NEWSReport No. CI 97-1     COMPLIANCE AND INFORMATION ACTIONJanuary 17, 1997

       FCC'S COMPLIANCE AND INFORMATION BUREAU LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE
         COMPUTER MARKETING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO PUBLICIZE NEW
              RELAXED EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS
                                                                         
                  Computer Marketing Rules Simplified 
                                    

      The FCC's Compliance and Information Bureau has announced a Computer Marketing
Awareness Campaign to be conducted by the FCC District Offices.  Field Agents will begin
visiting computer manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to promote awareness of computer
marketing regulations and encourage compliance with the new relaxed equipment
authorization requirements.   During these visits, Agents will distribute information packages
and solicit comments or concerns sellers may have.    In addition, Agents will  screen
computers offered for sale (using near-field EMI probes) to evaluate the equipment's
compliance with radio frequency emission limitations.   Although this screening is not a
substitute for compliance measurements made by an accredited test laboratory,  our probes
used as screening devices have proven to be reliable indicators of excessive emissions.  The
store manager will be advised of the Agent's findings.

     If you are visited by an Agent, the following is what you can expect:

     1.  The Agent will ask to speak to the store manager and will provide him or her with
     an information package which explains the new rules. 

     2.  The Agent will then ask to see the computers on display so they can be tested in-
     place, using near-field EMI probes. 

     3.  The Agent will document which computers are being tested and advise the store
     manager of those that appear to exceed the emission limitations.

     4.  If any computers appear to exceed the emission limitations, the store manager may
     be requested on-site (or at a later date) to provide that particular equipment to the FCC
     Office of Engineering and Technology for further testing.  

     For information concerning this program, contact the Compliance and Information
Bureau at 202-418-1170.
                                  - FCC -