Dear IPC Members:

As we continue to see rising coronavirus cases across the globe, I hope you and yours are staying safe and healthy. Remember to visit IPC’s COVID-19 Update web page for the latest on how the pandemic is affecting the electronics industry and how to keep your business and workforce protected.

Here in the United States, we are just a few days away from the November 3 elections, and IPC will be watching the results with interest. Be sure to tune into our November 4 webinar for a post-election debrief on what the results mean for our industry.

In Europe, this week brought us the official launch of the Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP) database. IPC’s advocacy on this front will continue, but in the meantime, please let us know if you work with substances of very high concern and have any questions about the notification process. See TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK below.

We truly appreciate everyone’s assistance with advocacy efforts this year, and we ask you to pledge to continue your engagement in 2021. Let us know how we can best help you.

All the best and stay safe,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

European Commission Rules Out Delay of SCIP Implementation: Despite urgings from IPC and others, on October 28, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) formally launched the Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP) database, while the European Commission rejected the possibility of an ex-post impact assessment. Under the current timeline, the database is set to come into effect on January 5, 2021, just 10 weeks after it was unveiled for the first time. However, industry advocacy will continue, and IPC recently signed a cross-industry letter to the German Presidency of the European Union and heads of the European Council and European Parliament, reiterating the need for a more workable solution. Be sure to tune into the ECHA’s November 19 webinar if you have any questions about the notification process, and let us know if we can help you. IPC Contact: Alison James.

Which Government Policy Issues Are You Riled Up About? IPC has been conducting an ongoing member survey about the government policy issues that concern you most and how they impact your company. We received a host of new responses amid Election 2020, and here are the updated survey results. When asking our members to identify their top areas of concern, a majority mentioned trade and tariffs (54 percent). A second tier of top issues are education and workforce skills (33 percent); incentives for research, development, and investment (33 percent); environmental regulations (31 percent); taxes (28 percent); and intellectual property protection (28 percent). Which government policy issues matter the most to you? Simply click here to take our five-question, five-minute survey.

U.S. Stimulus Legislation Postponed Until After Election: The stalemate on a new stimulus package continues, meaning no agreement will be reached until after the November 3 election. The main sticking points remain aid for state and local governments, business liability protections, and the extension of federal unemployment benefits. Amid rising coronavirus cases across the country and an increasingly unsettled economic outlook, IPC urges negotiators to reach an agreement soon and has called for a recovery package with pro-manufacturing provisions. 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 the IPC Government Relations team on November 4 for a post-election 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 (PCB) 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.

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE

Inside the Semi-Virtual Year for IPC Student Chapter Members: Most of our IPC student chapter members are back on campus for a semi-virtual collegiate experience that significantly affects their courses and extracurriculars. While some of the core benefits of the IPC Student Chapter Program can be delivered virtually through online technical education courses and other online methods, much of IPC’s technologies are hands-on. The IPC Education Foundation is doing all that it can to bring valuable virtual opportunities to learners. Check out this column by Aaron Birney, the IPC education program manager, on the impacts the coronavirus pandemic has had on the academic landscape. IPC Contact: Charlene Gunter.

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 a recent 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, Draws Praise from EU Countries: On October 14, the European Commission formally adopted the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, an action plan for 2021-2024 with 70 measures to minimize usage of substances of concern. The chemicals strategy drew praise from Sweden’s environment minister Isabella Lövin, who, speaking on behalf of a group of 10 European countries, expressed support for the strategy and comprehensive actions to “address the use of and contamination with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.” Meanwhile, 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. Let us know what you think of the new chemicals strategy. IPC Contact: Alison James.

Industry Input Due on European Commission’s Sustainable Products Initiative: The European Commission is seeking industry input 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 Q1 of 2021. The feedback period has been extended until November 16. 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. 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 links to papers on China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, and let us know if you have any questions or concerns. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EUROPEAN UNION

Commission Launches Consultation on Sustainable Corporate Governance: On October 26, the European Commission launched a public consultation on its upcoming sustainable corporate governance legislative initiative. The initiative, expected in Q2 of 2021, is set to introduce binding supply chain due diligence requirements and will seek to reorient businesses to focus on long-term sustainable value creation rather than short-term benefits. The consultation will be open to stakeholder input until February 8, 2021. Please let us know if you have any questions about this upcoming initiative and if it 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.
 
France Seeks Proposals for Investments in Electronics Manufacturing: 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.

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

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.

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.

RoHS, REACH, POP and WEEE Considerations When Complying with ISO 14001: Webinar, November 9. EHS Policy and Research Director Kelly Scanlon will moderate this free Chemical Watch webinar on what you need to know about how the ISO 14001 standard can help you comply with electronic environmental requirements. Regulations such as RoHS, REACH, and those for POPs and WEEE will be explored in relation to the ISO standard along with ecodesign considerations. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Chemicals Management for Electronics USA 2020: Virtual, November 12-13. EHS Policy and Research Director Kelly Scanlon will present “TSCA Fees Rule and Risk Evaluations Updates from EPA Policy Makers and TSCA Reauthorization Implementation Status” on November 12. Additional IPC staff including Matt Kelly and Patrick Crawford will also present. IPC members receive 15% registration discount: IPC15. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

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.

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