Dear IPC Members:

As you already know, electronics manufacturing contributes powerfully to the U.S. economy, but more work needs to be done to drive growth and resilience in our industry.

Here in Washington, we are encouraged by recent policy discussions that indicate a bipartisan commitment to U.S. manufacturing that is long overdue. But there is still more work to be done to bolster the entire electronics ecosystem. See TOP OF THE WEEK below for the latest.

Meanwhile, there are a host of EHS action items from across the globe in which your input would help inform policy makers. See ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND SAFETY and UPCOMING EVENTS below for the latest opportunities.

All the best,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

Bipartisan Tech Bill to Create Manufacturing Head in White House: A key IPC priority is included in a bipartisan bill to bolster U.S. global leadership and competitiveness. The Endless Frontier Act, which would boost investment in key technologies, would also create a White House office of manufacturing and industrial innovation policy. This effort is consistent with IPC’s call for an interagency manufacturing policy lead, highlighted in our policy agenda sent to the Biden administration. However, the bill doesn’t specify electronics as an area for more investment, and we’re working to fix that. Read more about the bill here. We will keep you updated as the bill progresses. IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.
 
Help Shape IPC’s EHS Advocacy Activities in 2021: Did you know that IPC members have several opportunities to participate in policy debates about environment, health, and safety (EHS) issues? For example, IPC’s environmental policy priorities for 2021 were determined with input from our Environment & Health Strategic Management Team (ENV SMT) and IPC’s North American and European Government Relations (GR) Committees. IPC appreciates the time taken by volunteers to get engaged with IPC’s GR activities. Check out a new article in SMT007 by Kelly Scanlon, IPC director of EHS policy and research, for more ways to get involved in IPC’s EHS advocacy. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“[Federal funding] would help America build the additional capacity necessary to have more resilient supply chains to ensure critical technologies will be there when we need them.”
– New chipmaker coalition advocates for supply chain security and resiliency in letter to U.S. congressional leaders.

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Share Your Input on Additions to EPA’s Priority Testing List: An advisory committee to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recommended adding 15 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) high-priority substances and 24 organohalogen flame retardants to the agency’s Priority Testing List (PTL). Several of the high-priority substances, such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), are used in electronics. The deadline for submitting comments on these revisions is May 28. Your responses will help the EPA determine whether these substances present unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

OSHA Emergency Standard on COVID-19 Expected Soon: On April 26, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sent its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for COVID-19 to the White House Office of Management and Budget for final review. The ETS, which will address workplace exposures to COVID-19, is a separate effort from other OSHA regulatory activity, such as its new COVID-19 National Emphasis Program (NEP). The timing for the review is unclear, but if and when the ETS is released, it is expected to take effect immediately. Read more about the ETS in an IPC blog here. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EC Aspires for Zero Pollution by 2050: On May 12, the European Commission released a comprehensive action plan aimed at reaching “zero pollution for air, water, and soil” by 2050. The plan integrated goals of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, along with other European Green Deal initiatives, and emphasized using digital tools to prevent pollution. The plan notably focused on strengthening enforcement efforts to ensure compliance and set 2030 targets to speed up pollution reduction. Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

ECHA Recommends Seven New Substances for REACH Authorization: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has recommended that seven substances of very high concern (SVHC) be added to the REACH Authorization List, with six of the substances relevant to electronics. As a reminder, companies will need to apply for authorization to continue using these chemicals. IPC will continue to monitor this activity; please let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EC Asks for Feedback on Revisions to Chemical Regulations: The European Commission is asking for feedback on proposed revisions to two chemicals regulations: the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) law and the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulation. The REACH revision is particularly relevant to electronics as it proposes simplifying supply chain communications and reforming processes for the authorization and restriction of chemicals. Feedback is due by June 1; let us know if you have any questions or input. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

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.
 
Japan to Ban PFOA and its Salts: Japan has formally banned the production, import, and use of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts, which could affect products used in semiconductor manufacturing. Prior permission for essential uses of these chemical substances is required, while all other uses are prohibited. The ban will take effect on October 22. You can find which PFOA-containing products are banned from import here. Please let us know if this move affects your business. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Interested in Chemical and Product Regulations in South Korea? South Korea is the latest country to undergo an updated deep dive by our environmental, health, and safety (EHS) experts in 2021. Notably, an amendment of the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH) was recently adopted, tightening the supervision of downstream users and sellers of chemical substances. This is just one of our nine white papers on the history of chemical regulations, current regulatory systems, and anticipated trends in the Asia-Pacific region. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

IPC’s Latest Economic Trends Report: “The global economic recovery is picking up speed... consumer and business confidence is roaring back as vaccination rates increase, and consumers appear anxious to spend.” IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac shares the latest U.S. and European data on economic growth, employment, Manufacturer’s Sentiment (PMI), manufacturing capacity utilization, and end markets for electronics in IPC’s April Economic Outlook Report. Please let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Shawn DuBravac.

Semiconductor Coalition to Address Global Chip Shortage: A group of chipmakers formed a coalition this week advocating for increased funding to address the global semiconductor shortage. The Semiconductors in America Coalition is calling on the U.S. Congress to provide $50 billion for semiconductor research and manufacturing, which “would help America build the capacity necessary to have more resilient supply chains to ensure critical technologies will be there when we need them.” IPC continues to affirm that investments in semiconductor manufacturing also require investments in other segments of the industry. Let us know how the chip shortage is affecting your business. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

UPCOMING EVENTS

What are the Best Practices for Eco-design? Virtual, May 25. Join the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) for an upcoming webinar series on eco-design for a circular electronics economy. The series will be your opportunity to learn from eco-design leaders about innovative practices used today while providing a venue to share your expertise and to learn from others. Registration information will be announced next week. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

China's MEE Order 12: An Update for the Electronics Industry: Virtual, May 26. Register for this upcoming Chemical Watch webinar to hear from experts from IPC and Mayer Brown on the latest updates to China’s revised MEE Order 12 regulation, its legal implications, and potential impacts on the electronics industry. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Supply Chain Disruption, Economic Recovery, and What to Expect in the Post-Pandemic World: Virtual, June 8. COVID-19 disrupted nearly every facet of our lives, ushering in a severe recession and exerting tremendous pressure on supply chains. Discover how supply chains have been impacted and what lies ahead in the recovery as IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac shares the latest economic data, risks, and possible scenarios for 2021 and beyond. IPC Contact: Shawn DuBravac.

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.

Subscribe to IPC Global Advocacy Report: If you’re a member of IPC, manage your e-mail preferences and opt in to receive “Advocacy” updates. If you are not an IPC member – or you’re not sure – please send a note to friends@ipc.org, and our staff will add you to the list.

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Contact one of us if you have any questions or insights to contribute.

Tell us how government policies affect your business.

See prior editions of Global Advocacy Report.

Explore our IPC Government Relations information online.