Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• IPC Members Advocate for Industry Policies at IPC Impact Day in DC

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• On the Win-Win Nature of Apprenticeships Programs in One Company

DEFENSE & NATIONAL SECURITY 

• IPC and USPAE Host Workshop to Strengthen U.S. IC Substrate Manufacturing
• Electronics Industry Calls on Congress to Invest in PCB Industrial Base
• New U.S. Critical Infrastructure Plan Could Extend to Electronics Manufacturing

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE

• IPC Appeals to Potential Young Apprentices in Baltimore

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

• IPC Evaluating Potential Impact of New U.S. EPA Rule on Methylene Chloride
• Japan Updates Priority Assessment Chemical Substances List
• Vietnam Seeks Public Input on Chemicals Law Amendment

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Electronics Goes Green: Berlin, Germany, June 18-20
• Women Reshaping the Engineering Landscape: Webinar, June 24
• Chemical Management for Electronics USA: Boston, Mass. and Virtual, June 24-25

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TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

IPC Members Advocate for Industry Policies at IPC Impact Day in DC : Leaders of IPC member companies gathered in Washington, DC this week for IPC Impact Day, engaging with federal officials on crucial industry policies. For example, we urged Congress to fund the Presidential Determination on PCBs; take up H.R. 3249, the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act; support incentives for workforce training and industry certifications; and implement a "Silicon-to-Systems" approach to the CHIPS Act. Attendees from a half-dozen companies represented the interests of the electronics manufacturing industry and made our collective voices heard. Read more in this IPC Blog. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“You need to hire people anyway. Since each state has financial incentive programs for hiring registered apprentices, why not recoup some of your costs and increase your chances of retaining long-term employees? It’s a win-win situation." —  Stephanie Austin, Marketing Director of Zentech, on how her company is leveraging IPC’s apprenticeship standards to build a long-term talent pipeline. Follow the link in this LinkedIn post to read a longer interview with Stephanie in IPC Community.

DEFENSE AND NATIONAL SECURITY

Washington Workshop on IC Substrates Draws Defense, Civilian Leaders: On Thursday, IPC and the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) jointly convened a workshop in Washington, DC on how to bolster U.S. integrated circuit (IC) substrate capabilities. This event gathered key government and electronics industry leaders to advance a Department of Defense-funded project aimed at addressing the nation's deficiencies in IC substrate manufacturing. The project was awarded to a USPAE/IPC team in October, and a final study is due to DoD in June. Panel discussions and breakout groups tackled critical areas such as technology, standards, workforce development, and financial competitiveness. Speakers included industry experts from IPC and USPAE, as well as Molly Just-Behr, director of DoD’s CHIPS Coordination Cell; Dr. Korine Duval, microelectronics sector lead for the DoD Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Office (IBAS); Matt McQueen, chief engineer for printed circuit technology at the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Indiana; and Dr. George Orji, deputy director of the CHIPS National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP). IPC Contact: Joe O’Neil.

Electronics Industry Calls on Congress to Invest in PCB Industrial Base: In a letter signed by 49 industry executives and sent to Congress, IPC highlighted the risk of falling behind global rivals 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. Last year, 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. In an IPC Blog post, Rich Cappetto, IPC Senior Director, North American Government Relations, traces the progress that has been made over the last 18 months and underscores the need to keep the momentum going. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

New U.S. Critical Infrastructure Plan Could Extend to Electronics Manufacturing: Late last month, 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, 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.

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE

IPC Appeals to Potential Young Apprentices in Baltimore: During National Youth Apprenticeship Week last week, IPC and friends participated in a Career Expo hosted by Baltimore County Public Schools at Community College of Baltimore County. We promoted careers in electronics manufacturing, talked to many students, and made connections with county and state officials about bringing IPCs credentialing and education opportunities into more schools. Kudos to our partners Zentech Manufacturing and Institute for American Apprenticeships at Vermont HITEC Inc. for joining us. Check out the photos and “color commentary” on LinkedIn, and let us know if you want to help IPC inspire our youth by exposing them to career opportunities in our industry! IPC Contact: Cory Blaylock.

IPC Evaluating Potential Impact of New U.S. EPA Rule on Methylene Chloride: The U.S. EPA recently finalized a risk management rule for methylene chloride under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The rule seeks to ban all consumer and most commercial and industrial uses of methylene chloride, including uses in electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing. The applications that EPA is allowing to continue will be subject to new mandates under a Workplace Chemical Protection Program. IPC is currently working to understand the potential impacts of this rule on the electronics manufacturing industry. IPC members are encouraged to read the final rule and get involved in upcoming stakeholder engagement opportunities to learn more, stay informed, and be prepared. 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

Electronics Goes Green: Berlin, Germany, June 18-20: IPC is a proud sponsor of Electronics Goes Green 2024, From Silicon to Sustainability. This global event features researchers, policymakers, and industry players dedicated to driving sustainability in electronics and in-circuit testing. Featured topics include environmental effects of mature, as well as emerging technologies and materials; life cycle assessment (data) of specific electronic components; LCA data management along the supply chain; fair, clean, and conflict-free electronics; and circular economy strategies. 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!

Chemical Management for Electronics USA: Boston, Mass. and Virtual, June 24-25; What is the risk evaluation and management status of high-priority chemicals relevant to electronics manufacturers? Kelly Scanlon, IPC’s lead sustainability strategist, will provide details in her presentation, “Where TSCA and Electronics Manufacturing Intersect: The Essential Voice of Industry,” on June 24. IPC sponsors this two-day conference focusing on the complex and changing landscape of chemicals management for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) in the United States and beyond. IPC members, use code IPC15 for a 15% discount when registering.

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Making an impact in DC! Electronics industry executives met yesterday in DC for IPC Impact Day, a round of meetings with federal officials to urge action on policies affecting the industry. Topics covered included investments in domestic PCBs, advanced packaging, incentives for workforce training and industry certifications, and CHIPS and Science Act implementations.

As part of Youth Apprenticeship Week, Darryl Graves, Production Manager at Zentech Manufacturing, Rebecca Hollister from the Institute for American Apprenticeships at Vermont HITEC, Inc. and Richard Cappetto from IPC participated in a Career Expo hosted by Baltimore County Public Schools at Community College of Baltimore County.

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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