IPC Global Advocacy Report
4/9/2021

Dear IPC Members:

I hope you and yours are well.

Electronics are at the heart of the economy, and they will be at the heart of the economic recovery from COVID-19. This is something IPC has been saying for over a year now, and governments across the globe seem to be taking notice.

If you would like to help us capitalize on this momentum, contact me or visit our Advocacy Center to get involved in our U.S. advocacy. With your help, we can better advocate for our industry’s policy priorities.

Meanwhile, here’s your weekly five-minute update on current government policy actions that may affect your business. 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

IPC Encourages “Holistic Approach” to Electronics Supply Chains: The U.S. Government must increase its support of semiconductor manufacturing and the entire electronics ecosystem to maintain its global competitiveness, IPC and the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) affirmed in comments submitted this week to the U.S. Department of Commerce. IPC and USPAE support U.S. President Joe Biden’s Executive Order to review the global supply chain, and we are urging the administration to take a holistic approach, not just focusing on a few links in the supply chain. Biden’s administration will also meet next week with chipmakers and automakers to discuss the global shortage of microprocessors and other supply chain concerns. Read this new IPC blog for more information, and let us know if you have any questions or comments on this issue. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Prior to 2000, the United States was the world’s leading electronics manufacturer. In the 20 years since, electronics manufacturing has largely moved to Asia. Asia now produces more than 70 percent of all electronics manufactured globally. The U.S. PCB industry, which once accounted for more than 30 percent of total global production, today accounts for less than 5 percent.- IPC urged the Biden administration to devote more robust federal support to the entire electronics manufacturing ecosystem in comments submitted this week.

 

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

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.
 
My Takeaways from IPC APEX EXPO 2021: The electronics industry has responded to the coronavirus global pandemic with resiliency, agility, and an unwavering commitment to build electronics better. Check out my top five takeaways from IPC APEX EXPO 2021 in this I-Connect007 article. And remember, all conference content is available online through June 13. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

 

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Heads Up – Your Business May See Increased Workplace Inspections: The U.S. 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.

Your Feedback Needed on PBT Rules: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to seek public comments 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 next Friday, April 16. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

IPC Launches Industry Initiative to Provide Guidance on ESG Practices: IPC is in the early stages of a new initiative 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; please 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. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

 

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

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 latest Economic Outlook Report. Please let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Shawn DuBravac.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

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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