Dear IPC Members:

I hope you and yours are doing well.

Registration for IPC APEX EXPO is live! This year’s virtual conference is just over a month away, and we have a full agenda ready for you. We’ll cover issues like smart manufacturing, Factory of the Future, coping with the pandemic, environmental health and safety, emerging technologies, and much more. Register now if you haven’t already.

Meanwhile, this weekly newsletter is a snapshot of the top government policy issues we’re working on for you all over the world, designed to be skimmed in less than five minutes. Please let us know if you have questions and suggestions.

All the best,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

IPC Supports U.S. House Passage of National Apprenticeship Act: IPC welcomes the U.S. House vote — expected yet today, Feb. 5 — on the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, which would invest nearly $3.5 billion over five years to scale-up apprenticeship opportunities and expand them into new, in-demand industry sectors and occupations. The bill's passage would address one of the most difficult challenges facing the U.S. electronics manufacturing industry — a chronic shortage of adequately skilled workers. We welcome the opportunity to work with policymakers to improve and expand industry-led education and training programs. Read our full statement here. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

Electronics Manufacturing Poised for Jobs to Rise Over Pre-Pandemic Levels: All signs indicate 2021 should be a year of recovery, with January’s U.S. jobs report suggesting the electronics industry is poised to increase its number of jobs over pre-pandemic levels, outpacing the rest of the economy and driving overall growth. IPC urges Congress to come together on both short-term stimulus and long-term, strategic investment plans to ensure a lasting, broad-based recovery. See IPC’s statement here, and check out IPC’s Economic Outlook Report for the latest data and trends in economic growth, employment and end markets for electronics manufacturers. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

New Rules on PBTs Take Effect This Week: Today, February 5, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final risk management rules to reduce exposure to persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals (PBTs) will go into effect. Some of the PBTs listed have a history of use in the electronics industry. If these new rules will affect the electronics products that you manufacture, please let us know, and read this recent IPC blog for more information. 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. Is BPA essential to your electronics-related processes? Do you have any data or information to submit to ECHA? IPC will work with you to ensure your comments and information are provided to ECHA by the deadline of February 15. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“No president can hope to accomplish a complete reimagining of domestic manufacturing in a mere four or eight years. … It takes a steady, consistent approach that doesn’t vacillate wildly between new administrations of different political parties."
– IPC President and CEO John Mitchell’s on revitalizing American manufacturing in his new Morning Consult op-ed.

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

Partisan Politics Is Hurting U.S. Competitiveness: “The U.S. has no coherent, long-term strategies to spur investment in key industries.” IPC President and CEO John Mitchell warns that the United States is losing its global competitiveness amid partisan warfare, in a new op-ed in Industry Week.

IPC APEX EXPO 2021 Offers Over 100 Future-focused Educational Opportunities: Changing technologies, advanced materials, and new processes that are driving the electronics manufacturing industry will take center stage throughout the IPC APEX EXPO 2021 technical conference and professional development sessions, which will take place virtually March 8-12. Remember to register by this Friday, February 5, for 20% off; more information about the conference is available at www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

DoD Establishes Defense Electronics Consortium: The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently awarded $3.9 million to the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) to establish and manage a new Defense Electronics Consortium (DEC). USPAE is an independent subsidiary of IPC focused on meeting the needs of U.S. defense- and security-oriented customers, and the DEC is a vehicle through which industry and academia will work with DoD to solve the government’s electronics-related challenges. The DEC’s first project will be an effort to accelerate the adoption of lead-free electronics in defense systems, a move IPC has long called for. Learn more and explore the opportunities at www.USPAE.org, and follow them on LinkedIn.

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Heads Up — Potential OSHA Emergency Standard on COVID-19: U.S. President Joe Biden on January 21 issued an Executive Order that aims to improve worker health and safety protections during the coronavirus pandemic. It is too early to know what specifics will flow from this action, but new regulatory requirements could arrive as soon as March 15. Here is what we know so far in this IPC blog; IPC will update you as this situation evolves. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

U.S. EPA Evaluating Risk for Over 30 Toxic Chemicals: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is wading even deeper into regulatory actions under the Toxic Substances Control Act, with major ramifications for electronics manufacturers who need to focus on this issue. Now is the time for our industry 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.

If Your Company Makes or Import Chemicals, You Could Face New Fees: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed "Fees Rule" under the Toxic Substances Control Act could have financial impacts on your company. Comments are due by February 25. 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.
  
EU Parliament Calls for Binding Targets on Materials Use and Consumption: On January 26, the European Parliament’s environment committee adopted a report on the Circular Economy, which called for binding 2030 targets for materials use and consumption to significantly reduce the European Union’s material and consumption footprints. The report addresses key value chains, including electronics and ICT, and supports a Circular Electronics Initiative that will promote longer product lifetimes. IPC Contact: Alison James.

Help Inform New Workplace Limits on Lead: The European Commission is conducting an industry survey to analyze the health, socioeconomic, and environmental impacts of new occupational exposure limits for lead (Pb) and its compounds. Information collected, such as current exposure levels, risk management measures in place, costs associated with engineering controls, and cost-benefit data, will enable the commission to establish practicable, protective limits. IPC encourages those working with Pb to respond to the survey by the February 26 deadline. 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.

Does Your Company Produce, Import, or Supply Products to the EU? We are more than a month 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 on the European Union market. Check out this IPC SCIP Database resource page for more information, and let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EUROPEAN UNION

EU Parliamentary Panel Calls for Adoption of Due Diligence Legislation: The European Parliament’s legal affairs committee recently adopted a report urging the European Commission to “propose mandatory due diligence requirements on environmental and human rights risks for all companies and sectors established in the bloc,” Euractiv reports. Does your company have a robust due diligence system in place? Check out a recent IPC blog for more details on the due diligence push in Europe, and let us know if you have any questions or ideas. IPC Contact: Alison James.
 
Commission Hosts First Meeting of New Group Advising on Industrial Strategy: On February 1, the European Commission held its first meeting of the Industrial Forum, which will advise the commission on the implementation of the New Industrial Strategy for Europe. The expert group will also contribute to the coordination of coronavirus recovery efforts and “support the commission in its analysis of different industrial ecosystems.” The commission is expected to present its revised industrial strategy in March. Let us know if you have any questions about the strategy or how it will impact your business. IPC Contact: Alison James.  

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

“Trump's Trade War on China was a Failure in Every Possible Way.” "The trade war with China hurt the U.S. economy and failed to achieve major policy goals," noted a recent study commissioned by the U.S.-China Business Council. Indeed, as documented in an IPC study, many IPC members have felt the pain of higher costs, supply chain disruptions, administrative hassles, and reduced access to valuable markets as a result of the trade war. IPC looks forward to the Biden administration taking a more measured approach with China and dialing back tariffs. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

IPC Welcomes “Buy American” Executive Order: On January 25, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the “Buy American” Executive Order (EO) aimed at rebuilding domestic manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. The EO is just one milestone on the road to a more robust U.S. manufacturing future, and IPC encourages the Biden administration to go further in developing an ambitious U.S. manufacturing strategy that builds capabilities domestically and strengthens ties to allies and trading partners. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

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 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.