Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• Pentagon Releases First-Ever U.S. National Defense Industrial Strategy

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• U.S. Defense Official on the Urgency of Rebuilding the Industrial Base

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

• 2023 Was a Landmark Year for IPC in Government Policy

UNITED STATES

• House Panel Calls for a “Reset” of U.S.-China Tech Relations
• IPC Applauds $46M Grant for IC Substrates and Advanced Packaging

EUROPEAN UNION

• Belgium Takes Over EU Presidency
• IPC Continues Push to Reduce Reporting Burden for EU Manufacturers

ENVIRONMENT AND HEATH

• European Commission Proposes Streamlined Chemical Assessments
• EU Institutions Act on Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
• EU Maintains Status Quo on Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive

UPCOMING EVENTS

• IPC WinterCom 2024, Jan. 22-25
• WHMA Global Leadership Summit, Feb. 13-15
• IPC APEX EXPO 2024, April 6-11

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KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

Pentagon Releases First-Ever U.S. National Defense Industrial Strategy: The U.S. Department of Defense on Jan. 11 issued its first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS), outlining a five-year roadmap centered on enhancing Resilient Supply Chains, Workforce Readiness, Flexible Acquisition, and Economic Deterrence. The strategy resonates with IPC's advocacy for a strengthened electronics industry, particularly in fostering resilient supply chains and a skilled workforce, especially in light of the objectives of the CHIPS and Science Act. While sector-specific recommendations were not included, upcoming implementation plans are expected to detail further actions. IPC has been advocating for a “silicon-to-systems” approach to strengthening the electronics supply chain, and the DoD strategy acknowledges the need to collaborate with industry, send clear market signals, and work in partnership with U.S. allies. Read more and access the strategy via this IPC Blog. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We can’t afford to wait. We have seen over the last few years the importance of why we need resilient supply chains ... the importance not just to us domestically, but also for our close allies and partners. We think the time for action is now.” – U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy Dr. Laura D. Taylor-Kale, on the release of a new National Defense Industrial Strategy.

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

2023 Was a Landmark Year for IPC in Government Policy: In the spirit of reflecting on the year just passed and looking ahead to the new year, we think 2023 was one of IPC’s most successful years ever in terms of having a positive impact in the halls of government. Government bodies in the U.S. and Europe responded to our call for a “silicon-to-systems” approach to supporting the electronics sector, and numerous IPC members launched new investments in advanced technologies with government encouragement and funding. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) approved IPC’s National Program Standards of Apprenticeship. And IPC led the way on understanding the sustainability challenges facing our sector. Read more on the IPC Blog. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

UNITED STATES

House Panel Calls for a “Reset” of U.S.-China Tech Relations: A U.S. House panel recently released nearly 150 bipartisan policy recommendations aiming to "reset" the U.S.-China economic relationship and technological competition. The recommendations focus on mitigating national security risks and ensuring U.S. technological competitiveness by reducing reliance on Chinese technologies and supply chains, particularly in the electronics industry. The panel advocates for bolstering U.S. manufacturing capabilities in areas including printed circuit boards (PCBs) and emphasizes the importance of a skilled workforce. IPC supports the move towards reinforcing North American supply chains and developing domestic capabilities while maintaining a commitment to free and fair global trade, competition, and reliability standards. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

IPC Applauds $46M Grant to IPC Member GreenSource for IC Substrates and Advanced Packaging: IPC congratulates GreenSource Fabrication LLC upon receiving a $46.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance U.S. capabilities in integrated circuit (IC) substrate fabrication and advanced packaging. The grant is one in a series of investments by the DoD aimed at reinforcing the domestic electronics supply chain, with more anticipated in the coming months. IPC has been actively collaborating with DoD and industry partners to advocate for the expansion of U.S. advanced packaging capabilities, including IC substrate fabrication. Learn more about IPC’s work on advanced packaging. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

EUROPEAN UNION

Belgium Takes Over EU Presidency: Belgium has assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2024, from January 1 to June 30. For its 6-month mandate, industrial competitiveness will continue to be an essential theme. Under its mandate in the Council, the Belgian Presidency will address topics including economic security, reducing harmful dependencies, and promoting critical technologies. With 2024 as a year of political change in the European Union, IPC will be continuing to work with the EU Institutions to highlight the critical importance of bolstering Europe’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem from silicon to system. IPC members are encouraged to read about the priorities of the Belgian presidency. IPC Contact: Alison James.

IPC Continues Push to Reduce Reporting Burden for EU Manufacturers: IPC recently reiterated the importance of reducing reporting burdens on electronics manufacturers in the European Union. The statement followed IPC’s submission of feedback to the European Commission’s Industrial Forum last spring, which responded to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the EU reporting requirements that cause the most administrative burden. IPC will continue to engage with the European Commission to support its goal to reduce reporting requirements by 25%. IPC Contact: Alison James.

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

European Commission Proposes Streamlined Chemical Assessments: The European Commission is reviewing three legislative proposals aimed at reforming chemical assessments across the EU. The "One Substance, One Assessment" initiative seeks to create more efficient, consistent, and transparent processes by redistributing tasks among the European Chemicals Agency, European Food Safety Authority, European Environment Agency, and European Medicines Agency. The proposals include the establishment of a Common Data Platform for chemicals information; the systematic collection of human biomonitoring data; and the implementation of a framework for early detection of chemical risks like PFAS. The proposals are part of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and are within the framework of the EU's zero pollution goal outlined in the European Green Deal. They will now be reviewed by the European Parliament and the European Council. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EU Institutions Act on Sustainability Due Diligence Directive: The European Parliament, together with the Council of the EU, has provisionally agreed on the definitive wording of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D). The directive introduces rigorous obligations for companies to follow in identifying, forestalling, diminishing, and rectifying both direct and potential adverse effects on human rights and the environment that may stem from their own activities, those of their subsidiaries, or those that occur within their value chain. The landmark agreement is on track to be formally adopted in early 2024, after which EU Member States will have a two-year period to adopt the provisions in national legislation. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EU Maintains Status Quo on Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive: In its concluding report on the evaluation of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive, the European Commission has determined that an immediate update to this benchmark regulation is unwarranted at this time. Responsibility for the technical scrutiny of applications for exemptions, as well as the groundwork for incorporating new substances under the directive’s scope, will be transitioning to the authority of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). In response to this development, IPC is mobilizing its Environment & Health Strategic Management Team to conduct an in-depth analysis of the report’s primary conclusions. Our review will aim to illuminate the implications for the electronics industry and guide compliance strategies. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

IPC WinterCom 2024: Barcelona, Spain, Jan. 22-25. A new event to support IPC standards development committees in face-to-face sessions, WinterCom 2024 will convene colleagues from around the globe for a week of meetings. The event is free to both IPC members and non-members with an interest in IPC standards development. Register today!

WHMA Annual Global Leadership Summit: Myrtle Beach, S.C., Feb. 13-15. Formerly the WHMA Annual Conference, the WHMA's Annual Global Leadership Summit is a networking event for executives representing wire harness manufacturers, OEMs, and suppliers for companies that build wiring harnesses and cable assemblies. Register today!

IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Anaheim, Calif., April 6-11. The largest electronics manufacturing event in North America, APEX features the newest innovations and the best minds in the industry. IPC APEX EXPO 2024 will also host the Electronic Circuits World Convention 16, an international PCB symposium held every three years, featuring the latest information on global PCB demand, PCB manufacturing processes, and promoting the domestic PCB industry in every country and every region. Register by March 1 for a 20% discount!

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CES in Las Vegas is like the Super Bowl for tech enthusiasts, and in 2024, e-Mobility is stealing the show. Picture this: 250+ auto giants like Mercedes, BMW, and Honda flaunting the coolest EVs and self-driving wonders. One big takeaway this year is that electronics now rule the road by making up a BIG 55% of an EV's bill of materials. Unfortunately for engines, they are being replaced by sleek battery packs managed by a fancy Battery Management System. Cameras, radar, and lidar are doing incredible work and turning cars into high-tech wonders with advanced assistance systems.		Kudos to Jinman Han of Samsung Semiconductor for reminding everyone that more advanced semiconductor chips need more “advanced packaging” to function, and that means advanced IC substrates, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and the entire electronics manufacturing ecosystem, including high-skilled workers.   Advanced electronics don’t run solely on silicon chips. Unless government and industry take a “silicon-to-systems” approach, the growing supply of silicon fabricated in CHIPS-funded factories will still need to be shipped overseas to be packaged and assembled into final products in Asia, where robust electronics manufacturing ecosystems do exist.

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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