Battery Bill, Hedge Monitor, Comverse Settlement: Compliance

Companies led by Apple Inc., Panasonic Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. would save $1.13 billion under U.S. legislation barring limits on air shipments of lithium batteries that go beyond international standards.

The legislation, approved by the House legislation April 1, prevents President Barack Obama’s administration from enacting a proposed rule that treats billions of batteries shipped or packed into laptop computers, cellular phones and digital cameras as hazardous materials. The rule would trigger packaging, training and handling requirements for manufacturers, retailers and airlines.