Search Results for keywords:"CSA Group Testing

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved information collection associated with the Connect America Fund rules. These rules are part of an effort to support broadband internet development in areas with high costs. Carriers receiving support must now report their broadband network performance, including speed and latency, quarterly rather than annually. The revised requirements, which focus on ensuring carriers comply with performance standards, are in effect from February 24, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a final rule clarifying the test procedures for general service lamps (GSLs). These clarifications emphasize that GSLs shouldn't be tested as colored lamps, and if a lamp includes extra components not affecting light output, those components should be turned off during tests. For non-integrated lamps, the rule specifies testing with a ballast or driver that's compatible and commercially available, where possible. The final rule is designed to ensure consistent testing without imposing additional costs or burdens on manufacturers.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has finalized changes to the test procedures for residential and commercial clothes washers and consumer clothes dryers. These updates include adjustments to the specifications of test cloth used in test procedures, such as clarifying the requirements for fabric weight and thread count, adding an alternative type of test cloth, and streamlining test cloth specifications for both washers and dryers. These changes, which aim to improve test consistency and adaptability to fabric availability, will be effective on February 18, 2025. Importantly, these amendments are not expected to increase testing costs or burdens on manufacturers.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule detailing changes to regulations associated with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for the year 2026. This rule covers various elements such as payment parameters, risk adjustment programs, and changes to user fee rates for health plans offered through Exchanges. It also introduces modifications to how quality improvement and medical loss ratio reporting are managed, aiming to enhance health equity, reduce health disparities, and minimize the administrative burden on healthcare providers. These updates are part of ongoing efforts to ensure consumers have access to quality and affordable health coverage.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is inviting public comments on the renewal of an information collection related to "Market Risk," as part of its ongoing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. According to this rule, national banks and federal savings associations with significant market risk exposure are required to adhere to specific guidelines for managing and disclosing this risk. Public comments on the necessity, accuracy, and ways to improve the information collection process are due by June 17, 2025. The OCC aims to ensure that these financial institutions maintain sufficient capital adequacy for their market risk level through these regulations.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is proposing to update more than 20 incorporated consensus standards in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. This proposed rulemaking involves incorporating newer versions of technical standards, clarifying regulatory language, and making minor corrections to improve clarity without imposing new initiatives on pipeline operators. The changes will allow operators to use the latest technologies and practices in pipeline safety, while also aligning with federal policies to incorporate voluntary consensus standards. Public comments on the proposal are invited until March 16, 2021.

In a new final rule, the Department of Energy (DOE) has updated its test procedures for small electric motors and electric motors to align more closely with industry standards. This includes incorporating the latest version of the IEEE 112 standard, adding a new IEC standard as an optional method for testing, and providing clearer definitions and testing instructions to improve consistency and reduce testing burdens for manufacturers. The rule emphasizes that these changes will not affect the measured efficiency of the motors and sets specific compliance dates for manufacturers to implement the new procedures. The revisions are expected to reduce costs and harmonize testing practices with international standards.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Polyether Polyols (PEPO) Production industry. The proposed changes, under the Clean Air Act (CAA), aim to address harmful emissions of ethylene oxide (EtO) and other hazardous air pollutants to improve air quality and public health. The EPA suggests tighter controls on process vents, storage vessels, equipment leaks, heat exchange systems, and wastewater, and plans to implement fenceline monitoring to measure and manage emissions more effectively. The agency estimates significant reductions in harmful emissions with these new standards.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), part of the Department of Energy, is seeking public comments on its plan to extend its Generic Clearance for Questionnaire Testing, Evaluation, and Research for three more years. This extension, under the Paperwork Reduction Act, allows EIA to use various methods to improve the quality of collected data and make survey processes more efficient. These methods include pilot surveys, cognitive interviews, and focus groups, among others. EIA has asked for feedback on the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection, its estimate of respondent burden, and ways to minimize this burden. Public comments are due by February 4, 2025.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the Department of Transportation, announced a new study to examine how Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) systems help drivers respond better. They plan to collect information from up to 80 drivers and want feedback from the public by May 9, 2025. The aim is to improve safety features in cars, reducing crashes by preventing lane departures. NHTSA will later release a report with their findings.