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Dear IPC Members:
Here’s your five-minute update on current government policy actions that may affect your business.
Infrastructure is the talk of the town in Washington, D.C. this week. U.S. President Joe Biden’s new, wide-ranging infrastructure plan presents fresh opportunities to drive growth and resilience in electronics manufacturing. We will be engaging in these discussions. This week, IPC also endorsed legislation to create a manufacturing policy czar in the White House, consistent with our recommendation.
Meanwhile, the global economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic continues with varying success. Check out IPC’s latest monthly economic report below and let us know how the pandemic is affecting your outlook.
As always, there are a bevy of regulatory matters that could have impacts on your company, and opportunities for you to shape policy through your expertise. Please let us know if you have any government-related questions or concerns.
All the best,
Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations
TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK
Heads Up – Your Business May See Increased Workplace Inspections: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to reduce worker exposures to COVID-19. The NEP, which will increase workplace inspections, is separate from the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), which will aim to improve worker health and safety protections amid COVID-19. Here is what we know so far in this IPC blog; IPC will update you as this situation evolves. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
Biden Unveils $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan, Includes Tax Hikes: U.S. President Joe Biden unveiled his wide-ranging $2 trillion infrastructure package Wednesday, and supply chain concerns are front and center. The package, called the American Jobs Plan, is set to invest in American manufacturing and high-technology industries to better compete in the global economy. The proposal also offers incentives for domestic production of critical goods such as semiconductors, batteries, and clean-energy technologies, USA Today reports. A corporate tax hike is being planned to help finance the package. IPC will delve into the details and update you as negotiations progress. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.
IPC’s Latest Economic Trends Report: “The U.S. recovery will accelerate and further diverge from Europe, which will likely see flat to negative growth in the first quarter.” That’s the word from IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac, who provides insight into the economic recovery in the U.S., Europe, and China in IPC’s March Economic Outlook Report. Please let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Shawn DuBravac.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We should see the economy add jobs back at a fast clip in the next few months. … Businesses look ready to hire.” – IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac in the IPC Economic Outlook for March.
IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU
My Takeaways from IPC APEX EXPO 2021: IPC APEX EXPO 2021, which went all virtual this year, exemplified how the electronics industry has responded to the coronavirus global pandemic: with resiliency, agility, and an unwavering commitment to build electronics better. APEX EXPO featured great content and robust discussions on topics of critical importance to the global electronics industry. Check out my top five takeaways from this year’s conference in my new article in I-Connect007 here. And remember, all conference content is available online through June 13. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.
Help Shape Factory of the Future Migration: IPC is inviting your participation in a new U.S. working group that will help prepare a policy roadmap for the Factory of the Future. The group will develop a white paper identifying policy measures that the U.S. Government can implement to support the electronics industry’s migration to factories of the future, to be used by IPC to promote legislative and regulatory proposals. Let us know if you would like to join and participate. IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY
IPC Praises Direction of TSCA Fees Rule: In comments filed March 26, IPC and two peer electronics associations praised the direction of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed "Fees Rule" under the Toxic Substances Control Act. IPC has been advocating for commonsense reforms to the 2018 rule, and we are pleased that the proposed rule makes important and positive changes. The EPA is expected to finalize the updated fees rule by October. Check out this IPC blog for the latest on the Fees Rule, and let us know if you have any questions or input. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
Your Feedback Needed on PBT Rules: On March 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened a 60-day comment period on the final risk-management rules for phenol, isopropylated, phosphate (3:1) – PIP (3:1) for short – and four other persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals. PIP (3:1) has a history of use in electronics. IPC is working with other industry groups to respond to EPA’s request for information on usage of the PBTs, with special emphasis on PIP (3:1). Without industry input, the EPA will be unable to create realistic risk management strategies. You can help us by reading this updated IPC blog and responding to our survey by April 16. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
IPC Launches Industry Initiative to Provide Guidance on ESG Practices: On March 8, IPC launched a new initiative with leaders from across the electronics industry to develop guidance on an industry-specific approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. The ESG for Electronics Initiative will work to support industry engagement on a range of societal concerns, including circularity, eco-design, and raw materials management. View more information on the initiative here. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.
EC Opens Consultation on Sustainable Products Initiative: The European Commission recently opened a public consultation on its Sustainable Products Initiative, and your input is needed. The initiative will revise and expand the Ecodesign Directive and address the presence of harmful chemicals in electronics and ICT equipment, among other products. The consultation runs through June 9. IPC’s advocacy team is interested in hearing from you about this initiative. IPC Contact: Alison James.
Taiwan Seeks to Regulate Two Chemicals Used in Electronics: Ammonium nitrate and hydrogen fluoride, two chemicals used in the electronics and semiconductor industry, will be regulated as “concerned chemicals” under a March 29 proposal from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Comments on the proposal are open until May 28. We will keep you updated on any changes to the proposal, and let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
China Proposes Updates to Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances: On March 17, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) proposed adding an additional 204 chemical substances to the Inventory of Existing Chemicals Substances (IECSC). 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. The proposal will be open for public comment until March 30. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN
New White House Manufacturing Czar Gains Bipartisan Support in U.S. Congress: This week, a bipartisanship team in the U.S. Congress introduced legislation that would create an office of manufacturing and industrial innovation policy in the White House. IPC supports this effort and is consistent with IPC’s call for an interagency manufacturing policy lead, highlighted in our recent policy agenda sent to the Biden administration. This move is a critical step as the U.S. seeks to develop and implement a robust manufacturing strategy. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.
USTR Confirms China Tariffs Will Remain for Now: U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai recently confirmed that the “U.S. isn’t ready to lift tariffs on Chinese imports in the near future, but might be open to trade negotiations with Beijing,” The Wall Street Journal reports. Tariffs have adversely impacted U.S. electronics manufacturers, and in a 2019 IPC report, nearly 90 percent of respondents cited concern about the impacts of higher tariffs and the financial burden it would levy on them. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.
IPC Urges “Holistic Approach” to Electronics Supply Chains: U.S. President Joe Biden on February 24 ordered a 100-day review of the global supply chain for items including semiconductor chips and critical minerals used in electronics. IPC supports this review and urges the Biden administration to take a holistic approach, not just focusing on a few links in the supply chain. IPC is preparing to submit comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce; let us know if you have any input. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Collecting Missing Data to Meet the New TSCA Deadlines: Virtual webinar, April 7. Many companies do not have the data to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rules for the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Join IPC ’s Kelly Scanlon and Assent Compliance’s Bruce Jarnot for more on how to update your compliance program to meet TSCA deadlines restricting chemicals in products used in electronics manufacturing. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
Critical Environmental Requirements for Electronics Conference: Virtual, June 29. Join the world’s leading environmental regulatory experts at IPC and ITI’s upcoming conference on critical environmental requirements for electronics. Stay updated on the latest environmental requirements, like Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and more, that could impact your product’s design, manufacturing, supply chain management, and technology innovation. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US
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Contact one of us if you have any questions or insights to contribute.
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Explore our IPC Government Relations information online.
Meet the IPC GR Team: Whether it’s engaging with policymakers in Washington, D.C., in the European Union or in China, the IPC Government Relations (GR) Team proactively seeks opportunities to educate, inform and influence policymakers on policies that spur innovation, growth and competition, while protecting human health and the environment. But our success depends on your support and engagement. Learn more and get involved in IPC advocacy today! IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.
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