Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• Raimondo Says It Again, But Questions Remain

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• U.S. Commerce Secretary on CHIPS Act Investments in Manufacturing

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

• IPC Brings Funding, Workforce Message to Capitol Hill
• North American Government Relations Committee Reconvenes

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

• Japan Adds PFHxS to List of Regulated PFAS Substances
• U.S. EPA Finalizes Rule on PFAS Reporting Requirements
• IPC Seeks Reasonable Timeline for PFAS Transition in Europe

EUROPEAN UNION

• IPC Renews Call for Silicon-to-Systems EU Industrial Strategy

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

• DBX Program Launched for Dual Use Electronics Development
• USPAE Announces Planning Sprint for PCB Market Catalyst

UPCOMING EVENTS

• IPC CEMAC 2023: Shanghai, Oct. 27
• Highlights of IPC’s 2023 PCB Technology Trends Study: Webinar, Nov. 9
• IPC WinterCom 2024: Barcelona, Jan. 22-25

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TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

Raimondo Says It Again, But Questions Remain: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo last week testified before the Senate Commerce Committee about implementation of the CHIPS Act, and for what we believe was the fifth time this year in a public setting, she again highlighted the government’s efforts to build up domestic electronics manufacturing capabilities beyond just semiconductor chips, including “advanced packaging.” IPC and others have praised the positive signals but have called on the Commerce Dept. to clarify its plans with regard to advanced packaging, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and IC substrates under the CHIPS for America program. The latest Notice of Funding Opportunities under the program does not cover these related components, which are overwhelmingly produced abroad and which chips need to function. Raimondo also cautioned that a possible government shutdown in November would impact the department’s ability to award funds for manufacturing investments. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“When we’re successful, the United States will become the premier destination in the world, where new chip architecture can be invented in our resource labs, designed for applications, manufactured at scale by well-trained, well-paid American workers, and packaged in the United States.” –  U.S Commerce Secretary Gina Raimonda in testimony on Oct. 4 to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

IPC Brings Funding, Workforce Message to Capitol Hill: At the NIST CHIPS R&D Standards Summit Sept. 26-27 and in meetings on Capitol Hill, at the White House, and across Washington, Matt Kelly, IPC vice president of technology solutions, and Dave Hernandez, IPC vice president of education, urged U.S. policy makers to take a “silicon-to-systems” approach to CHIPS Act implementation and to step up efforts to build a high-skilled workforce for the industry’s needs. Kelly called for full funding to implement the Presidential Determination that PCBs are a vital national security interest, while Hernandez advocated for reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and tax credits and incentives for training and certification. Read more about their presentations and visits to Capitol Hill on the IPC Blog. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

North American Government Relations Committee Reconvenes: Members of the IPC North American Government Relations Committee recently gathered after a long hiatus for the committee. Rich Cappetto, who recently joined IPC as senior director for North American Government Relations, reconvened the advisory committee, which is chaired by Dan Weber from TTM Technologies. Discussions covered IPC’s new initiative to uncover government grant opportunities for its members; new workforce development initiatives, including two recently approved Registered Apprenticeships; and advocacy activities including those on PFAS restrictions and U.S. Government funding plans for PCBs and advanced packaging. The outlines of IPC’s 2024 government relations strategy were also presented. Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for the GR Committee’s consideration. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND SUSTAINABILITY

Japan Adds PFHxS to List of Regulated PFAS Substances: The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Ministry of Environment (MoE) jointly issued a notice for public consultation regarding a proposal to designate perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and their salts as Class I Specified Chemical Substances. These substances are being eyed for regulations because they are persistent in the environment and pose risks of long-term toxicity to human health. As a result of this revision, companies would need to seek permission for the manufacture and import of these substances. PFHxS would join perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) as types of PFAS being banned for manufacture and import to Japan. This policy action is just one of many that IPC is tracking that address the manufacture and use of PFAS around the world. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

U.S. EPA Finalizes Rule on PFAS Reporting Requirements: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the reporting and recordkeeping requirements for companies that manufacture or import per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including PFAS in articles. The rule defines the scope of PFAS included in the requirements; the scope of entities covered by the rule; and the information that must be reported. Here is a summary of the rule by our friends at Bergeson & Campbell law firm. Required data spans to January 1, 2011, and is due to the EPA within 18 months from November 13, 2023, the effective date of the final rule. The due date for small businesses importing articles extends to 24 months after the effective date. IPC worked with partner associations CTA and ITI to submit comments to the EPA during the proposed rulemaking process in 2021, and we will continue to advise you on the implications of the final rule for electronics manufacturers. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

IPC Seeks Reasonable Timeline for PFAS Transition in Europe: Responding to the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) request for public input on proposed restrictions of thousands of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), IPC advocated for a timeline that aligns with the most conservative industry estimates for a reasonable transition. IPC emphasized the complexity of the electronics manufacturing supply chain and the “cascade of utility” that PFAS provide to electronics manufacturers and to society. The lack of a comprehensive understanding of these many uses and the potential negative impacts of a PFAS ban prompted the request for a 12-year derogation period plus 18 months, the longest possible time-limited option available. Read a summary of IPC’s response here. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EUROPEAN UNION

IPC Renews Call for Silicon-to-Systems EU Industrial Strategy: As European political leaders gathered in Granada, Spain, Oct. 6-7 to discuss the EU’s Strategic Agenda for a resilient EU, and as the European Commission released its Recommendation on Critical Technologies for Economic Security, IPC reiterated its call for an EU “silicon-to-systems” industrial strategy. IPC highlighted this summer’s industry-curated analysis on the need to bolster Europe’s PCB and EMS industries, a report that was supported by a broad European stakeholder base and prepared at the request of the European Commission. IPC is continuing to pursue next steps following the report. IPC Contact: Alison James.

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

DBX Program Launched for Dual Use Electronics Development: Yesterday (Oct. 12) was the deadline for companies to submit proposals for funding in the first round of the Defense Business Accelerator (DBX) competition. The DBX is a game-changing effort to flip the model for technology development, emphasizing government funding for “dual use” electronics with applications in both the private sector and national security. In late November, DBX will announce up to 10 grants of $500,000 to $2 million each for the best of these proposals. The program was launched last month by the IPC subsidiary U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) with funding from the U.S. Department of Defense. DBX is the culmination of significant work in raising government awareness of the need for a stronger and more resilient electronics industrial base. USPAE Contact: Nathan Edwards.
 
USPAE Announces Planning Sprint for PCB Market Catalyst: In another new industry initiative with funding from the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE), an IPC subsidiary, announced it is developing a new business model that could support advanced PCB manufacturing growth through services, workforce development, and research. The funding award is a reflection of the industry’s collective efforts to educate government leaders on the importance of domestic capabilities for UHDI PCB development and manufacturing. Industry veteran Joe O’Neil is leading a “planning sprint” to gather input from the industry to shape the long-term initiative. Learn more and lend your insights at www.uspae.org/PCBMarketCatalyst.

UPCOMING EVENTS

IPC CEMAC 2023: Shanghai, Oct.27. IPC CEMAC (China Electronics Manufacturing Annual Conference), co-organized with Pudong New Area Association for Quality and Technology Shanghai, will feature discussions with experts on IPC standards, automotive electronics, advanced packaging, the factory of the future, talent cultivation and sustainability, and innovative products and solutions. An IPC member awards and appreciation dinner will be held as well. Register today!

Highlights of IPC’s 2023 PCB Technology Trends Study: Webinar, Nov. 9, 10-11 a.m. CST. Industry veteran Mike Carano will present key findings from IPC’s recently published PCB Technology Trends study. The findings provide guidance to the electronics supply chain in meeting the current and future needs of OEMs and the outlook for circuit board technology development through 2028. Registration is free.

IPC WinterCom 2024: Barcelona, Spain, Jan. 22-25, 2024. A new event to support IPC standards development committees in face-to-face sessions, WinterCom 2024 will bring colleagues together from around the globe for a week of meetings. The event is free to both IPC members and non-members with an interest in IPC standards development committee meetings.

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IPC’s Cory Blaylock, director of workforce partnerships, joined Texas Workforce Commissioner Aaron Demerson, representing employers, at the recent Texas Interns Unite! “Power in the Pines” event. Blaylock offered career development tips and pointers on building relationships with manufacturing companies nationwide.		This is what happens when IPC, its members, and allies work together to promote closer collaboration on strategic needs between government and the electronics manufacturing industry. Kudos to USPAE for winning this award; looking forward to supporting it as it unfolds.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US 

Meet the IPC GR Team: Whether it is engaging with policymakers in the Americas, the European Union, or Asia, 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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