Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• Michigan Supports Calumet Plans for First U.S. Substrate Factory

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• Ken Molitor of QP Technologies on Supply Chain Stability and Packaging

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

• Raimondo Backs the EM Ecosystem Again, But Questions Remain

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

• India Launches Chemical Inventory Platform
• New Climate Disclosure Laws Signed in California
• U.S. EPA Rule on PFAS Reporting Requirements Effective Nov. 13

EUROPEAN UNION

• EC’s 2024 Work Programme Aims to Reduce Reporting Requirements
• IPC Renews Call for Silicon-to-Systems EU Industrial Strategy

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

• DBX Microelectronics Challenge Entries Exceed Expectations

UPCOMING EVENTS

• iNEMI Sustainable Electronics Technology Integration Group, Nov. 1
• iNEMI Counterfeit Components Tech Topic Series: Counterfeit Management & Best Practices, Nov. 7
• Highlights of IPC’s 2023 PCB Technology Trends Study: Webinar, Nov. 9
• IPC Electronics Forum at productronica 2023, Nov. 15-18
• PFAS: Global Regulations, Restrictions, and Alternatives, Dec. 5
• Global Chemicals Management for Electronics 2023, Dec. 6-7

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TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

Michigan Supports Calumet Plans for First U.S. Substrate Factory: In a significant step for the U.S. electronics manufacturing industry, the state of Michigan announced Tuesday incentives to help IPC-member Calumet Electronics build the nation’s first substrate manufacturing facility in the company’s hometown. Calumet’s plans address a significant need in the U.S. microelectronics ecosystem, which currently lacks the critical mass to complement the semiconductor investments coming through the CHIPS and Sciences Act. “The funding will allow Calumet Electronics to advance our technology with a primary focus on bringing semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing back to the United States,” said Stephen Vairo, Calumet’s president. IPC has strongly advocated for the need to invest in the microelectronics ecosystem in order to strengthen the resiliency of the supply chain, and we’re excited to see Michigan and its governor, Gretchen Whitmer, take that step to support Calumet in its goals. Read more about the announcement.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Most companies that offer semiconductor packaging and assembly capabilities are located overseas, primarily in Asia. Thus, reshoring/onshoring of semiconductor manufacturing creates significant opportunities for U.S.-based providers of these services, while requiring even more vigilance in building and maintaining their supply chains to ensure minimal interruption and maximum stability.” –  Ken Molitor, chief operating officer for QP Technologies, in a column for Supply & Demand Chain Executive about the need for a stable supply chain.

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

Raimondo Backs the EM Ecosystem Again, But Questions Remain: U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo earlier this month testified before the Senate Commerce Committee about implementation of the CHIPS Act, and for what was perhaps the fifth time this year, she 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.

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND SUSTAINABILITY

India Launches Chemical Inventory Platform. Designed to meet the needs of the chemical industry, ChemIndia launched Oct. 10 as a new comprehensive data collection system and data-sharing hub for users of chemicals as well as researchers and policymakers. India’s Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals created the inventory system to allow for real-time data collection, big data analytics and data processing capabilities, and easy access to information. India is just one of many who are aiming to collect more information about the chemicals and materials manufactured, imported, and used to make products, like electronics. The trend toward improved supply chain transparency is realized through systems like ChemIndia. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

New Climate Disclosure Laws Signed in California: California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 7 signed the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, which will require U.S. companies with annual revenues of $1 billion or more to report both their direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions starting in 2026. A second signed law, the Climate-related Financial Risk Act, will require companies generating $500 million or more to report financial risks related to climate change and their risk mitigation plans. These rules go further than other proposed climate disclosure rules in the U.S. and are likely to have far-reaching impacts. A good summary of the policies is here. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

U.S. EPA Rule on PFAS Reporting Requirements Effective Nov. 13: 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 .

EUROPEAN UNION

EC’s 2024 Work Programme Aims to Reduce Reporting Requirements: The European Commission last week published its 2024 Work Programme, with an emphasis on reducing reporting requirements by 25% to improve the European Union’s global competitiveness. IPC welcomes the move, having previously communicated to the EC about the breadth of reporting obligations faced by electronics manufacturers, notably in the environmental and sustainability fields. As part of the Work Programme, the EC is seeking comments through Nov. 28 to identify reporting requirements that can be removed or rationalized without undermining policy objectives. IPC will be submitting comments, and we welcome your input. In related action, the Commission also proposed to postpone the deadline to adopt sector-specific European sustainability reporting standards. “Fitness checks” on a series of existing legislation will continue. IPC Contact: Alison James.

IPC Renews Call for Silicon-to-Systems EU Industrial Strategy: As European political leaders gathered in Granada, Spain, on 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 Challenge Entries Exceed Expectations: The Defense Business Accelerator (DBX) Microelectronics Challenge, launched in late September by IPC-subsidiary U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) with funding from the U.S. Department of Defense, received twice the number of entries expected by the Oct. 12 deadline. A third of the entries came from small- and medium-sized microelectronics firms, a sign of both the depth of innovation running through the industry and the interest to develop dual-use technologies with applications in both civilian and national security sectors. DBX will award up to 10 grants between $500,000 and $2 million to develop the proposals. Finalists will be announced in coming weeks and invited to pitch their solutions at the Defense TechConnect Innovation & Expo on Nov. 28. USPAE Contact: Nathan Edwards.

UPCOMING EVENTS

iNEMI Sustainable Electronics Technology Integration Group (TIG), Nov. 1, 11 am-12 pm EDT. The group will host Fraunhofer IZM for a discussion on the Digital Product Passport (DPP) and the work of CIRPASS, the organization focused on developing a pilot program and roadmap for DPP. Contact iNEMI’s Mark Schaffer to be added to the team meeting.

iNEMI Counterfeit Components Tech Topic Series: Counterfeit Management & Best Practices: Webinar, Nov. 7, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Focusing on standards that address issues related to counterfeits, such as detection, traceability, mitigation, reporting and more. Open to the industry, advanced registration is required.

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 Electronics Forum at productronica 2023: Presentations at IPC booth, #A4-502, Nov. 15-18. Presentation topics include: advanced packaging, design, IPC-CFX, sustainability, WHMA. Click for ticket information and to register.  

PFAS: Global Regulations, Restrictions, and Alternatives: Virtual, Dec. 5. Presented by Chemical Watch, this one-day conference will address the latest regulatory developments around per- and polyfluoroalkyl and share advice on how to respond, including discussions about the rising market for PFAS-free alternatives. Registration is ₤495.
 
Global Chemicals Management for Electronics 2023: Virtual, Dec. 6-7. Presented by Chemical Watch, this two-day conference will provide an in-depth focus on regulatory updates and practice for the management of chemicals in electronics. On Dec. 6, Kelly Scanlon will moderate a panel on regulatory developments in the Americas and on PFAS, Dec. 7. IPC members receive a 15% discount on registration. E-mail events@chemicalwatch.com for more information.

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You’re invited to attend the monthly iNEMI Sustainable Electronics Technology Integration Group (TIG), on November 1. TIG will be hosting Fraunhofer IZM for a discussion on the Digital Product Passport (DPP) and the work of CIRPASS, the group focused on developing a pilot program and roadmap for DPP, focused on prototypes in three value chains: electronics, batteries, and textiles. Presenting at the meeting will be Eduard Wagner, Fraunhofer IZM, who will explain the goal of his team to provide an information architecture that determines which types of knowledge have added value for specific actors in the value chain and at what cost this information could be provided.		Making an Impact with Manufacturing Day 2023! I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer through my job with IPC and participate with Deep East Texas Manufacturing Alliance to bring Manufacturing Day 2023 to the students of East Texas. It’s all about inspiring and educating the next generation about the exciting world of manufacturing. Seeing the enthusiasm and curiosity of these young minds was truly heartwarming. We’re empowering them with knowledge, showing them the possibilities, and igniting their passion for the future.

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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