IPC Global Advocacy Report
5/26/2023

 

Dear IPC Members:

Your IPC Government Relations (GR) team is continuing to advocate for government policies to enhance the industry’s competitiveness and resilience.

Thanks to all electronics manufacturers who answered IPC’s urgent request to gather and share with IPC information on the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in your supply chains, in anticipation of a potential EU ban on the chemicals. As previously noted, there could be significant negative consequences if we cannot gather this data. More details are below.

Also IPC recently welcomed 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.

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 

  • IPC Reiterates Urgent Request to Members on PFAS Chemicals

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

  • IPC’s Suhani Chitalia on PFAS Regulations

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

  • Bipartisan Team Reintroduces IPC-Backed Bill to Boost the PCB Sector
  • IPC Co-Signs Joint Industry Statement on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence    

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

  • IPC Report Sees Manufacturing Pessimism, Continuing Inflation  

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Critical Environmental Requirements for Electronics, June 6
  • Wondering How to Make the Most of Your IPC Membership? We Can Help, June 7
  • Department of Commerce Webinar on EU Environmental Programs, June 8
  • Quarterly Economic Update and Market Outlook, June 27
  • On-Shoring Advanced Packaging and Assembly, July 10-12

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US


TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

IPC Issues Urgent Request to Members on PFAS Chemicals: In anticipation of a potential EU ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), IPC urgently called 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 can result in limited or no advocacy from IPC on behalf of industry. Ultimately, this can 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. Time is running out; please let us know ASAP if you can provide such data this summer. IPC Contact: Suhani Chitalia.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports, “Even with the EU’s proposed transition period, chipmakers and their suppliers will need to develop a whole new class of chemicals and overhaul production processes across multiple sectors. Many industry insiders think it is not possible in such a timeframe.”   


QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“At IPC, we encourage the electronics industry to examine their supply chain to better understand where PFAS exists, how it is used, what properties they are used for, and whether alternatives exist. Reporting PFAS usage and the possibility of bans is on the horizon, and the best way for the industry to respond is by preparing and providing policy makers with data and facts on PFAS use.”
–  IPC Environmental Regulatory Affairs Manager Suhani Chitalia in an IPC blog on PFAS Regulations: A Global Perspective.

 

ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH

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.

IPC Co-Signs Joint Industry Statement on CS3D: The Statement will be sent the European Parliament and Council highlighting a number of points in the CS3D including full harmonization, risk-based approach, regulating directors’ duties, legal liability, and clear guidance. The letter is co-signed by 36 associations at a pivotal moment as a Plenary vote is expected on June 1. To read the letter please visit here. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

 

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. 

Wondering How to Make the Most of Your IPC Membership? We Can Help: Virtual, June 7. In this free IPC webinar presented by Logan Smith, Member and Customer Support Team Lead, will show you how to navigate the membership website pages to access all your benefits and how to participate in all the activities that IPC membership has to offer. The webinar will cover getting started with IPC membership, access to free documents and courses, technical resources, and promoting your company to the industry.

Department of Commerce to Hold Webinar on EU Environmental Programs: Virtual, June 8 starting at 10:00am ET. In this webinar, review a number of policies including the new CE mark, RoHS, WEEE, PFAS and more. This information will be particularly relevant to US-based companies who export to the EU. For more information and registration, click here. 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.

On-Shoring Advanced Packaging and Assembly: Falls Church, VA, July 10-12. Bringing together government agencies, the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), and advanced packaging and assembly providers, this IPC/IMAPS workshop will focus on efforts to onshore advanced packaging and ways to address U.S. Government requirements related to microelectronics assembly. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

 

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

 

IPC joined 35 other co-signatories to submit a joint statement to the European Parliament and the Council to consider major points of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) including full harmonization, risk-based approach, regulating directors duties, legal liability, and clear guidance. This statement comes at a pivotal time as a plenary vote. The aim of the legislation is to encourage sustainable and responsible corporate behavior.

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.