ACT Expo returns to Southern California for another groundbreaking event
ACT Expo returns to Southern California for another groundbreaking event

November 4, 2024 Following last year’s record-breaking Las Vegas event, the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo will return to the Anaheim Convention Center from April 28 to May 1, 2025, located in Southern California’s booming The center of the cleantech ecosystem. in its 15th ACT Expo is the commercial transportation industry's largest conference and expo focused on vehicle technologies and fuels that drive economic and environmental fleet sustainability. Widely considered the industry's premier networking event, ACT Expo will bring together more than 12,000 transportation stakeholders, including fleet managers, OEMs, technology providers, utilities, public agencies, dealers and industry associations. Cleaning technology more advanced than ever With even more space this year, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the clean transportation technology industry. The show floor will be packed with more than 450 exhibitors showcasing the latest in low-carbon and zero-emission vehicles, battery technology, hydrogen fuel cell advancements, renewable fuels, autonomous driving technology and more. Attendees can expect to see a…

European Union: Impact of the Artificial Intelligence Act (EU
European Union: Impact of the Artificial Intelligence Act (EU

in short EU Regulation 2024/1689 on Artificial Intelligence aims to introduce strict rules on the design, implementation and placing on the market of artificial intelligence systems. It applies to suppliers established within Europe and suppliers established outside the EU. The impact of the above regulations on so-called SAMD (i.e. software as medical devices) classified as "high risk" appears to be equally significant. In this regard, it is worth noting how such obligations will come into effect from 2 August 2027 for artificial intelligence systems classified as “high risk”, while from 2 August 2026 the Regulation will be universally applicable. Questions remain about how the regulation will be implemented. For Class I medical device software, designated agency intervention is obviously not required, and they would not fall within the concept of "high risk" AI SAMD, provided that such SAMDs are not classified as medical devices, or do not fall within the concept of "high risk" AI SAMD category. Medical devices higher…

Japan: Recent amendments to the Anti-Unfair Practices Act
Japan: Recent amendments to the Anti-Unfair Practices Act

in short A law amending the Unreasonable Premiums and Misleading Statements Act ("Behavior") effective October 1, 2024.1 The Consumer Affairs Agency roughly divides the amendments into three categories: "promoting voluntary efforts by entrepreneurs," "strengthening deterrence of violations," and "enacting regulations to ensure smooth implementation." In this alert, we provide a brief introduction and overview of the revisions. (1) Introduction to commitment procedures The most noteworthy aspect of these amendments is the introduction of a commitment procedure.2 Before the revision, there was no system for evaluating entrepreneurs' proactive measures to correct and prevent recurrence of violations. The undertaking procedure enables entrepreneurs suspected of making misleading statements, etc., to avoid administrative processing (e.g. action orders3 or administrative fine ("surcharge")Payment Order), prepare and submit a corrective action plan and obtain approval from the Prime Minister. (2) The surcharge refund system is more flexible Article 10 of the Law stipulates that a specific consumer who engages in a transaction of goods or services involving…

Philippines: Private Sector Employment Act
Philippines: Private Sector Employment Act

Legal guidance on workers' rights, employment types, layoffs, social insurance, and other labor-related matters brief The Philippine economy is expected to improve, solidifying its position as one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. The Philippines remains an attractive country to do business in due to its relatively low labor costs and a mostly bilingual workforce. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippines' employment rate rose to 96.4% in November 2023 from 95.8% in November 2022 and October 2023. The country's unemployment rate fell to its lowest level at 4.2% in October last year. This shows that the government's initiatives to improve job opportunities and labor conditions have been successful, resulting in a strong labor force participation rate. The Guide to Employment Law in the Private Sector in the Philippines is designed to provide employers and HR professionals with a comprehensive overview of key aspects of Philippine labor law. It covers the entire employment relationship cycle from hiring…

Peru: Aviation Violations and Penalties Act,
Peru: Aviation Violations and Penalties Act,

Failure to renew or modify aircraft used for commercial aviation services in accordance with environmental protection and noise protection regulations or restrictions set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC)Very severe(A) 30 to 950 Peruvian Tax Units (UIT)(B) 10 to 300 UITFailure to meet aircraft/engine noise certification standards (acoustic approval criteria)Very severe(A) 30 to 950 UIT(B) 10 to 300 UITAffects the normal development of community life and environmental protection as stipulated in laws, regulations, technical annex "Environmental Protection" and/or DGAC regulationsVery severe(A) 30 to 950 UIT(B) 10 to 300 UITFailure to comply with established noise abatement limits and/or failure to follow noise abatement operating procedures as outlined in the Airport and Route Manuals and corresponding AIPs (Aeronautical Information Publications)Very severe(A) 30 to 950 UIT(B) 10 to 300 UITFailure to dispose of hazardous materials and/or foreign matter on airport surfaces; allowing the handling and/or storage, disposal and treatment of hazardous materials and/or flammable liquids at the airport; failure to comply…

GM Duramax lawsuit partially dismissed on appeal
GM Duramax lawsuit partially dismissed on appeal

The Duramax diesel engine emissions class action lawsuit affects the Silverado and Sierra 2500 and 3500. September 2, 2024 — After the GM Duramax lawsuit was dismissed and appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, portions of the litigation remain ongoing. The appeals showed that different judges can interpret exactly the same law and reach completely different conclusions. Two judges on the Sixth Circuit ruled that parts of the lawsuit should not be dismissed, but another judge disagreed. The GM Duramax lawsuit was filed in 2017 after several automakers were sued over diesel emissions issues following Volkswagen's diesel emissions problems. The class action lawsuit alleges that GM's Duramax diesel engines in 2011 through 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and 2011 through 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 diesel trucks emit excessive levels of nitrogen oxides. The trucks were advertised as being equipped with “clean diesel” Duramax engines to protect the environment, according to the lawsuit.…

ZM Trucks debuts at ACT Expo
ZM Trucks debuts at ACT Expo

May 23, 2024 ZM Trucks, the newest zero-emission commercial truck brand to hit the market, will introduce five models to the North American market by the end of the year. Each ZM Trucks model is optimized for local market needs and will be assembled in North America, complying with all North American regulations. "ZM Trucks is not your typical untested startup. As a subsidiary of ZO Motors Tokyo, our zero-emission vehicles are based on proven, reliable technology and have access to deep financial and supply chain resources and partnerships that are out of reach for most startup brands," said Joost de Vries, CEO of ZM Trucks. "ZM Trucks will deliver tangible financial, operational and regulatory competitive advantages, such as improved cost-per-mile performance, reduced maintenance downtime, better city center mobility due to noise reduction regulations, and enhanced driver comfort." The five models include: ZM4 – A Level 4 battery-electric van with a unibody design, high payload and a 132 kWh high-voltage…

ACT Shipper-Carrier Connectivity: The Need for Partnership
ACT Shipper-Carrier Connectivity: The Need for Partnership

June 5, 2024 Three things have greatly accelerated the development of sustainable logistics in North America over the past decade: zero-emission regulations, the proliferation of clean transportation technologies, and a growing number of shippers prioritizing sustainability to reduce the impact of their freight operations. Held for the first time this year, ACT Shipper-Carrier Connect unites shippers, carriers, logistics partners and solution providers and introduces them to the critical role that partnerships play in achieving shared goals of economic and environmental sustainability. Building on decades of foundational work, start reducing greenhouse gas emissions now All speakers at ACT Shippers-Carriers Connect agreed that it would take the industry as a whole – and each company setting its own targets – to reduce the impact of transport on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The transport sector accounts for 23% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, according to Dr Alan Lewis, chief technology officer at the Smart Freight Centre.2 Freight transport accounts for 35% of total…

ACT Expo 2025 is seeking dynamic speakers and presenters
ACT Expo 2025 is seeking dynamic speakers and presenters

June 19, 2024 With ACT Expo 2024 behind us, the TRC team is already gearing up for 2025. As we return to Anaheim, we will be launching our annual call for abstracts. ACT Expo 2025 will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center from April 28 to May 1, 2025, bringing together the cleantech industry’s biggest stakeholders, and we invite you to join us for innovative workshops, insightful fireside chats, or forward-thinking breakout sessions with some of the biggest names in commercial transportation. ACT Expo features commercial transportation leaders presenting dynamic, cutting-edge case studies and insights on the latest trends and emerging topics impacting the industry, including presentations on: Large-scale deployment of advanced clean vehicles Advances in renewable fuels Charging and refueling infrastructure construction Connected Car Technology Implementation Advanced Energy Management Federal and State Regulations and Funding Programs Improved efficiency across all weight classes and vehicle applications Your case study should be relevant to end-user fleets and focus on actual…

Scrapping cars is an environmentally friendly act
Scrapping cars is an environmentally friendly act

When it comes to getting rid of your old car, many people might choose to dump it in a junkyard or leave it parked in their driveway. However, this can have negative impacts on the environment. From releasing harmful chemicals into the soil and air to taking up valuable space in landfills, letting your old car rot can have serious consequences. That’s why scrapping your car is not only good for you, but it’s also good for the planet.This article explores how scrapping cars can benefit the environment. Reducing pollution Old, unused cars release toxic chemicals and fluids into the environment. These chemicals can seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater, causing harm to humans and animals. Additionally, as these cars continue to rust and deteriorate, they release pollutants into the air. By scrapping your car, you prevent these harmful substances from entering the environment and reduce pollution levels. Proper disposal of hazardous materials Cars contain many different parts and…

Scrapping cars is an environmentally friendly act
Scrapping cars is an environmentally friendly act

When it comes to getting rid of your old car, many people might choose to dump it in a junkyard or leave it parked in their driveway. However, this can have negative impacts on the environment. From releasing harmful chemicals into the soil and air to taking up valuable space in landfills, letting your old car rot can have serious consequences. That’s why scrapping your car is not only good for you, but it’s also good for the planet.This article explores how scrapping cars can benefit the environment. Reducing pollution Old, unused cars release toxic chemicals and fluids into the environment. These chemicals can seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater, causing harm to humans and animals. Additionally, as these cars continue to rust and deteriorate, they release pollutants into the air. By scrapping your car, you prevent these harmful substances from entering the environment and reduce pollution levels. Proper disposal of hazardous materials Cars contain many different parts and…