 Dear IPC Members,
Most weeks we have only one “top story;” this week we have two.
First, an impressive group of 49 industry executives joined IPC in urging Congress to invest in PCB manufacturing as they assemble the FY 2025 defense spending bill. In a letter to congressional appropriators, we stressed the importance of sustaining investments in defense electronics to avoid falling behind global competition. Read on below.
Second, the Biden administration published a memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, which we believe could someday cover parts of the electronics industry.
We also noticed The Washington Post’s special report on the workforce challenges of the semiconductor industry, which sound familiar to those in our industry – as do the most promising solutions.
If your company uses formaldehyde, mark your calendar for this Tuesday, May 7, at 12:00 noon Eastern time, when IPC will host a forum on the U.S. EPA Draft Risk Evaluation on Formaldehyde. The process could lead to new restrictions on the use of formaldehyde in our industry. Register now.
As always, we welcome your comments and questions.
All the best, |
Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations
The Headlines at a Glance:
TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK
- Electronics Industry Calls on Congress to Invest in PCB Industrial Base
- New U.S. Critical Infrastructure Plan Could Extend to Electronics Mfg.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
- Apprenticeships Work, and More Companies Should Offer Them
IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU
- Join IPC Impact Day in D.C., May 14-15; Help Shape Policy for Our Industry
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
- IPC Convening Urgent Forum on Formaldehyde Use
- Japan Updates Priority Assessment Chemical Substances List
- Vietnam Seeks Public Input on Chemicals Law Amendment
UPCOMING EVENTS
- IPC Forum on Formaldehyde
- IPC Impact Day: Washington, D.C., May 14-15
- Women Reshaping the Engineering Landscape (Webinar), June 24
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US
TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK
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Electronics Industry Calls on Congress to Invest in PCB Industrial Base: In a letter sent this week to Congress signed by 49 industry executives, IPC highlights the risk of falling behind in global competition if the United States fails to bolster its PCB manufacturing capabilities. As the U.S. Congress approaches decisions on FY 2025 spending allocations, the electronics industry is concerned about the possible elimination of Defense Production Act funding for PCBs and advanced packaging. As you know from reading this newsletter, IPC and its partners secured a “Presidential Determination” that PCBs are a critical defense industrial base need and thus qualify for U.S. Government investment under the Defense Production Act. But future funding for that purpose is zeroed out in the president’s FY25 budget request. IPC Blog post, my colleague Rich Cappetto delves deeper, tracing the progress made over the last 18 months and the need to keep the momentum going. If this issue interests you, please consider joining us for IPC Impact Day in Washington, May 14-15. (See below.) IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.
New U.S. Critical Infrastructure Plan Could Extend to Electronics Mfg: This week, the White House National Security Council (NSC) published a National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience listing actions to secure U.S. infrastructure. The memo charges federal, state, and local government actors with adopting risk-based security and resilience standards, and it directs further analysis of potential supply chain shocks. IPC welcomes these actions, which cover 16 Designated Critical Infrastructure Sectors and could someday cover electronics manufacturing. In 2022, the Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security issued a joint assessment of the supply chain for Information and Communications Technology, and they ended up recommending federal investments in domestic PCB manufacturing due to a critical shortage in capabilities and capacities. Further, in 2023, President Biden issued a Presidential Determination calling for Defense Production Act investment in PCB manufacturing. Given the core function of printed circuit boards and electronic interconnect technology in every electronic system, IPC believes the state of the domestic electronics industrial base could rise to the level of a systemic or cross-sector risk in forthcoming risk assessments. IPC stands ready to assist; in addition to technical expertise and insights, IPC offers an active, consensus-based “Trusted Supplier” standard, IPC-1791, as well as an up-to-date plan for our industry’s workforce needs. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
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“What became clear to us in Phoenix is that the ideal training model in the semiconductor industry is apprenticeships. We saw how effective ‘earn while you learn’ can be when we visited Arizona’s construction trade unions. … Every company should be doing apprenticeships.”
–– From a Washington Post special report on the workforce challenges facing the semiconductor industry. With more than two-thirds of our members facing similar issues, IPC is upping our investment in developing more career pathways. Learn more about IPC’s Apprenticeships programs. |
IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU
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Join IPC Impact Day in D.C., May 14-15, Help Shape Policy for Our Industry: The U.S. Congress and the Biden Administration are actively shaping policies that are crucial to our sector, including decisions on investments in domestic PCBs and advanced packaging; incentives in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for training and certification; and implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act. At this critical juncture, we invite your participation in advocating for our industry's interests. Please join us and help bring the industry’s voice to Capitol Hill for IPC Impact Day, May 14 and 15. This event is a unique opportunity for you to engage with your elected officials, Executive Branch policymakers, and industry peers. Attendees will enjoy an opening dinner and networking reception, breakfast with a briefing on the key issues, meetings with Congressional Leadership, a luncheon with a special guest speaker, private Congressional meetings, and a closing happy hour. Register now to secure your place as an influential leader in electronics industry advocacy. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
IPC Convening Forum on Formaldehyde Use: If your company uses formaldehyde, mark your calendar for Tuesday, May 7, at 12:00 noon Eastern time, when IPC will host a forum on the pending U.S. EPA Draft Risk Evaluation on Formaldehyde. The draft risk evaluation notes the chemical’s use in our industry may contribute to unreasonable risk to workers via dermal and inhalation routes, and the process could lead to new restrictions. IPC Chief Sustainability Strategist Dr. Kelly Scanlon will be joined by Bret Bruhn, Senior North American Environmental Operations Manager for TTM, to discuss the Draft Risk Evaluation, which is open for public review and comment until May 14. Your feedback will help inform whether IPC should contribute information to the EPA on this topic. Register now. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
Japan Updates Priority Assessment Chemical Substances List: In April, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) released the latest update to the Priority Assessment Chemical Substances List, designating 12 more chemicals as Priority Assessment Chemical Substances (PACs) and removing five others. PACs are regulated under the Japan Chemical Substance Control Law (CSCL) due to their potential risks to human health or the environment. Manufacturers and importers of PACs are required to submit an annual report and provide additional hazard data as needed. If this impacts your company’s operations, learn more. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
Vietnam Seeks Public Input on Chemicals Law Amendment: In March, the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) finalized a draft amendment to the Law on Chemicals (06/2007/QH12), and it is now seeking public feedback. The draft will be submitted to the government in June and then to the 15th National Assembly for review in October. The Law on Chemicals, effective since July 2008, regulates chemical-related activities, including the rights and obligations of entities involved. MOIT’s draft amendment maintains key policies of the original law while expanding its scope to include regulations on chemicals in development and chemicals in products. It clarifies definitions and specifies chemical activities, aiming to align with international standards and attract foreign investment. If this impacts your company’s operations, learn more and prepare to submit your feedback. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.
UPCOMING EVENTS
IPC Forum on Formaldehyde: Webinar, May 7, 12:00 noon EDT: IPC will host a forum on the pending U.S. EPA Draft Risk Evaluation on Formaldehyde, which is open for public review and comment until May 14. IPC Chief Sustainability Strategist Dr. Kelly Scanlon will be joined by Bret Bruhn, Senior North American Environmental Operations Manager for TTM, to discuss the Draft Risk Evaluation and whether IPC should contribute information to the EPA on this topic. Register today.
IPC Impact Day: Washington, D.C., May 14-15: Join us for IPC Impact Day to shape policy for the electronics industry. Engage with elected officials, policymakers, and industry peers during this unique event, featuring networking receptions, key issue briefings, meetings with Congressional Leadership, a special guest speaker luncheon, and much more. Register today!
Bold Breakthroughs: Women Reshaping the Engineering Landscape: Webinar, June 24, 10:00-11:00 am EDT: Join IPC for this special virtual event in celebration of International Women in Engineering Day. This event will shine a spotlight on the incredible women in the electronics industry who are breaking barriers, making bold breakthroughs, and paving the way for future generations. Led by IPC’s Teresa Rowe, Senior Director of Assembly & Standards Technology, panelists include nine extraordinary women from nine different countries. Register today for FREE!
PLEASE "LIKE" AND "SHARE" OUR LINKEDIN POSTS
“If Congress passes an FY2025 budget without meaningful investments in U.S. PCB manufacturers, the electronics industry will have rallied in support only to see investment in its core capabilities pass it by.” IPC’s Richard Cappetto, senior director of North American government relations, sounds the alarm about the proposed U.S. FY25 budget, explaining why 49 electronics industry executives signed a letter to Congress urging them to sustain current investments in the defense electronics industrial base. |
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“We love to have young people in the company – they give a lot of energy to us.” Robert Helleday, head of R&D, Mycronic, talks to IPC’s Kelly Scanlon, lead sustainability strategist, about Mycronic’s approach to addressing sustainability challenges by diversifying the workforce with multi-geographical training programs designed to encourage students, particularly women, to consider careers in engineering. |
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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