Dear IPC Members:
I hope this finds you safe and healthy.
Our IPC colleagues in Europe are in the midst of a busy policy making season. Want to learn more about the European Union's political priorities for the upcoming year, including addressing the security of the electronics manufacturing supply chain? See EUROPEAN UNION below and let us know what you think.
Meanwhile, in Washington D.C., everyone is talking about: a) who is going to win the election; and b) will the White House and U.S. Congress reach an agreement on another COVID-19 recovery bill in time for it to make a difference? What do you think should be in any new stimulus bill? See TOP OF THE WEEK below.
To assist our members who do business in Asia, we’ve produced white papers on the environmental, health and safety policies in each of nine countries. This week, we’ve added new papers on the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
As always, please let us know if we can help you achieve any of your goals. Help us finish the year strong and plan for 2021 by taking our five-question survey.
All the best and stay safe,
Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations
TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK
Building a Trusted ICT Supply Chain: A new report by a congressionally chartered expert panel proposes a comprehensive strategy to ensure the continued availability and trustworthiness of critical ICT technologies. On October 19, the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission offered a five-pillar strategy and 13 recommendations, with an emphasis on public-private and international partnerships. Please give the white paper a read and let us know what you think. IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.
SCIP Implementation to Officially Begin Next Week: Despite urging from IPC and others, the process for submitting information into the Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP) database will formally begin October 28 as originally planned. Under the current timeline, the database is set to come into effect on January 5, 2021, just 10 weeks after it is unveiled for the first time. Be sure to tune into an upcoming webinar, sponsored by the European Chemicals Agency, if you have any questions about the notification process. IPC Contact: Alison James.
Potential Stimulus Deal Nears Crucial Deadline: Time is running out to reach a deal on a new stimulus package before the November 3 elections. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reported progress this week, saying that conversations with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin had yielded “common ground as we move closer to an agreement.” However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has cautioned the White House about reaching a pre-election deal, according to reporting from The New York Times. The main sticking points remain aid for state and local governments, business liability protections, and the extension of federal unemployment benefits. IPC has called for a recovery package with pro-manufacturing provisions, and we will keep you updated as negotiations continue. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.
IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU
Join IPC’s Pledge to Stay Involved After the Election: The IPC Government Relations team is composed of experienced professionals working for you year-round. But our success depends on awareness and participation from IPC members like you. Please click here to pledge to stay involved in IPC advocacy after the election. Then, plan to join IPC on November 4 for a post-election analysis and discussion. Our friends Charlie Black and Scott Pastrick of Prime Policy Group – experienced insiders from both sides of the aisle – will share their insights on which issues and leaders are likely to come to the fore in 2021. Register now! IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.
IPC PAC: Please Submit Your Prior Authorization Form: The IPC Political Action Committee (IPC PAC) serves as the collective voice of the industry in U.S. federal elections. The IPC PAC pools our campaign contributions and supports pro-manufacturing federal candidates in both major parties. IPC invites you to learn more by visiting the IPC PAC website and filling out a prior authorization form. This form does not obligate you or your employees to support the IPC PAC; it simply authorizes us to send you information. Please note that a company can only authorize one association PAC per year; and the form must be signed by someone with the authority to do so, generally the CEO or another C-level executive. IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.
DFEENSE AND SECURITY
U.S. Defense Bills Would Bring Greater Resiliency and Security to Electronics Supply Chains: We are still working with key members of Congress on the U.S. House and Senate versions of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which include bipartisan provisions to require printed circuit boards and PCB assemblies used in defense systems to be acquired from trusted sources. Recently, several groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Aerospace Industries Association, told Congress the measures would be overly restrictive and drive up costs. IPC responded to the opponents in this blog. High-level talks over the language are continuing, and a resolution is expected shortly after the U.S. election. Stay tuned and let us know if you have an interest in this issue. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY
U.S. EPA Moving Toward Key Deliberations on Toxic Chemicals: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approaching a critical phase of deliberations under the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the next steps in the process will have major ramifications for electronics manufacturers. Currently, the EPA is nearing the completion of 10 risk evaluations, and is just beginning evaluations of an additional 20 high-priority chemical substances. The EPA is seeking input from IPC and our members, and our expertise will be critical in forging smart solutions that protect human health and the environment and enable our industry to thrive. If you have information that is relevant to these proceedings, we need to hear from you. Check out the latest IPC blog for more information. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
EPA to Review Risks of D4 Under TSCA: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted a chemical manufacturer’s request to conduct a risk evaluation of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), which may be used in the manufacturing of computer and electronic products, under the Toxic Substances Control Act. D4 joins two phthalates, di-isodecyl phthalate and diisononyl phthalate, as the third manufacturer-requested risk evaluation. If you have information about its use and its criticality to the manufacturing process, please let us know. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
European Commission Adopts Chemicals Strategy: On October 14, the European Commission formally adopted the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability, an action plan for 2021-2024 with 70 measures to minimize usage of substances of concern. According to Cristina de Avila, head of the sustainable chemicals unit of the commission's environment directorate-general, the implementation of the strategy is “likely” to require changes in the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) directive. Meanwhile, the commission, which highlighted electronics and ICT as “priority sectors” for chemicals regulation, is also planning to introduce information requirements as part of the Sustainable Product Policy Initiative. The chemicals strategy also calls for the phasing out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and consideration of bringing polymers under the REACH requirements. IPC will continue to engage in the policy deliberations, and we invite member input. IPC Contact: Alison James.
EC Launches Consultation on Sustainable Products Initiative: On September 14, the European Commission opened a consultation on its Sustainable Products Policy Initiative, which “will establish minimum sustainability and information requirements for products sold in the European Union,” according to reporting from the National Law Review. Notably, the initiative, which will also revise the Ecodesign Directive, plans to address the presence of harmful chemicals in electronics and ICT equipment, among other products. The commission is expected to present a legislative proposal by Q4 of 2021. The feedback period will close on November 2. IPC Contact: Alison James.
Interested in Chemical and Product Regulations in Asia? To help our members, IPC has created nine white papers, each of which highlights the history of chemical regulations, current regulatory systems, recent regulatory updates, and anticipated trends in the Asia-Pacific region. This week, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia are the latest countries to undergo a deep dive by our environmental, health, and safety (EHS) experts. Please check out this recent IPC blog for more information on the broader Asia-Pacific EHS policy landscape; let us know what you think! IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
EUROPEAN UNION
Parliament Committee Outlines Priorities for New EU Industrial Strategy: On October 16, members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry Research and Energy advocated for a new industrial strategy with “two distinct phases, one focusing on recovery and the other on reconstruction and resilience.” The revised strategy, set to take into account the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, must help the European Union accelerate the twin green and digital transitions, while also addressing the need for diversification and shortening of supply chains to build resilience, said MEPs. The non-binding industrial policy report will be voted upon during the upcoming November plenary session. IPC Contact: Alison James.
Commission Publishes Working Plan for 2021: The electronics industry will want to keep an eye on Q4 of 2021, when – according to the European Commission’s 2021 work plan, presented October 19 – the list of action items will include the Sustainable Products Policy Initiative, a revision of the Ecodesign Directive, and a non-legislative initiative on circular electronics. Meanwhile, in Q2 of 2021, the commission plans to update the new European industrial strategy and adopt legislative initiatives on both sustainable corporate governance and a carbon border adjustment mechanism. Please let us know if you have any questions about these upcoming initiatives and if they will affect your business. IPC Contact: Alison James.
“Policy Going Forward Will be Viewed Through the Lens of Recovery”: Interested in what’s happening in IPC Europe? The IPC Blog staff recently chatted with Alison James, IPC’s senior director for Europe, about the bloc’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as other issues facing our industry, from the “Green Deal” to chemicals regulation to supply chain resiliency. Read the full blog post here, and reach out to Alison if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Alison James.
French Recovery Plan Includes Electronics Manufacturing Among Strategic Industries: On September 3, France unveiled a €100 billion ($118 billion) recovery plan aiming to fuel investments in the reshoring and strengthening of key industrial sectors, including electronics manufacturing. To help accomplish this, on August 31, France announced a call for specific investment proposals. Projects aimed at strengthening the capacity of electronic manufacturing companies to respond to crisis situations will be given priority. Companies can submit applications until November 17. Read a recent IPC blog for more information, and let us know your thoughts. IPC Contact: Alison James.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The 2020 U.S. Election Outcome — What Does It Mean for Your Business? Virtual, November 4. Join IPC on Wednesday, November 4, the day after Election Day, for a post-election analysis and discussion with our friends Charlie Black and Scott Pastrick of Prime Policy Group. Register now! IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.
IPC IMPACT Europe: Virtual, By Invitation, Members-Only Event, November 18-19. IPC IMPACT Europe is our opportunity to connect with EU policy makers, learn about current policy priorities, and discuss how these changes may impact our industry. IPC Contact: Alison James.
Get Ready to Submit Your SCIP Notification: Webinar, November 20. This webinar, sponsored by the European Chemicals Agency, will help you prepare and submit a Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP) notification. You will get a demo of how to create and submit a notification and learn the tools that can be used to refer to information already submitted to the SCIP database.
IPC APEX EXPO Moved to March: With safety in mind and facing new considerations around conferences and travel, IPC decided to move IPC APEX EXPO 2021 to March 6-11. Just as your companies are innovating to overcome the challenges of this pandemic, we are adapting as well. Mark your calendars and watch for more details coming soon.
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.
|
