March was an active month at RETLIF TESTING LABORATORIES with the continued expansion of testing services and accreditations.

U.K. Civilian Aviation Authority Re-Accreditation

Representatives of the U.K. Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) successfully reassessed RETLIF during the past month. The scope of the accreditation, as defined on the issued certificate, is "for the purpose of carrying out EMC testing of aeronautical RF transmitting apparatus on behalf of the UK CAA Notified Body No. 0190 under the authority of UK EMC Regulations 1992.". Utilizing this assessment, RETLIF can provide all of the EMC type testing required for RF transmitters to be used in aeronautical applications in the U.K. While the final approval and RF measurement still need to be performed by a Notified Body, this "subcontracting" ability by RETLIF results in shorter testing cycles. In addition, through this relationship, we are better able to clearly define testing programs prior to the start of any testing program.

RETLIF "Competent Body" Status Update

In a letter dated November 25, 1998, RETLIF has been informed by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) that it has been designated as a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) in the area of EMC for testing and engineering work related to the EU's EMC Directive and that NIST would be submitting RETLIF's qualifications to the EU for final recognition. As this process continues, representatives of RETLIF have been invited and will be taking part in a two-day workshop on April 27^th and 28^th in Washington, DC that will focus on the application of the EMC Directive. Also present at the NIST sponsored workshop will be representatives from the EU will be on hand to further address and explain EU compliance routes and technical aspects of EU EMC standards. In addition, Walter A. Poggi, president of RETLIF has been invited to take part in a Joint Sectoral Meeting (JSM) being held the day before the workshop. The JSM is a government to government meeting which will be discussing such items as transition periods for designated laboratories and other procedural matters related to the U.S./E.U. Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). Mr. Poggi has been invited based on his longstanding involvement and his federally appointed industry expert status related to the trade talks that resulted in the MRA.

See Us at the Shows

Please come and visit our technical and sales representatives at the following national trade shows:

April: Society of Automotive Engineers, TOPTEC, April 26^th & 27^th, Detroit, MI.

May: American Society of Naval Engineers, May 21^st & 22^nd, Washington, DC

June: Arm Forces Communications & Electronics Association, June 15^th - 17^th, Washington DC

Poggi to Receive Region IEEE Award

Walter A. Poggi, president of RETLIF, will receive the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Region 1 Award for Electrical Engineering Management, during the group's April 25 awards ceremony. Mr. Poggi is receiving the award for his efforts in the international trade associated with the acceptance of U.S. generated test data to support product compliance and market entry. As stated on the award, "For his efforts in helping to develop industry initiatives which have led to the international acceptance of U.S. products internationally.".