On January 10, 2012, the FCC released a Report and Order adopting rules requiring that Emergency Alert System (“EAS”) Participants be able to receive and transmit Common Alerting Protocol (“CAP”)-formatted messages.  Last week, the FCC published the Report and Order in the Federal Register, triggering the effective date for the new rules.  That effectives date is April 23, 2012, except for new rules subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act.  Those rules will become effective upon OMB approval.  

The deadline to comply with the CAP requirements remains June 30, 2012.  

If you have questions related to EAS or CAP compliance, please contact Bruce Beard at (314) 394-1535 or bbeard@cm-chi.com.