Dear IPC Members:

Your IPC Government Relations team is continuing to advocate for you and the broader industry, with an immediate focus on the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and a longer-term focus on the industry’s competitiveness and resilience.

This week, IPC released a marquee report outlining the role our industry can play in Europe’s COVID recovery. Please give it a read; then contact Alison James if you’d like to be more involved in our EU advocacy; or contact me or visit our Advocacy Center to get involved in our U.S. advocacy.

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

Europe’s Recovery and Long-Term Future Depends on Electronics: This week, a new IPC report illustrated how the electronics industry will be instrumental to Europe’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and its long-term green and digital ambitions. The study comes ahead of crucial, upcoming decisions by the European Commission, which is releasing a revised industrial policy strategy later this month, and by European Union Member States, where COVID recovery plans are being developed for potential financial support from the commission. Read more about the study here, and let us know if you have any questions or comments. IPC Contact: Alison James.
 
Biden Addresses Manufacturing Concerns in “Skinny Budget”: On April 9, U.S. President Joe Biden released the “skinny budget” for his administration’s discretionary budget request for FY2022, which highlights the priorities of the new administration. IPC is pleased to see proposed funding increases for vital workforce training, manufacturing, and research and development (R&D) programs. IPC looks forward to reviewing the administration’s detailed budget request, which is expected in the coming weeks. We will let you know of any developments relevant to our industry. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Although the pandemic shattered many industries, the data shows the electronics manufacturing industry will be a key sector responsible for driving European's economic recovery and meeting future market needs.” - Alison James, IPC Senior Director of European Government Relations, shares why Europe will need government policies that strengthen the resiliency of the electronics manufacturing industry in a new IPC report.

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

Help Shape Factory of the Future Migration: IPC is inviting your participation in a new U.S. working group that will help prepare a policy roadmap for the Factory of the Future. The group will develop a white paper identifying policy measures that the U.S. Government can implement to support the electronics industry’s migration to factories of the future, to be used by IPC to promote legislative and regulatory proposals. Let us know if you would like to join and participate. IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.
 
My Takeaways from IPC APEX EXPO 2021: The electronics industry has responded to the coronavirus global pandemic with resiliency, agility, and an unwavering commitment to build electronics better. Check out my top five takeaways from IPC APEX EXPO 2021 in this I-Connect007 article. And remember, all conference content is available online through June 13. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Heads Up – Your Business May See Increased Workplace Inspections: The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to reduce worker exposures to COVID-19. The NEP, which will increase workplace inspections, is a separate effort from possible regulatory activity, such as an Emergency Temporary Standard to address workplace exposures to the virus that causes COVID-19. Here is what we know so far in this IPC blog; IPC will update you as this situation evolves. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

IPC Launches Industry Initiative to Provide Guidance on ESG Practices: IPC is in the early stages of a new initiative to develop guidance on an industry-specific approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. The ESG for Electronics Initiative will work to support industry engagement on a range of societal concerns, including circularity, eco-design, and raw materials management. View more information on the initiative here. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

EC Opens Consultation on Sustainable Products Initiative: The European Commission recently opened a public consultation on its Sustainable Products Initiative, and your input is needed. The initiative will revise and expand the Ecodesign Directive and address the presence of harmful chemicals in electronics and ICT equipment, among other products. The consultation runs through June 9. IPC’s advocacy team is interested in hearing from you about this initiative. IPC Contact: Alison James.

IPC Asia Members Are Attuned to Environmental Regulations: According to a new IPC survey, government regulations on environmental, health, and safety (EHS) issues, especially those involving toxic substances and originating from the United States and Europe, are a principal concern for IPC’s Asia members. If you are an industry expert and would like to participate in future educational events on environmental regulatory topics, or if you have EHS-related questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. View the highlights of the survey in a new IPC blog here. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Taiwan Seeks to Regulate Two Chemicals Used in Electronics: Ammonium nitrate and hydrogen fluoride, two chemicals used in the electronics and semiconductor industry, will be regulated as “concerned chemicals” under a March 29 proposal from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Comments on the proposal are open until May 28. We will keep you updated on any changes to the proposal; please let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

China Proposes Updates to Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances: On March 17, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) proposed adding an additional 204 chemical substances to the Inventory of Existing Chemicals Substances (IECSC). As a reminder, if the substance is not listed in the IECSC, your business must complete new substance registration before manufacturing or importing said chemicals. Chemicals that are not included in the IECSC are considered new chemicals and are managed under MEE Order 12, which took effect on January 1. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

White House Hosts Meeting on Supply Chain Concerns: U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration met this week with chipmakers and automakers to discuss the global chip shortage and other supply chain concerns. Biden has initially proposed $50 billion to support chip manufacturing and research as part of a $2 trillion infrastructure package. In comments submitted last week to the U.S. Department of Commerce, IPC and the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) affirmed that the U.S. Government must increase its support of semiconductor manufacturing but also the entire electronics ecosystem to maintain its global competitiveness. We urge the administration to take a holistic approach, not just focusing on a few links in the supply chain. Read this new IPC blog for more information on the ongoing supply chain discussions, and let us know if you have any questions or comments. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

IPC’s Latest Economic Trends Report: “The U.S. recovery will accelerate and further diverge from Europe, which will likely see flat to negative growth in the first quarter.” That’s the word from IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac, who provides insight into the economic recovery in the U.S., Europe, and China in IPC’s latest Economic Outlook Report. Please let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Shawn DuBravac.

European Commission to Unveil Strengthened Reporting Requirements: The European Commission is expected to present its proposal next week for a revised Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), which will expand the scope to cover more companies and will introduce stricter and “forward-looking” reporting standards. Specific mandatory sustainability reporting standards are expected to be introduced by October 2022. The commission is also expected to expand corporate due diligence requirements this year as well; read an IPC blog on Europe’s due diligence push here. IPC Contact: Alison James.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Critical Environmental Requirements for Electronics Conference: Virtual, June 29. Join the world’s leading environmental regulatory experts at IPC and ITI’s upcoming conference on critical environmental requirements for electronics. Stay updated on the latest environmental requirements, like Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and more, that could impact your product’s design, manufacturing, supply chain management, and technology innovation. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US

Meet the IPC GR Team: Whether it’s engaging with policymakers in Washington, D.C., in the European Union or in China, the IPC Government Relations (GR) Team proactively seeks opportunities to educate, inform and influence policymakers on policies that spur innovation, growth and competition, while protecting human health and the environment. But our success depends on your support and engagement. Learn more and get involved in IPC advocacy today! IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

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