Dear IPC Members: Your IPC Government Relations (GR) team is continuing to advocate for you to ensure the industry’s competitiveness and resilience. This week, we’re closely monitoring European policy activity that would restrict the uses of lead, which is used across a broad range of European industries, including electronics and electronic equipment. We will keep you updated on this and all other chemical developments that could affect your business.

All the best,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• Lead Metal Included on ECHA List of Hazardous Substances

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• IPC’s CTC Urges Aggressive Action to Enhance Competitiveness of Electronics Manufacturing

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU 

• How Can Government Help or Hurt You in 2023?

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

• IPC Shares Industry Input on EPA’s Proposed PFAS Rule
• EU Commission Seeks Comment on Taxonomy Criteria

EUROPEAN UNION

• White Paper Highlights Importance of European PCB and Advanced Packaging Supply Chains

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

• IPC Praises U.S. Prioritization of Domestic PCBs and IC Substrates

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Critical Environmental Requirements for Electronics Conference 2023

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

Lead Metal Included on ECHA List of Hazardous Substances: On April 12, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) designated lead (Pb) metal as one of eight substances included on the Authorization List (Annex XIV) of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation. This means that lead, which would be considered a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC), could only be authorized for certain future applications in the European Union. This decision could potentially affect electronics and electrical equipment, and IPC will closely monitor policy developments and will keep you informed of any possible exemptions or timelines for authorizations. Please let us know if you have any questions. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

How Can Government Help or Hurt You in 2023? IPC is conducting a survey to gather information on the top concerns of electronics manufacturing professionals like you and how government policies can either help or hurt you in the next few years. The survey, which will help shape IPC's advocacy efforts in 2023, takes only a few minutes to complete and is a great opportunity to voice your concerns and shape future policies. Read an IPC blog about how you can be involved in IPC advocacy in 2023. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH

IPC Shares Industry Input on EPA’s Proposed PFAS Rule: IPC, Consumer Technology Association (CTA), and Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), recently submitted comments on EPA's proposed rule that would require companies to submit significant new uses of approximately 330 per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) currently listed as “inactive.” The comments emphasized the need to maintain the exemption for articles and highlighted the challenges of collecting data on specific PFAS across the supply chain. Check out IPC’s new blog post for more information. IPC Contact: Suhani Chitalia.

EU Commission Seeks Comment on Taxonomy Criteria: The European Commission has opened a consultation period for a new set of EU Taxonomy criteria that includes economic activities such as electronics manufacturing and their contribution to various environmental objectives. IPC has previously provided feedback on the technical screening criteria for environmental objectives. You can share your comments on the new set of criteria during the consultation period. Please let us know if you have any questions! IPC Contact: Suhani Chitalia.

EUROPEAN UNION

White Paper Highlights Importance of European PCB and Advanced Packaging Supply Chains: Eurospace, the trade association of the European Space Industry, recently released a white paper that impressed the importance of printed circuit board (PCB) and advanced packaging supply chains in Europe. The white paper highlighted vulnerabilities in the European PCB supply chain that affect a broad range of industrial sectors — including consumer electronics and defense — and also addressed to the need for a resilient and competitive EEE components supply chain in Europe. IPC Contact: Alison James.

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

IPC Praises U.S. Prioritization of Domestic PCBs and IC Substrates: IPC recently welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden's "presidential determination" prioritizing the domestic development of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and advanced packaging — including IC substrates — under Title III of the Defense Production Act (DPA). IPC and its allies have been calling on President Biden to address urgent industrial base vulnerabilities, and this move is another step toward securing the domestic supply of critical electronic components; moving beyond a silicon-only mindset; and rebuilding the wider U.S. electronics manufacturing industry. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Critical Environmental Requirements for Electronics Conference 2023: Virtual, June 6, 2023. How can you stay informed on chemical, product, and sustainability policies that affect the electronics industry? Join IPC and Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) for the 2023 Virtual Critical Environmental Requirements for Electronics Conference where industry experts will lead discussions on chemical restrictions, ecodesign policies in the United States and European Union; perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulations; and more. IPC Contact: Suhani Chitalia.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

IPC was pleased to join several European associations in signing a letter to EU leaders calling for the urgent consideration of a level playing field for the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D). The aim of the legislation is to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behavior, anchored to human rights and environmental considerations.		Stating that the current upheaval in the banking industry is “just the start of a wider banking crisis,” IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac commented on IPC’s March Economic Outlook Report, and cautioned readers to “expect the coming months to remain volatile.”

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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