Dear IPC Members: Your IPC Government Relations (GR) team is continuing to advocate for government policies to enhance the industry’s competitiveness and resilience.  For example, we’re working to raise our industry’s awareness of the risks of a potential EU ban on PFAS chemicals, which could disrupt industry supply chains. Learn more below.

We’re also pleased to announce that our friend Nathan Edwards is stepping up to become executive director of the U.S. Partners hip for Assured Electronics (USPAE).

Please help us build on our advocacy efforts! Visit our Advocacy Center to let us know your top concerns in just a few clicks or contact me with your questions and suggestions.

All the best,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• Nathan Edwards to Lead USPAE as New Executive Director

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• IPC’s John W. Mitchell on the New Leadership Team at USPAE

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU 

• How Can Government Help or Hurt You in 2023? 

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

• EU Eyeing Total Ban on PFAS Chemicals
• EU Commission Seeks Comment on Taxonomy Criteria 
• Lead Metal Included on ECHA List of Hazardous Substances 

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

• IPC Praises U.S. Prioritization of Domestic PCBs and IC Substrates
• EU Institutions Reach Deal on European CHIPS ACT

UPCOMING EVENTS

• iNEMI Sustainable Electronics Meeting, May 3
• IPC SummerCom, May 13-18
• Critical Environmental Requirements for Electronics, June 6

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

Nathan Edwards Takes Helm at Assured Electronics Group: Effective May 1, 2023, Nathan Edwards will transition into the role of executive director of the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE). Currently serving as director of government development, Edwards is replacing Chris Peters, who will remain as a senior advisor, providing continuity and focus on special projects. The USPAE works with key stakeholders to ensure the U.S. Government has access to trusted, secure, and resilient electronics supply chains. One of the organization’s signature programs is the $42 million Defense Electronics Consortium, which provides a contract vehicle for the Department of Defense (DoD) to work on electronics-related challenges with trusted partners in industry and academia. For more information, visit www.USPAE.org or send inquiries to info@uspae.org. 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We’re fortunate to have both Nathan and Chris as part of the USPAE leadership team. Nathan knows the U.S. Government customer well, including the Department of Defense, and has substantial technical expertise. … Chris’s experience in driving innovation and adoption of solutions throughout manufacturing supply chains has helped connect the electronics industry and government.” – John W. Mitchell, IPC president and CEO and USPAE board member

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

EU Eyeing Total Ban on PFAS Chemicals: In anticipation of a potential EU ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), IPC is asking industry actors for information on uses of PFAS in your supply chains. Absent such information, regulators may conclude that a PFAS ban would have no impact on our industry, and supply chain disruptions are possible. Contact IPC’s Suhani Chitalia for more information; tune in to IPC’s presentation during this expert discussion next week; and stay tuned for an urgent call-to-action on this issue. 

EU Commission Seeks Comment on Taxonomy Criteria: The European Commission has opened a consultation period for a new set of EU Taxonomy criteria for economic activities that contribute to one or more environmental policy objectives, which may include electronics manufacturing. 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. 

Lead Metal Recommended for Authorization: On April 12, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published its final Recommendation for substances to be added to the Authorization List (Annex XIV) of the REACH regulation. Eight substances were on the Recommendation list, including lead (Pb) metal. This means that some uses of lead may need to be authorized for future applications, i.e., nonauthorized uses will not be allowed in the European Union. These uses may include lead in electronics and electrical equipment. It will be up to the Commission to determine possible exemptions and timelines for the authorization. IPC will continue to monitor policy developments. IPC contact: Kelly Scanlon. 

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. 

EU Institutions Reach Deal on European CHIPS ACT: Last week the EU Institutions reached a provisional political agreement on the European Chips Act, paving the way to a regional framework on the European semiconductor ecosystem and supply chain security. The proposal has been the subject of months-long negotiations with the European Parliament and European Council, and now it must be finalized, endorsed, and formally adopted by the parliament and the council. IPC welcomes the deal’s emphasis on strengthening Europe’s advanced packaging capability and its overall electronics manufacturing ecosystem. See our position on the initial draft legislation. Last week, IPC together with iMaps organized an executive meeting with EU policy representatives in Brussels, addressing the need for a long-term, silicon-to-systems approach to reinforcing Europe’s electronics manufacturing base. Read more in this IPC blog.  IPC Contact: Alison James. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

iNEMI Sustainable Electronics Meeting: The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI), a not-for-profit R&D consortium of leading electronics manufacturers and suppliers, is holding an online meeting on May 3 to discuss and consider PFAS policies and potential alternatives. IPC will be presenting particularly on regulatory happenings on PFAS policies and insight on how the electronics industry may be impacted. IPC Contact: Suhani Chitalia

IPC SummerCom: IPC SummerCom – coming up on May 13-18 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee – is all about IPC standards for reliable, high-quality electronics, which are at the heart of the modern economy. IPC members and friends gather to work on the standards and guidelines that are relied upon by thousands of companies, customers, suppliers, and competitors.

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, eco-design policies in the United States and European Union; per- 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

Spring Issue of IPC Community Now Available for Download: Don’t miss the Spring issue of IPC Community, now available for download. This quarterly publication was created with IPC members and industry in mind! In this issue, readers will find articles, interviews, columns, graphics, surveys, IPC member benefits, and so much more. Download a copy.  

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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