Dear IPC Members: It’s time for your weekly five-minute update on current government policy actions that may affect our industry and your business. This week, we are welcoming the reintroduction of bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Congress that would help rebuild the United States’ printed circuit board (PCB) sector. See below for how you can support our PCB advocacy effort.

Also this week, in anticipation of a potential EU ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), IPC has issued an urgent request to all electronics manufacturers to gather and share with IPC information on the use of PFAS in your supply chains. There could be significant negative consequences if we cannot gather this data. Please let us know if you have any government-related questions or concerns. All the best,

Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• Bipartisan Team Reintroduces IPC-Backed Bill to Boost the PCB Sector

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• IPC’s John W. Mitchell on the New PCB Act in the U.S. Congress

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

• IPC Issues Urgent Request to Members on PFAS Chemicals
• IPC Calls on EU Institutions to Streamline Eco-Design Regs    

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

• IPC Report Sees Manufacturing Pessimism, Continuing Inflation 

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Critical Environmental Requirements for Electronics, June 6
• Quarterly Economic Update and Market Outlook, June 27
• On-Shoring Advanced Packaging and Assembly, July 10-12

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TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

Bipartisan Team Reintroduces IPC-Backed Bill to Boost the PCB Sector: IPC is welcoming the reintroduction of the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act (PCB Act) by Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA). This IPC-backed bill would incentivize purchases of domestically produced PCBs as well as support industry investments in factories, equipment, workforce training, and research and development. The legislation comes amid increasing attention to the electronics supply chain, including a “presidential determination” (PD) that PCBs are essential to national security. IPC is now working to secure $100 million in Fiscal 2024 appropriations to support the implementation of this PD. To strengthen our push on Capitol Hill, please let us know immediately if your company will sign on to this letter that will be sent later this month to key members of Congress. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“This bipartisan bill addresses well-known vulnerabilities in U.S. electronics manufacturing, taking a ‘silicon-to-systems’ approach that prioritizes greater innovation and resiliency across the entire industry. We thank Reps. Eshoo and Moore for their leadership, and we call on all Members of Congress to support this bill.” – IPC President and CEO John W. Mitchell on the reintroduction of a bill to boost the PCB sector in the United States, in a May 11 press release.

ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH

IPC Issues Urgent Request to Members on PFAS Chemicals: In anticipation of a potential EU ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), IPC is urgently calling on all electronics manufacturers to gather and share with us information on the use of PFAS in your supply chains. A lack of industry data will make it impossible for IPC to advocate for you, which could result in few or no exemptions to the PFAS restriction. Without exemptions, the industry could be forced to decide between withdrawing from the EU market or adopting PFAS alternatives in their products and processes. IPC Contact: Suhani Chitalia.

IPC Calls on EU Institutions to Streamline Eco-Design Regs: IPC and over a dozen other associations have submitted a joint statement to the European Parliament and European Council on the Eco-Design for Sustainable Product Regulation (ESPR), urging Europe to focus more tightly on environmental and climate-related goals. Industry encourages social sustainability policies to be addressed through other mechanisms to ensure consistent and non-conflicting policies. IPC Contact: Suhani Chitalia.

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

IPC Report Sees Manufacturing Pessimism, Continuing Inflation: According to the latest IPC Economic Outlook Report, while inflation remains stubbornly high, economic growth is slowing. U.S. manufacturing sentiment fell for the fifth consecutive month in April, and the base case scenario for the United States suggests a recession in the middle two quarters of the year. Overall, the U.S. economy should grow about 1.2 percent this year, but growth will be weak in the second half of the year. IPC Contact: Shawn DuBravac.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Critical Environmental Requirements for Electronics 2023: Virtual, June 6. 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 edition of this annual conference, where industry experts will discuss eco-design policies in the United States and European Union; per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulations; and more. IPC Contact: Suhani Chitalia. 

Quarterly Economic Update and Market Outlook: Virtual, June 27. In this free IPC webinar, get up to date on the latest economic developments and gain valuable insights from IPC Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac as he helps you navigate an uncertain economic landscape.

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IPC has issued an urgent request to all electronic manufacturers for data on PFAS in your supply chain. Please respond by May 19, 2023.		Stating in a recent LinkedIn post, "The New York Times today shines a light on the role of advanced packaging in driving innovation and manufacturing resiliency in the semiconductor industry," IPC Vice President, Global Government Relations, Chris Mitchell commented on the critical importance of bolstering an anemic U.S. packaging industry.

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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Contact one of us if you have any questions or insights to contribute.

See prior editions of Global Advocacy Report.

Explore our IPC Government Relations information online.