Dear IPC Members: I hope you and yours are well. We are encouraged by the growing global conversation about the future of manufacturing. Here in the United States, legislation to improve domestic manufacturing and competitiveness continues to gain bipartisan support, which we cautiously hope signals an impending resolution. Our GR team will continue to monitor and engage on these issues.

And as always, please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for IPC advocacy.

All the best,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• Calls Grow for Passage of U.S. Competitiveness Legislation

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

• Tell Congress: A Robust U.S. Electronics Industry Is in Everyone’s Interest!

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

• PIP (3:1) Compliance Deadline Extended to October 2024
• EPA Reopens Comments on 20 Toxic Substances
• Lead Included on Draft List for REACH Authorization
• IPC Shares Input on Proposed Changes to RoHS Directive

EUROPEAN UNION

• Commission Discusses EU Due Diligence Proposal

TRADE AND SUPLY CHAIN

• Sanctions on Russia Include Electronics-Related Export Controls

UPCOMING EVENTS

• How PFAS Policies Affect the Electronics Industry

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

Calls Grow for Passage of Competitiveness Legislation: A bipartisan group of national security experts this week urged the U.S. Congress to pass much-needed funding for semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced technologies. Both the House- and Senate-passed bills include $52 billion in CHIPS Act funding as well as additional measures to boost domestic research and development (R&D). IPC urges Congress to complete and pass this legislation, and we will continue to work with the Biden administration and Congress to strengthen America’s semiconductor supply chain, including advanced packaging, printed circuit boards, and related sectors. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

Tell Congress: A Robust U.S. Electronics Industry Is in Everyone’s Interest: Encouraging the U.S. government to take a holistic approach to rebuilding its domestic electronics manufacturing ecosystem has been the central theme of IPC’s IMPACT Washington Advocacy Week. If you agree, please visit the IPC Online Advocacy Center to tell your Members of Congress to help secure federal support for the entire electronics supply chain. IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.

ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH

PIP (3:1) Compliance Deadline Extended to October 2024: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced recently that it has extended the compliance deadline for phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1) – PIP (3:1) – and PIP (3:1)-containing articles. The new compliance deadline will be October 31, 2024 – more than three years beyond the original deadline. PIP (3:1) is a chemical substance used as a flame retardant and plasticizer in electronics. Please let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EPA Reopens Comments on 20 Toxic Substances: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reopened the dockets for the 20 high-priority substances to undergo risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This provides an additional opportunity for the public to submit information that would help inform the risk evaluation processes for these chemicals. The dockets are open until June 9. Please let us know if you are interested in this opportunity to inform future policy decisions. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
 
Lead Included on Draft List for REACH Authorization: Lead (Pb) metal is one of eight substances included in a draft list of substances being considered for inclusion on the Authorization List (Annex XIV) of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. IPC is preparing to respond to the public consultation by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which closes on May 2, to provide industry insights on the potential socio-economic effects should Pb be added. Let us know if you would like to learn more. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

IPC Shares Input on Proposed Changes to RoHS Directive: On March 14, IPC submitted comments to the European Commission’s call for evidence for an impact assessment on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive and how it affects electronics. IPC also supported the response from the RoHS Industry Umbrella Project. In other RoHS-related news, the commission also opened a public consultation through June 2 on a general review of the directive. IPC will coordinate a response to this questionnaire, and we welcome your engagement with us. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EUROPEAN UNION

Commission Discusses EU Due Diligence Proposal: The corporate sustainability due diligence (CSDD) proposal was a hot topic this week in the European Commission. The proposal would introduce human rights and environmental due diligence rules for all large companies operating within the European Union while excluding small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The commission confirmed that a ban on products made using forced labor will be released by September, along with guidelines to help companies comply with the new rules. The proposal will now be examined by the European Parliament and EU Member States. Let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Alison James.

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

Sanctions on Russia Include Electronics-Related Export Controls: Several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, have imposed severe sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. Chief among them are export controls that will curtail Russia’s access to foreign technological exports, including semiconductors and equipment and components used in electronics. Gary Stanley, President at Global Legal Services, recently led an IPC webinar providing information on the newly imposed export controls and how they affect the electronics industry. View the webinar on-demand here. IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.

UPCOMING EVENTS

How PFAS Policies Affect the Electronics Industry: Virtual, April 21. IPC is hosting a free webinar to provide information on emerging chemical and product regulations and the complex nature of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in electronics. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
 

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

“We have never had IC substrate production in North America. This isn’t a bring-it-back story. It’s we-need-to-get-it story." Matt Kelly, IPC chief technologist, talked to EE Times about the urgent need for North America to develop domestic capabilities for IC substrates, testing and packaging, and to ease off the heavy reliance on foreign sources.		“I come to IPC APEX EXPO because the whole industry is here.” Enjoy this recap of the premier event in North America for electronics manufacturing.

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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