BRUSSELS -- The EU is soliciting comments on its New Approach Consultation paper,  which covers CE mark requirements, among other things.

The U.S. Department of Commerce plans on submitting comments and encourages affected companies to do the same, said Bob Straetz of the Commerce Department's Office of the European Union. "Anyone who has to meet CE mark requirements on a regular basis might be interested in seeing this report. The last five pages of the 51-page document discuss possible revisions to the CE mark program. "

Comments are due July 26.

ATLANTA – Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems has inked a deal under which Northtouch/Comtree will  represent Siemens in Canada, effective immediately.

In a press statement, David Intson, Siemens Canada sales manager for the Electronics Assembly Systems division, said, “This new relationship will provide Siemens with enhanced customer access to the Canadian electronics industry. While Northtouch/Comtree have been highly successful for many years in providing advanced SMT assembly solutions to the Canadian market; Siemens has been very successful in penetrating new accounts with leading edge SMT placement solutions for NPI, high-mix and high-volume applications. The joining of these organizations will result in enhanced customer focus and continued growth of SMT placement solutions for the Canadian market.”

Siemens Energy and Automation Inc. represents Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) in the U.S. Its parent company, Siemens AG, is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $96 billion in fiscal 2005. Siemens has sales of $18.8 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people in the U.S.

ATLANTA – Siemens Automation and Drives has acquired 3D AOI maker Opto-Control Elektronik Prufsysteme GmbH, effective July 5.

Opto-Control’s inspection systems are fully automated and use 3-D sensor to detect solder or placement defects.  The newly expanded Siplace portfolio combines these AOI systems from Opto-Control with Siemens SMT placement machines, enabling customers to better implement the high process reliability requirements of electronics manufacturing, the company said.

The Opto-Control business will be integrated into the Optical Solutions (OI) unit of Siemens’ Electronics Assembly Systems division. Siemens said it wants to significantly expand its system with fully automated 3-D inspection systems in the future.