IPC Global Advocacy Report

7/8/2022

Dear IPC Members:

As we enter the second half of the year, it provides us all with an opportunity to assess our goals, hit the refresh button if necessary, and commit to finishing the year strong. Here at IPC, we remain committed to educating policymakers and building lasting support for government policies that enable our industry to thrive.

If you have not visited the IPC Action Alert Center lately, please check it out and follow the links to:

  • Urge your Members of Congress to support the PCB sector;
  • Help secure federal support for the entire electronics supply chain; and
  • Tell us which government policies concern you the most.

IPC is guided by your perspectives on these issues. Please send us a message if you have any input or questions on what governments should be doing to support the industry’s long-term growth and evolution.

All the best,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

 

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

  • Last Chance – Join IPC Letter Supporting PCB Legislation

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

  • IPC’s Shawn DuBravac Comments on Global Economic Outlook

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU 

  • Know Anyone Interested in an Environmental Policy Career?

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

  • OSHA Moves to Limit Workplace Lead Exposure
  • EPA Seeks Input on Risks of Two Chemicals Used in Electronics
  • IPC Standard for Green Cleaners Open for Review

EUROPEAN UNION

  • EU Council Leaders’ Priorities Include Industrial Strategy

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

  • Competitiveness Legislation Hits Snag in U.S. Congress
  • Biden to Consider Relaxing China Tariffs

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US


TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

Last Chance – Join IPC Letter Supporting PCB Legislation: IPC needs your company’s support in the halls of the U.S. Congress. IPC is currently organizing a multi-company executive leadership letter in support of recently introduced legislation that would address challenges in the printed circuit board (PCB) industry and the entire U.S. electronics supply chain. The Supporting American Printed Circuit Boards Act of 2022 is critical to rebuilding U.S. electronics manufacturing; would ease an already strained U.S. supply chain; and would improve national security. If you are a senior executive at your company, the deadline to sign onto IPC’s letter is next Monday, July 11. IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Inflationary pressures remain historically high in many parts of the world. While supply chains appear to be improving, pricing pressure remains stiff. How these forces will evolve in the coming months adds to the long list of uncertainties around the globe that will continue to dominate the near-term outlook.”
–  Shawn DuBravac, IPC chief economist, comments on the current global economic outlook in IPC’s July Economic Report. 
 

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

Know Anyone Interested in an Environmental Policy Career? Passionate about environment and health issues? IPC is looking to hire an environmental regulatory affairs manager who will be responsible for coordinating information relevant to regulatory affairs and industry advocacy. This position will help monitor global environmental policy developments and regulatory requirements, liaise with industry members and policymakers, and develop responses to government consultations. Let us know if you have any questions! IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

 

ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH

OSHA Moves to Limit Workplace Lead Exposure: On June 28, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to revise its standards for workplace exposure to lead (Pb). Lead can be found in solders used in electronics manufacturing, and some facilities may be affected by this revised standard. Comments on modifying OSHA’s lead standards are due by August 29. Let us know if you have any questions or will be affected by this. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EPA Seeks Input on Risks of Two Chemicals Used in Electronics: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting public comments on the draft risk determination of two chemicals —  methylene chloride and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) — being evaluated by EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Both chemicals have industrial and commercial use in electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing. Comments are due on August 1 and August 4 for NMP and methylene chloride, respectively. Please let us know if your company uses these chemicals and you have any insights for us. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon  

IPC Standard for Green Cleaners Open for Review: IPC’s draft version of a standard for green cleaners used in electronics manufacturing is now open for public review. IPC-1402 is a first-of-its-kind standard that defines and sets minimum criteria for green cleaners – chemical cleaners meeting a defensible set of green chemistry requirements – used in electronics manufacturing processes. Comments on the standard will be accepted through mid-July. Let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

 

EUROPEAN UNION

EU Council Leaders’ Priorities Include Industrial Strategy: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine; energy security; strengthening defense and cybersecurity capabilities; and implementing the European industrial strategy are some of the top priorities of the Czech Republic’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, which began on July 1. The Czechs will also aim to reach an agreement on the EU Chips Act and will continue to improve cooperation within the EU-US Trade and Tech Council. The presidency’s responsibilities include steering the council’s political agenda and helping achieve compromises among EU institutions and EU Member States. IPC Contact: Alison James.

 

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

Competitiveness Legislation Hits Snag in U.S. Congress: The U.S. Senate and the U.S. House have reached an impasse on negotiations on the final version of a bill that will provide much-needed funding for semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced technologies. The passage of the Bipartisan Innovation Act, formerly USICA/America COMPETES Act, remains a top priority for the Biden administration. IPC urges Congress to complete and pass this legislation, and we will continue to work with the administration and Congress to strengthen America ’s semiconductor supply chain, including advanced packaging, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and related sectors. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

Biden to Consider Relaxing China Tariffs: The Biden administration is considering easing some tariffs on Chinese imports following the conclusion of the first stage of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) four-year review of the Trump-era tariffs, the Wall Street Journal reports. However, the administration may also raise tariffs on industrial machinery to keep leverage over China while lowering tariffs on consumer goods. IPC will continue to monitor potential U.S. trade actions that could impact our members and will provide updates as we have them. IPC Contact: Ken Schramko.


HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Learn why the U.S. economy needs the Bipartisan Innovation Act and the PCB Act in this recent interview with IPC Vice President of Global Government Relations Chris Mitchell.

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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