Daily News Briefs

Eastman Kodak Co. has announced an alliance with TUV Rheinland of North America Inc., based in Newtown, Conn., to provide regulatory compliance and testing services. Kodak said the alliance will facilitate the commercialization of new products, particularly its digital imaging products. The alliance will involve the increased use of Kodak's Rochester-based equipment product safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing laboratories, which are accredited by several national product safety and EMC certification agencies to perform testing and certification support for information technology, laboratory and medical equipment products. TUV Rheinland will also offer the services to its customers in the northeast US and in Canada. The company is a subsidiary of TUV Rheinland Group, Germany. . . . Laserscope, a San Jose, Calif., developer of medical lasers and fiber optic devices and energy delivery devices for the office, outpatient surgical center and hospital markets, has signed an exclusive three-year agreement with Miami-based MD International Inc., which will distribute Laserscope's GreenLight PVP (photoselective vaporization of the prostate) laser system, PVP disposable fiber optics and aesthetic laser system line in Latin America and the Caribbean. . . . Smiths Detection, a provider of x-ray and trace detection equipment, announced it has received an order, valued at more than $6 million, to supply x-ray systems to screen checked and carry-on baggage at Houari Boumediene International Airport, located near Alger, Algeria's capital. The contract includes conventional machines for hand baggage and Smiths' first order for a HI-SCAN 10080 EDX automatic-hold baggage screening system. It also includes the delivery of 25 conventional Smiths Heimann x-ray inspection systems for carry-on baggage, oversized baggage and freight. Installation is scheduled between July and December. Smiths Detection has headquarters in Germany and is part of the UK-based Smiths Group.