IPC Global Advocacy Report
8/14/2020

Dear IPC Members:

From all of us here at IPC, we hope you are continuing to stay safe and healthy.

Here in Washington D.C., we are in the “dog days” of summer, and lethargy seems to have overtaken the halls of Congress. Negotiations on the next coronavirus recovery package continue to be stalled, and we don’t see a compromise emerging until September. In the meantime, we’ll continue to advocate for legislation with pro-industrial-base provisions. You can help us advocate on this issue by visiting our Advocacy Page.

Although the global environment, health & safety (EHS) front is a bit quieter this week, this gives you an opportunity to share your input with IPC on what potential per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulations would mean for our industry. We want to hear from you!

Also, take a minute to browse our new-and-improved EHS section of IPC.org, with an updated layout and fresh content.
 
You may also want to read this article by David Lynch, the Washington Post’s global economics correspondent, describing how IPC member Flex International has coped with global supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 and trade wars, and given us a glimpse of the future of electronics manufacturing.

As COVID-19 concerns remain, IPC’s coronavirus page will continue to serve as your top resource for the latest information on worker safety and support, IPC virtual events, and IPC advocacy efforts.

All the best and stay safe,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations


TOP OF THE WEEK

“Trump’s COVID-19 Actions Are a Mixed Bag”: President Donald Trump last weekend signed an Executive Order and three memoranda aimed at extending relief to Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We think the executive actions stretch the bounds of constitutionality, and the size and speed of the aid will be insufficient, keeping pressure on the President and Congress to strike a bigger deal after the upcoming political party conventions. Check out IPC’s recent letter to the top four leaders in Congress, calling for a recovery bill with pro-industrial-base provisions. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell

Join the IPC “A Team”: If you haven't done so recently, please visit the IPC Advocacy Team web page and see how easy it is to take action with just a few clicks. Let us and your elected officials know what you think about the major issues of the day.  


DEFENSE

ICYMI: House and Senate Pass Pro-Electronics Measures in Defense Bills: The U.S. House and Senate recently passed separate versions of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with both bills including provisions of significant interest to our industry:

  • New requirements for bare and assembled PCBs and PCBAs used in sensitive defense systems to be purchased from trusted U.S. or allied sources;
  • An IPC-backed measure requiring the Defense Department to analyze certain materials and technology sectors – including PCBs and other electronics components – for possible action to address sourcing and industrial capacity risks; and
  • Funding and tax credits to strengthen domestic semiconductor production.

House and Senate Armed Services Committee leaders are now in negotiations to iron out differences between the two bills.

Meanwhile, a spending bill recently cleared by the U.S. House includes funding for lead-free electronics research and development that IPC has sought. The Senate has yet to act on its version of the spending bill.

IPC will continue to advocate for measures to shore up supply chains for electronics related to essential governmental functions including defense. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

 

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE

IPC Launches New Online Workforce Training Options: Do you have difficulties finding skilled production workers? Two-thirds of electronics industry companies do, according to a recent IPC study. To remedy this problem, IPC has launched all-new IPC Electronics Workforce Training courses to help our members and their employees. Check out the news release for more information, and to view the expanded course catalog, visit https://training.ipc.org.  

 

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Does Your Company Use PFAS to Make Electronics? Regulators in the United States and the European Union are eyeing chemicals in the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) class. In July, IPC completed a screening study to gain a better understanding of the evolving policies shaping the production and use of PFAS. IPC needs you to review the preliminary findings from our screening study to confirm whether we accurately captured the uses of PFAS in electronics products and processes. Please send your feedback to Kelly Scanlon by August 28. For more information, check out IPC’s new blog on PFAS regulation. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Evolving Policies Reframe Discussion on Flame Retardants in Electronics: On July 24, IPC partnered with Chemical Watch to discuss the latest scientific and policy developments around flame retardants used in the electronics industry from a European and North American perspective. Topics covered included:

  • Emerging legislation and policies regarding flame retardants, including the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan;
  • Industry standards that shape definitions of flame retardants;
  • Industry data and information needed for better decision-making; and
  • New innovations and technologies that could affect the need for flame retardants in electronics.

For more information, check out this IPC blog item. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

How to Properly Disinfect Electronic Equipment Amid COVID-19: The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) recently published a guide on how to mitigate the risk when disinfecting electronic equipment and assemblies. “Many commonly recommended disinfection substances and/or application methods could potentially cause failures in electronic equipment if the internal electronics were inadvertently exposed to them,” said iNEMI CEO Marc Benowitz. The next time you disinfect your workplace, we want you to do it safely! For more information, check out IPC’s recent blog here. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
 
U.S. Chemical Data Reporting – Still Open! The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) submission period remains open through November 30. The CDR rule requires manufacturers and importers of certain chemical substances listed under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory to report data to the EPA every four years. There are several new reporting requirements you should be aware of, including changes related to byproducts, exemptions; and an improved process for reporting co-manufacturing. Let us know if you have any questions as your company goes through the reporting process. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Interested in Chemical and Product Regulations in Asia? Please check out these new white papers from IPC on evolving chemicals regulations in China, Japan, and South Korea. These papers provide a detailed look at the history of the policies, recent regulatory updates, and the regulatory trends in the respective countries. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
 
New Additions to South Korea’s Toxic Chemical Substance List: On July 17, 31 new chemical substances were added to South Korea’s Toxic Chemical Substances List following a May consultation by the National Institute of Environmental Research. As a reminder, all new chemical substances must be registered prior to manufacture or import under K-REACH regulations. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Japan Adds 226 Chemicals to Chemical Safety Law: On July 31, 226 new chemical substances were added to Japan’s Chemical Substance Control Law (CSCL), which aims to prevent environmental pollution caused by chemical substances that pose a risk to human health and the environment. Under the CSCL, the new chemicals will be managed as existing chemical substances, which requires manufacturers or importers to report their quantity and uses annually if the volume exceeds a certain amount. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

 

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

New Hong Kong Marking Requirements: This week, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) clarified that goods manufactured in Hong Kong will now need to bear the origin marking of China. The policy went into effect as of July 29, although businesses have until September 25 to comply. Failure to comply could result in the levy of a duty of 10 percent ad valorem. The decision comes on the heels of President Trump’s July 14 executive order suspending a law that allowed for goods originating from Hong Kong to be stamped as such. Importantly, the President’s executive order will not affect tariff rates on imports from Hong Kong as many feared. For more information, see this Q&A issued by CBP. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

“Recovery Is a Confidence Game”: On August 5, IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac released the inaugural IPC Monthly Economic Report, covering one of the most volatile periods in our economic history, and providing industry intelligence on the economy, industrial production, printed circuit board demand, and more. We hope you find this new product useful; please let us know how you use this research and what else you would like to see from IPC. IPC Contact: Shawn DuBravac.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

COVID-19: Best Practices for Assessing Workplace Risk Webinar: Virtual event, September 9, 2020. This webinar aims to answer some of the most challenging questions employers and employees are facing regarding worker safety and support. IPC will share best practices for assessing workplace risk for COVID-19 and we will provide resources and tools that you can use to help you navigate the current science and policy happenings. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

 

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US

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.

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.