Dear IPC Members: I hope all is well. Supply chain resiliency continue to be a timely topic both here in Washington, D.C. and across the globe, and IPC’s Government Relations team is committed to achieving a holistic approach to identifying and addressing gaps in the supply chain – it's long overdue. How can we better advocate for you on this timely issue?

All the best,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• IPC Responds to REACH Regulation Revision

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• IPC’s John W. Mitchell Comments on Workforce Challenges Facing Industry

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

• Tell Congress: A Robust U.S. Electronics Industry is in the National Interest!

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

• Lead Included on Draft List for REACH Authorization
• Consultation Opens on the General Review of the RoHS Directive
• EPA Reopens Comment Period on 20 Toxic Substances
• Commission Opens Consultation on a New Regulation for Sustainable Products

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

• EU-U.S. Tech Council to Address Supply Chain Resilience
• Geopolitical Uncertainty Affects Electronics Manufacturers Worldwide

UPCOMING EVENTS

• USMCA SME Dialogue
• 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

IPC Responds to REACH Regulation Revision: IPC, alongside a European technology industry partnership, recently responded to the European Commission’s public consultation on the revision of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. The partnership’s response provided industry’s feedback on information requirements on chemical use and exposure; methods for simplifying communications within supply chains; the utility of applying the “essential use” concept; and more. An official legislative proposal is expected by the end of 2022. Let us know if you would like to learn more about the partnership’s response or IPC’s involvement. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The inability to find and retain skilled workers limits the growth and competitiveness of manufacturing companies.” – John W. Mitchell, IPC president and CEO, addresses and offers innovative solutions to workforce challenges facing the electronics manufacturing industry.

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

Tell Congress: A Robust U.S. Electronics Industry is in the National Interest: Encouraging the U.S. government to take a holistic approach to rebuilding its domestic electronics manufacturing ecosystem is the central theme of IPC’s IMPACT Washington Advocacy Campaign. If you agree, please visit the IPC Online Advocacy Center now to tell your Members of Congress to help secure federal support for the entire electronics supply chain. It only takes a minute and has a real impact! IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.

ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH

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 prepared a draft response to the public consultation to provide industry insights on the potential socio-economic effects of an authorization. The consultation closes May 2. Please let us know if you would like to learn more about IPC’s position on this policy activity. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Consultation Opens on General Review of RoHS Directive: The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the general review of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive, including evaluation of the criteria and timelines for exemptions. The RoHS Directive, which aims to protect human health and the environment and maximize recovery of certain hazardous substances after their use, remains one of the most important policies shaping electronics manufacturing. The deadline for comment is June 2. IPC will coordinate a response to this questionnaire, and we invite your engagement with us. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EPA Reopens Comment Period on 20 Toxic Substances: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 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 electronics manufacturing industry to submit information that would help inform the risk evaluation processes for these chemicals, some of which have relevance to electronics manufacturing processes and products. 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.

Commission Opens Consultation on New Regulation for Sustainable Products: The European Commission has opened a public consultation on a regulation that would repeal the existing Ecodesign Directive and establish a new framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products. The proposed regulation notably includes requirements for identifying substances of concern across a product life cycle and information requirements, including a digital product passport. The consultation is open through June 15. IPC welcomes your feedback on the proposed regulation. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EUROPEAN UNION

Industry and Policymakers Agree on Need for Feasible Due Diligence Framework: During a recent exchange on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD) proposal, EU policymakers agreed with industry on the need to ensure a risk-based approach to ensure any framework is feasible for companies. The stakeholders also affirmed the need for the framework to be closely aligned with the existing Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidance on due diligence. If EU institutions agree on a compromise text by 2023, the due diligence rules would go into effect by 2025. IPC continues to engage with key EU decision-makers to ensure a practical and feasible framework for the industry. IPC Contact: Alison James.

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

EU-U.S. Tech Council to Address Supply Chain Resilience: Supply chain resilience is set to be a main topic of the second meeting of the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council (TTC), coming up on May 15-16 in France. Ahead of the upcoming meeting, the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has invited stakeholders to provide input on how to advance supply chain resilience and security in key sectors, including semiconductors. The comment period is open until May 23. IPC welcomes efforts to rekindle the U.S-EU partnership and will continue to advocate for transatlantic cooperation on bolstering the entire electronics manufacturing ecosystem. IPC Contact: Alison James.

Geopolitical Uncertainty Affects Electronics Manufacturers Worldwide: According to the latest data from IPC, the electronics manufacturing supply chain is already feeling the effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. IPC’s April Monthly Economic Update and Global Sentiment Survey found that 80% of manufacturers expect the war to have a negative impact on commodity prices and transportation costs, while 70% anticipate a negative impact on the stock of raw materials. Read more in EP&T Magazine, and let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Shawn DuBravac.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Join IPC and Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) on June 7 for the virtual 2022 Critical Environmental Requirements for Electronics Conference. This event will feature conversations with experts from government and industry with a direct role in the development and implementation of environmental regulations governing the electronics industry and current information on product environmental trends.		“The consistent theme across the board is that we don’t have a pipeline that is feeding talent directly into the industry, and therefore the industry is struggling to identify ways to bring in talent.” David Hernandez, IPC vice president of education, talks to I-Connect007 about ways to upskill the electronics manufacturing workforce and develop a labor pipeline as the industry continues to struggle with the skills gap.

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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