Dear IPC Members:

Amid the recent unrest in Washington D.C., we at IPC are firm in our belief that our members need a stable, predictable government policy framework to invest and grow. IPC condemns the violence and intimidation that occurred last week, and we look forward to working with President-elect Joe Biden and the U.S. Congress in addressing the long-term economic and social needs of America and the world.

Meanwhile, environmental policy continues to be a hot topic across the globe, and there are a bevy of opportunities to make your voice heard this month. See TOP OF THE WEEK and ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH & SAFETY below, and contact IPC EHS Policy and Research Director Kelly Scanlon with any questions.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.

All the best,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

President-elect Biden Releases COVID-19 Relief Package: On January 14, President-elect Joe Biden announced a $1.9 trillion stimulus package designed to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The plan is the first step of Biden’s two-part pandemic relief and recovery plan. Another next major initiative, expected in February, will address longer-term goals, including creating jobs, reforming infrastructure, combating climate change, and advancing racial equality. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

Latest Round of PPP Reopens for New Applications: The U.S. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) reopened this week for new applications. The latest round of PPP has allotted up to $284 billion for loans to businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through March 31. What does this mean for your business? Read this IPC blog for more details. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

If Your Company Makes or Import Chemicals, We Need Your Input: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed "Fees Rule" under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) could have financial impacts on your company. Comments are due by February 25, but we request your initial feedback by January 26. IPC has been advocating for commonsense reforms to the 2018 rule, and we are pleased that the new proposed rule appears to make important and positive changes. Check out an updated IPC blog for all you need to know about the Fees Rules, and let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Help IPC Review EU RoHS Directive: IPC is currently watching and engaging in the European Commission’s review of its Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive in electrical and electronic equipment, and we need your help. IPC welcomes electronics experts who are familiar with RoHS issues to lend their expertise to the exemption renewal process. Please contact Kelly Scanlon if you would like to join one of several working groups addressing Annex III exemptions. Read more about IPC’s review of the EU’s RoHS Directive here.

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

The First 100 Days of the Biden Administration: “Joe Biden is entering the White House with an expansive agenda that includes taming the coronavirus, reshaping the economic recovery, overhauling climate policy and rethinking the power of tech companies,” Politico reports. Read their complete analysis here, and see this IPC blog on what Biden’s plans could mean for the electronics manufacturing industry. IPC is working towards scheduling meetings ASAP with incoming administration officials to discuss the critical needs of the U.S. electronics manufacturing industry. Please let us know if you have any input on IPC’s message, and stay tuned for a slew of new proposals and advocacy opportunities in the weeks ahead. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

IPC Advocacy Team Notched Significant Gains in 2020: Amid unprecedented challenges, the IPC Global Government Relations team expanded its advocacy efforts in 2020, helping further the competitive excellence and financial success of our members. Check out some of our major wins from 2020 in a new IPC blog here. Remember, the IPC GR team are your eyes, ears, and voice in the halls of government, but we rely on you to tell us what your concerns are so we can be your champions. Learn how to get involved by visiting our IPC Advocacy page. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The future of the electronics manufacturing industry depends on all of us working together to tackle big challenges that will overwhelm us if we are divided. Congress has certified Joe Biden as the next president of the United States, and now it’s time for the U.S. government to get on with the nation’s business.”
– IPC President and CEO John Mitchell (Via LinkedIn)

DFEENSE AND SECURITY

DoD Releases Reports on Industrial Base Capabilities: The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently released its annual industrial capabilities report to the U.S. Congress, reflecting the DoD’s ongoing concern about the challenges facing the U.S. industrial base. The report recommended “continued and accelerated national focus over the coming decade” to preserve American leadership, while also noting that that foreign dependency and diminishing manufacturing sources and materials shortages continue to be the primary risks to the electronics industry. Let us know if you have any questions about the report. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

New Cybersecurity Standards Cause Concerns for Electronics Industry: The U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) new cybersecurity standards for defense contractors are creating significant costs and uncertainties for electronics manufacturers. Of concern is the DoD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, which will require cybersecurity certification for all contractors doing business with the DoD. Read a new IPC blog on this issue here. IPC will continue to advocate for the industry’s interests in the CMMC program and will help with industry compliance efforts, including providing new educational resources and webinars slated for later this quarter. Click here to access an IPC webinar featuring cybersecurity expert Leslie Weinstein, and contact us if you have questions or suggestions. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY

U.S. EPA Moving Toward Risk Management Deliberations on Toxic Chemicals: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is wading further into regulatory actions under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), with major ramifications for electronics manufacturers. Now is the time for our industry to get organized and prepare to advocate our views on how the EPA should address any unreasonable risks to human health and the environment. Check out an updated IPC blog for the latest information. If you have insight that is relevant to these proceedings, we need to hear from you. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Two Weeks Left on U.S. Chemical Data Reporting: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) period runs through January 29. The CDR rule requires manufacturers and importers of certain chemical substances listed under the Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical Substance Inventory to report data to the EPA every four years. There are several new reporting requirements you should be aware of. Let us know if you have any questions or comments as your company goes through the process. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Does Your Company Produce, Import, or Supply Products to the EU? We are one week into the new Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP) database requirements and we welcome your feedback on its usability. As a reminder, this obligation applies to all companies placing articles containing substances of very high concern (SVHCs) on the European Union market. Do you have the resources to meet the requirements? Check out this IPC SCIP Database resource page for more information, and let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

ECHA Calls for Evidence on Chemical Common to Plastics and Resins: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has requested comments and evidence regarding a possible restriction on Bisphenol A (BPA) and structurally related bisphenols of similar concern for the environment. The deadline for providing input is February 15, 2021. Is BPA essential to your electronics-related processes? Do you have any data or information to submit to ECHA? Please us know. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

China Updates Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances: On December 21, China’s Ministry of Environment and Ecology (MEE) added an additional 238 chemical substances to the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC), bringing the list to over 46,000 chemical substances. 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.

EUROPEAN UNION

Germany Proposes Digital Register to Address Due Diligence Concerns: German policymakers have proposed implementing a digital register of certified suppliers, which would list companies that supply European Union industries and have a certified due diligence system in place, amid multiple corporate due diligence proposals currently being debated across the European Union. IPC is actively engaging with policymakers to ensure that any upcoming due diligence legislation is feasible for the electronics industry and minimizes the administrative burden for our member companies, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises. For further information, see this new IPC blog here, and let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Alison James. 

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

U.S. Tags Vietnam as Currency Manipulator but Delays Penalties: A new U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) report concludes that Vietnam is a currency manipulator and that its monetary policy has harmed U.S. businesses. However, the USTR chose not to take any steps towards imposing tariffs or other measures to remedy these issues, which means the incoming Biden Administration will be able to craft their own response. Read more in this IPC Blog.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Regulating Chemicals After the UK Transition Period: Virtual event, January 20. This webinar, offered by the United Kingdom’s Health and Safety Executive and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will address the steps businesses in the chemicals sector need to take to keep their business moving forward following the Brexit transition period. Read more and register here. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

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