling. CERC believes that recycling legislation should be handled on the federal level. However, a number of states have enacted electronic recycling laws. If a state is to adopt a recycling law, it is important that it be based on the principal of manufacturer responsibility. CERC opposes advance recovery fees, because of the burden they place on consumers and the failure of the system to encourage economies of scale in the recycling industry.
Rechargable lithium batteries power countless consumer electronics devices. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering new rules about the shipment of lithium batteries by air. CERC is encouraging the DOT to take consumer and retailer costs into account in setting the rules for lithium batteries and products which use them. DOT should not impose new costs on consumers when there is no evidence of risk to air safety,