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PROVIDENCE, RI – Rhode Island will reportedly attempt to establish a manufacturer-financed system for the collection, recycling and reuse of old computers and other consumer electronic waste, under a measure now before the R.I. General Assembly.

The measure, called the Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling Act (H7880 and S2631), also suggests state “encourage the design of covered electronic products that are less toxic, more durable and more recyclable.”

The measure would apply to new desktop and laptop computers, computer monitors, television sets, and TV or video display with a diagonally measured screen four inches or larger.

The legislation would bar non-complying manufacturers from offering the listed products in the state, and keep retailers from selling new electronic equipment from manufacturers that do not comply with the new law.

Manufacturers would be required to register each year by Sept. 1 and be assessed $5,000 per year. Companies on the list would then be required to provide a list of all brands it makes, sells or imports into Rhode Island.

Sheila Dormody, Rhode Island director of Clean Water Action, said in a statement, “When manufacturers are responsible for their waste, it creates a market incentive for them to reduce their costs by eliminating hazardous materials and designing products to be more durable, less toxic, and easier to recycle.”

Nine states have already passed legislation requiring manufacturers to contribute to the cost of collecting and recycling electronic waste produced by their products.

SCHAUMBURG, IL - Motorola will close its handset factory in Singapore by the end of the year, cutting 700 jobs. According to Mary Lamb, company spokesperson, the company will start shutting down the facilities from the second quarter.

In an ongoing effort to cut costs, the decision is part of a "strategic review of business operations" the company said an e-mailed statement.

Company CEO Greg Brown said in January that the company would start cutting costs in order to bring down expenses by $500 million. He didn't say how many jobs would be affected.

Motorola will maintain its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore, along with its research and software development centers also located there, according to the statement.

Videocon Group, the largest consumer electronics maker in India, is reportedly interested in the possible purchase of Motorola's mobile-phone business.

ARMONK, NY - IBM is under investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and has been temporarily barred from participating in any new business with the federal government.

The notice of suspension relates to an investigation by the EPA for possible violations regarding an IBM bid for EPA business submitted in March 2006.

The investigation stems from IBM's alleged violation of rules under the procurement integrity portion of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act, which establishes requirements regarding vendor integrity in federal government contracts. The law governs vendor behavior when dealing with a contracting official of the agency, including making offers of employment or business opportunities, offering money, gratuities, or soliciting or obtaining confidential information about a contract before an award is made.

In addition, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia has served some IBM employees with grand jury subpoenas regarding interactions between IBM employees and the EPA.

IBM released a statement saying that the company had "served the federal agency community for many decades as a vendor in good standing and is committed to the highest standards of business ethics. IBM provides training on its business conduct guidelines to all employees... to ensure compliance with all applicable federal requirements.”

IBM also said that prior to learning of the suspension, it was not aware that the EPA or US Attorney’s Office were considering any action against the company.

IBM has 30 days to contest the suspension, which can continue for up to one year pending the completion of the investigation. IBM said that while it will cooperate with the investigation, it will take all appropriate action to challenge the suspension.

BANNOCKBURN, IL – The IPC has honored Colonial Circuits, Inc. with the Peter Sarmanian Award, and Lockheed Martin with the Stan Plzak Award, in recognition of their support of IPC in standards development and other IPC activities. The companies were recognized during the IPC Annual Meeting Luncheon, April 1 in Las Vegas.

Colonial Circuits has been an IPC member since 1981 and is a member of IPC’s Executive Market and Technology Forum. For more than 15 years, Colonial Circuits has been host to various IPC design for manufacture workshops (DfM) at its Fredericksburg, Va. Location.

Lockheed Martin is one year away from celebrating its 50th anniversary as an IPC member company, and more than three dozen Lockheed Martin staff provide technical expertise on 110 standards development committees ranging from assembly and design, to boards and supply chain standards.