Regulations & Compliance

Congress Silent On Dreamliner Woes

March 19, 2013 1:53 pm | by Joan Lowy, Associated Press | News | Comments

As Boeing, its airline customers and federal safety regulators struggled over the past two months to solve problems with the new 787 Dreamliner's fire-plagued batteries, one player has been strangely silent: Congress. Despite the plane's grounding and the safety issues raised by its cutting-edge technology, there have been no congressional hearings or news conferences focusing on the problems.

Panel Considers Future Of OR Clean Fuels Program

March 19, 2013 1:49 pm | by Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press | News | Comments

Executives from clean-energy companies asked Oregon lawmakers Monday to continue the state's clean fuels program beyond its expiration in 2015, saying they need the Legislature's blessing to help their budding industry take root. They faced off with oil companies and large-volume fuel users who implored lawmakers to hold off, saying the state is moving too fast and risks raising fuel costs significantly with an unworkable policy.

Ex-NASA Contractor Arrested On Plane To China

March 19, 2013 9:34 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

A Chinese national who worked at NASA's Langley Research Center has been arrested on a plane bound for Beijing on charges of lying to federal agents. Bo Jiang made his initial appearance Monday in Norfolk federal court. It wasn't immediately clear whether Jiang had an attorney.

Boeing Tech Workers Taking Re-Vote On Contract

March 18, 2013 4:25 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

The union for 7,400 Boeing technical workers counts ballots Monday night in the re-vote on a contract that would replace pensions with a 401(k) retirement plan. The technical unit split with engineers represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace in the Feb. 19 vote. The 15,500 engineers approved a new four-year contract.

Companies Begin Defense In Gulf Oil Spill Trial

March 18, 2013 4:25 pm | by Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press | News | Comments

The owner of the drilling rig that exploded at the outset of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill catastrophe started its defense Monday at a trial designed to determine the disaster's causes and assign fault to the companies involved. Transocean Ltd. called its first witness, well control expert Calvin Barnhill, on the 13th day of the trial.

BP Seeks To Block Gulf Spill Settlement Payments

March 18, 2013 10:17 am | by Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press | News | Comments

BP sued Friday to block what could be billions of dollars in settlement payouts to businesses over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The London-based oil giant accused the court-appointed administrator for the settlement, Patrick Juneau, of trying to rewrite the terms of the deal. BP said Juneau violated the settlement in the way he used a complex formula to determine the payments to businesses.

OR Bill Would Phase Out Chemicals Toxic To Kids

March 18, 2013 10:16 am | by Jeff Barnard, AP Environmental Writer | News | Comments

A bill before the Legislature would set up a state database to track the use of 19 chemicals in manufactured products shown to be harmful to children, and work with manufacturers to phase out use of the chemicals over five years. The bi-partisan bill is patterned after a law in Washington state.

France Mulls Law To Let Strikers Ransack Offices

March 15, 2013 2:03 pm | by Sarah DiLorenzo, AP Business Writer | News | Comments

With its long vacations, short hours and myriad workers' rights, France has a reputation for being a hard place to do business. Now add this to the mix: A law working its way through parliament would grant amnesty to workers who have ransacked their company's offices or threatened their bosses during a labor dispute.

Google Wi-Fi Spying: How Case Will Impact Company

March 15, 2013 12:31 pm | by CBS News | Videos | Comments

CBS News legal analyst Jack Ford speaks to the CBS This Morning co-hosts about Google's settlement in the Wi-Fi spying case, and what it means for the search-engine giant. A program gave Google the power to intercept emails, passwords, and other information through unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

Colt Shuts Plant, Workers Talk To CT Lawmakers

March 15, 2013 10:12 am | by Susan Haigh, Associated Press | News | Comments

The president of one of the nation's oldest gun manufacturers closed down his Connecticut factory Thursday morning and bused 400 of his workers to the state Capitol so they could personally urge lawmakers not to pass gun control legislation that they say could risk their livelihoods.

$2.25M Penalty For MO Pharmaceuticals Plant

March 15, 2013 10:10 am | by Jim Salter, Associated Press | News | Comments

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. will pay a $2.25 million penalty for violations that included allowing fluorescent green discharge into a river at its plant in northeast Missouri, state and federal officials said Thursday. Teva makes antibiotics at a plant outside of Mexico, Mo., about 120 miles northwest of St. Louis.

Workers Protest For EU Leaders To End Austerity

March 14, 2013 1:47 pm | by Raf Casert, Associated Press | News | Comments

Thousands of workers protested in Brussels on Thursday to demand that EU leaders gathering for a summit bring an end to austerity measures and instead focus on boosting growth and reducing unemployment. The demonstration vented frustration over years of austerity imposed by EU leaders that unions and many economists say is worsening the recession and driving ever more people into unemployment and poverty.

Boeing Flies High On 787 Battery Hopes

March 14, 2013 12:04 pm | by CNN Money | Videos | Comments

The Dreamliner may still be grounded, but Boeing's stock has come roaring back lately as investors feel the worst is over. It's now outperforming the Dow. The FAA has given Boeing the go ahead on new solutions for the lithium battery issue, and that may be boosting investors' confidence in the company again.

FAA Approves Boeing Plan To Fix 787's Batteries

March 13, 2013 10:26 am | by Joan Lowy, Joshua Freed, Associated Press | News | Comments

A Boeing plan to redesign the 787 Dreamliner's fire-plagued lithium-ion batteries won approval Tuesday from the Federal Aviation Administration, moving the cutting-edge planes a step closer to flying passengers again. The plan includes changes to the internal battery components to minimize the possibility of short-circuiting, which can lead to overheating and cause a fire.

HP's Autonomy Allegations Trigger Another Inquiry

March 12, 2013 1:54 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

British authorities have opened an investigation into Hewlett-Packard's allegations that the personal computer maker was duped when it bought business software maker Autonomy, according to regulatory documents filed Monday. The inquiry by the U.K. Serious Fraud Office is the latest legal fallout from a deal that has saddled Hewlett-Packard Co. with massive losses and depressed its stock price.

Kansas Legislators Jump Into Business Tax Fight

March 12, 2013 1:50 pm | by John Hanna, AP Political Writer | News | Comments

Kansas legislators have jumped into a tax dispute over refineries and fertilizer and cement plants, but critics worry that helping their operators could pinch local governments and hurt homeowners and small businesses. A bill before the Kansas House would revise a state law on how counties value machinery and equipment in complex manufacturing plants when levying property taxes.

China Wrestles With Cost Of Cleaner Environment

March 12, 2013 10:20 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | Comments

Facing public outrage over smog-choked cities and filthy rivers, China's leaders are promising to clean up the country's neglected environment — a pledge that sets up a clash with political pressures to keep economic growth strong. An array of possible initiatives discussed by officials and state media ahead of this week's meeting of China's legislature include tightening water standards and taxing carbon emissions.

Google To Pay $7M To Settle Wi-Fi Case

March 11, 2013 2:22 pm | by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer | News | Comments

Google will pay a $7 million penalty to settle an investigation into the Internet search leader's collection of emails, passwords and other sensitive information sent over wireless networks several years ago in neighborhoods scattered around America. The resolution will close a joint investigation by attorneys general in about 30 U.S. states, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Corning Will Pay $5.65M In Government Settlement

March 11, 2013 2:17 pm | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

Corning Inc., which makes glass used in tablets, TVs and other devices, will pay $5.65 million to settle claims that it knowingly made false statements to the government for laboratory research products, the Justice Department said Friday. The charges stem from a 2005 contract with federal agencies for laboratory research products through Corning's Life Sciences division.

IEPA Seeks Order Against Spray Paint Manufacturer

March 11, 2013 10:20 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency wants to stop a northern Illinois business from restarting operations following explosions and a fire that injured workers. IEPA Director John Kim has asked the Illinois Attorney General's Office to seek a court order preventing FVMS Inc. in Cary from reopening.

U.S. Relaxes Export Controls On Some Military Parts

March 11, 2013 10:15 am | by Josh Lederman, Associated Press | News | Comments

Taking its first concrete step to streamline outdated restrictions on military exports, the U.S. moved to make it easier for American companies to sell aircraft equipment and parts to overseas customers. The goal is to simplify the export process for U.S. manufacturers competing in the global market by treating non-sensitive products differently than things like jet fighters and missile launchers.

Understanding Your Liability: Shipping Lithium Battery Powered Devices

March 11, 2013 9:08 am | by Jim Powell, President, Transportation Development Group LLC | Articles | Comments

The current plight of Boeing highlights not only the safety risks, but also the commercial risks of lithium battery-powered products and devices. These days, rechargeable lithium ion batteries, and primary non-rechargeable lithium batteries are everywhere. And unfortunately, they are also considered “Dangerous Goods” (or “HazMat,” a term used in the U.S.).

Boeing 787 Battery Fire Was Difficult To Control

March 8, 2013 2:15 pm | by Joan Lowy, Joshua Freed, Associated Press | News | Comments

The National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday released 547 pages of reports and supporting materials about its investigation of the Jan. 7 fire. The documents show firefighters struggling to tame a small but worrisome fire that has left investigators relieved that it happened after a flight and not during one.

OSHA Proposes Fines In Death At Peoria Plant

March 8, 2013 10:12 am | by The Associated Press | News | Comments

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has charged Komatsu America Corp. with safety violations at its plant in Peoria and proposed an $82,000 fine in the death of an employee. The Journal Star in Peoria reports that a 53-year-old man was testing hydraulic equipment when his arm was severed.

Countdown To REACH — Complying With Document Delivery Challenges

March 8, 2013 9:27 am | by Malcolm Carroll, Director, Reach Delivery | Articles | Comments

The aim of REACH is to improve and ensure the safe use of chemicals, and the one of the things that REACH does is make all parties in the supply chain — from manufacturers, distributors through to downstream users — directly responsible for the safety of the chemical substances they handle.