Blackberry 2013 Annual Report Download - page 39

also “Risk Factors - The Company relies on its suppliers to supply functional components and is exposed to the risks that these
suppliers will not supply components on a timely basis or of the desired quality; if the Company’s sales volumes decrease or do not
reach projected targets it may result in increased costs that could make its products less competitive.”
Regulatory Matters
In addition to the regulatory requirements applicable to any business, an access device manufacturer must obtain certification from
the radio/telecommunications regulatory authorities in most jurisdictions before commencing commercial sale of its products in those
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urisdictions. A significant competitive advantage exists for manufacturers with established businesses who have previously met the
certification requirements for their products and who are familiar with the regulatory process.
The Company’s products must be approved by the FCC before they can be used in commercial quantities in the United States. In
Canada, the relevant regulatory authority is Industry Canada. The European Community (“EC”) defines CE marking requirements
within the Radio and Telecommunication Terminal Equipment (“R&TTE”) Directive for use in EC member states. Regulatory
requirements are similar in other jurisdictions. All regulators require access devices to meet various standards, including limits with
respect to interference with other electronic equipment and safety standards with respect to human exposure to electromagnetic
radiation.
The Company’s BlackBerry wireless devices, which are made commercially available by the Company, meet FCC, Industry Canada,
and EC requirements. In addition, Company devices have obtained regulatory approvals required by other countries where such
products are made commercially available by the Company.
At the present time, the Company has the required regulatory certifications for its testing facilities which allow the Company to
perform all the testing required by the FCC, Industry Canada, and the EC. In addition, the Company can also perform some of the
testing which is required by other international regulatory authorities in some of the countries where the Company’s products are
commercially available.
Corporate Responsibility
The Company is committed to operating in a sustainable way that respects the environment, Company employees, the communities in
which the Company operates and the Company’s business partners around the world. Product sustainability efforts include
implementing design for environment principles, material selection processes, energy efficiency and packaging assessments as well as
product take back programs. Additionally, the Company has formalized a number of policies to reflect the Company’s commitment to
responsible business practices and issues a Corporate Responsibility (“CR”) report annually. The CR report as well as other
documents and policies relating to the Company’s efforts in this area can be viewed on the Company’s website.
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