Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• What President Biden's FY2025 Budget Proposal Means for the Electronics Industry

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• On Partnerships to Build a Workforce Pipeline

TECHNOLOGY 

• Another Cosponsor Signs on to the PCB Act
• President Biden’s Address Touches on Issues of Importance to Electronics Manufacturing

EUROPEAN DEFENCE & SECURITY 

• European Commission Unveils Groundbreaking "Defence Industrial Strategy"

WORKFORCE 

• IPC Applauds Biden Executive Order on Apprenticeships

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

• SEC Adopts New Rules on Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors
• ECHA’s Call for Industry Feedback on Flame Retardants May Impact REACH Regulations
• Express Your Interest in No-Cost Chemical Management Training
• Japan Seeks Public Input on Designating PFOA Compounds as Hazardous

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Navigating Plastics Use and Management in the Electronics Value Chain (Webinar), March 27
• IPC APEX EXPO 2024, April 6-11

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TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

What President Biden's FY2025 Budget Proposal Means for the Electronics Industry: On the heels of his State of the Union Address last week, U.S. President Joe Biden released his budget for fiscal year 2025 on Monday. IPC applauds certain aspects of the budget, particularly the increased investment of $1.4 billion for STEM education and workforce development, and the $50 million increase in apprenticeship funding, crucial for nurturing talent in our industry. While we also welcome the boost in funding for industry-relevant agencies like the Department of Commerce and the National Science Foundation, we stress the importance of ensuring these investments align with a holistic “silicon-to-systems” approach. Not as welcome: We are concerned by proposed tax increases on corporations, as it could hinder growth and efforts to reshore domestic manufacturing capabilities. Meanwhile, we are awaiting further details about the Department of Defense budget request, particularly concerning the significant cut to Defense Production Act Purchases for FY25, which could jeopardize the progress made in bolstering domestic defense electronics manufacturing. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The electronics industry is doing our part to build a workforce pipeline, but we cannot bear the load alone. We need more and better partnerships with government and the education community to meet the workforce challenge.” – Chris Mitchell, IPC Vice President of Global Government Relations, reflecting on the State of the Union address, and key takeaways from an IPC perspective. Read more on the IPC Blog.

TECHNOLOGY

Another Cosponsor Signs on to the PCB Act: U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY) last week joined on as the ninth cosponsor of H.R. 3249, the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act. Rep. Williams represents a district that includes Syracuse, New York and which is home to several IPC member sites. He serves on three important committees including the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Committee on Education and Workforce, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. We’re pleased that Congressman Williams has joined on in support of the bill and look forward to engaging with his office on building a robust electronics ecosystem in North America. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

President Biden’s Address Touches on Issues of Importance to Electronics Manufacturing: In his State of the Union address, President Biden touched on several key issues impacting the electronics manufacturing industry, from the CHIPS program to Buy American policies, and workforce education. In response, IPC underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to the electronics supply chain, emphasizing collaboration and resilience. Regarding the president’s call for industry to do more on workforce education and training, IPC is already doing it, and we would welcome more government. Stay engaged with IPC as we continue to advocate for the interests of the global electronics manufacturing community. Read IPC’s key takeaways on the IPC Blog, or read the complete transcript of the address. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

EUROPEAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY

European Commission Unveils Groundbreaking "Defence Industrial Strategy": The European Commission last week introduced a proposal for the EU's first-ever Defence Industrial Strategy. In its statement, the European Commission noted that the Defence Industrial Strategy “sets a clear, long-term vision to achieve defence industrial readiness in the European Union,” noting that increasing readiness requires member states to “invest more, better, together and European.” Accompanying the strategy is a legislative proposal for the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) and a framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products. The overarching goal of the strategy is to cultivate predictability in demand, foster economies of scale, and fortify the industrial base. IPC is actively evaluating this development and welcomes opportunities to enhance defence electronics manufacturing in Europe. IPC Contact: Alison James.

WORKFORCE

IPC Applauds Biden Executive Order on Apprenticeships: As the largest workforce education provider for the electronics manufacturing industry, IPC applauds U.S. President Joe Biden’s new Executive Order aimed at expanding apprenticeships across the United States. The order directs the federal government to expand apprenticeships within its own ranks and encourage industry to do the same through procurement and grant incentives. The action follows the U.S. Department of Labor’s approval last November of IPC’s National Program Standards of Apprenticeship – the first-ever in the U.S. electronics manufacturing industry. Closing the workforce gap with speed and scale is essential for the electronics manufacturing industry, where tens of thousands of new workers will be needed over the next decade. Watch for additional IPC action in this area, coming soon. Check out the White House fact sheet. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

SEC Adopts New Rules on Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors: On March 6, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the adoption of new rules aimed at enhancing and standardizing climate-related disclosures for public companies and in public offerings. The SEC said the regulation responds to investor demand for more consistent, comparable, and reliable information about the financial impacts of climate-related risks and how companies manage them. Under the regulation, registrants will be required to disclose climate-related risks, mitigation activities, and impacts on financial estimates and assumptions. The SEC considered over 24,000 comment letters before finalizing these rules, which will become effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Compliance dates will be phased in. For a better understanding of how these rules may affect your company, see the detailed comments provided by SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw. IPC invites you to tell us how this rule will affect your operations. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

Express Your Interest in No-Cost Chemical Management Training: The Clean Electronics Product Network (CEPN) is seeking electronics brands and suppliers to participate in free in-person or virtual beta testing of chemical safety training for workers and management in electronics manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and Malaysia. Today is the deadline to submit letters of interest. IPC members may learn more about this opportunity and express their interest or ask questions by contacting CEPN. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

ECHA’s Call for Industry Feedback on Flame Retardants May Impact REACH Regulations: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is requesting comments and evidence about the uses of aromatic brominated flame retardants. The information will be used to support a decision on whether ECHA will prepare a restriction dossier for these chemicals under the REACH Regulation. The ECHA is interested in contributions from manufacturers, suppliers, downstream users, importers, and alternative suppliers. Participation from the electronics manufacturing industry is crucial to demonstrate the uses, availability of alternatives, and actual volumes of aromatic brominated flame retardants used in products. The deadline for input is May 4. IPC Contact:  Kelly Scanlon.

Navigating Plastics Use and Management in the Electronics Value Chain (Webinar): March 27, 12:00-1:00 pm EDT. Join IPC and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) for an insightful webinar on navigating plastics use and management in the electronics value chain. With experts from the U.S. State Department and Beveridge & Diamond, this event will delve into environmental and regulatory considerations, global treaties, and implications for product design and manufacturing practices. 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. APEX 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 TODAY for a 20% discount!

PLEASE "LIKE" AND "SHARE" OUR LINKEDIN POSTS

		Op-ed in Defense News by John W. Mitchell, IPC president and CEO, Travis Kelly, Chairman, Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA), and Nathan Edwards, executive director, USPAE, calls for Congress to adopt the House-passed funding level of approximately $618 million for the Defense Production Act and $1.08 billion for the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program.
"Just as the government is underwriting the future of the semiconductor industry in places like Arizona and Ohio through the CHIPS Act, so too must the government commit to making the next generation of printed circuit boards and integrated circuit substrates in the United States.”

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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