Dear IPC Members:

I hope you and yours are doing well.

Government policy actions affecting electronics manufacturers kept on coming last week, particularly on environmental, health, and safety issues and especially in Europe and Asia.

All the best,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The lack of respect and cooperation among America’s leaders is opening up a progress gap in which the United States is losing its global competitiveness."
– IPC President and CEO John Mitchell’s warns that the United States is losing its global competitiveness amid partisan warfare, in a new op-ed in Industry Week.

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

Get Engaged with Sustainable Electronics: IPC and iNEMI are calling for IPC member participation in activities to advance sustainable electronics. Learn more from IPC’s Kelly Scanlon and iNEMI’s Mark Schaffer in their recent presentation here.

IPC APEX EXPO 2021 Offers Over 100 Future-focused Educational Opportunities: Changing technologies and government policies that affect the electronics manufacturing industry will take center stage throughout IPC APEX EXPO 2021, our annual conference, which will take place virtually March 8-12. Don’t forget to register; more information about the conference is available at www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

USPAE Launches $42M Defense Electronics Consortium: Senior members of U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) recently discussed the objectives of that group and the newly-funded Defense Electronics Consortium (DEC), which was created to help the U.S. government identify and address potential risks in the electronics supply chain. Read the full interview on I-Connect here. Learn more and explore the opportunities at www.USPAE.org, and follow them on LinkedIn.

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE

IPC Supports U.S. House Passage of National Apprenticeship Act: IPC welcomed the U.S. House’s passage of the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, which would invest nearly $3.5 billion over five years to scale-up apprenticeship opportunities and expand them in 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 upon industry-led education and training programs. Read our full statement here. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

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.

New Rules on PBTs in Effect: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final risk management rules to reduce exposure to persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals (PBTs) went into effect on February 5. 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 updated 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 next Monday, February 15. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EU Parliament Calls for Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: On February 5, the European Parliament’s environment committee adopted a resolution calling for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The committee noted that the CBAM, which would implement a levy on carbon-intensive products imported into Europe, should initially cover energy-intensive industrial sectors such as chemicals. The parliament is expected to vote on the resolution during a plenary session in March, and the European Commission is expected to present a proposal in June. 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.

Interested in Chemical and Product Regulations in Asia? Thailand and China are the first countries to undergo an updated deep dive by our environmental, health, and safety (EHS) experts in 2021. These are just two of our nine white papers on the history of chemical regulations, current regulatory systems, and anticipated trends in the Asia-Pacific region. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EUROPEAN UNION

European Parliament Passes COVID-19 Recovery Fund: On February 9, the European Parliament approved the €672.5 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the primary component of the €750 billion Next Generation EU coronavirus recovery package. The funds will primarily help countries recover from COVID-19 and navigate the green and digital transformations. The RRF is expected to formally come into effect by the end of February. IPC Contact: Alison James.
  
Germany Headlines Project to Spur Semiconductor Investment in Europe: The German government recently announced its intention to boost the German and European semiconductor industry through “targeted aid that could result in overall investments of up to $60 billion,” Reuters reports. The project, known as Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI), will seek to ensure Germany and Europe become more independent of imports of microelectronics and communication technologies by triggering investments in the European chip industry. IPC Contact: Alison James.    

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

Electronics Jobs Poised to Rise Over Pre-Pandemic Levels: All signs indicate 2021 should be a year of economic 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.

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.