Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK 

• Webinar Recap: Tackling Circularity Challenges in Electronics Manufacturing

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• A $1.6 Billion Step Toward the “Silicon-to-Systems” Approach

UNITED STATES

• U.S. to Invest $1.6 Billion in Advanced Packaging R&D

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

• IPC and ITI Urge California DTSC to Reconsider Electronics in Draft Priority Product Work Plan

EUROPEAN UNION

• IPC’s Advocacy for a Comprehensive EU Electronics Manufacturing Strategy
• Electronics Manufacturing: The Achilles’ Heel of EU Strategic Autonomy

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

• Strategic Challenges in Building Up Domestic Electronics Capability

UPCOMING EVENTS

• IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Anaheim, California, USA (March 15-20, 2025)

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TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK

Webinar Recap: Tackling Circularity Challenges in Electronics Manufacturing: On July 17, IPC and iNEMI hosted an in-depth webinar recapping their recent workshop at the Electronics Goes Green conference in Berlin, focusing on the pressing circularity challenges in electronics manufacturing. Circularity, which involves recycling, refurbishing, and reusing materials to keep them at their highest value for as long as possible, is essential for sustainability. Key challenges identified include a lack of economic incentives, inadequate data, and the need for clear definitions. The webinar, featuring presentations by Kelly Scanlon, IPC’s lead sustainability strategist, and Mark Schaffer, project manager at iNEMI, covered industry-driven solutions such as new standards, better data, and educational resources to promote the adoption of circularity. To continue tackling these issues, IPC and iNEMI will form working groups focused on economic incentives, data challenges, and definitions, with the goal of proposing actionable solutions for 2025. Stay tuned for updates as we drive progress toward a more sustainable future in electronics manufacturing. Watch a recording of the webinar here. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“In passing the Chips Act, European policymakers made a strategic decision to bolster one segment of the electronics industry, even as other segments, including those for printed circuit board fabrication and electronic assembly, have continued to lose market share to well-resourced international competition. The less-than-comprehensive EU approach to electronics leaves Europe increasingly dependent on electronics produced abroad.” — Alison James, IPC Senior Director, Europe, on creating a robust electronics manufacturing sector for Europe’s industrial resilience, regional security, and technological progress. Read more in Euractiv.

UNITED STATES

U.S. to Invest $1.6 Billion in Advanced Packaging R&D: In another advocacy win for IPC and our allies, the Biden administration announced it is investing up to $1.6 billion in R&D for advanced packaging of semiconductors as part of the CHIPS for America program. The investment will drive R&D in five key areas and address the growing demand for advanced packaging driven by applications like artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and low-power electronics. According to IPC, citing Defense Department data, the U.S. currently accounts for only about 3% of global advanced packaging, with most of this work being done in Asia. In a New York Times story, IPC’s Chris Mitchell said, “Today’s announcement is another important step in the right direction.”Mitchell reacted to the announcement with additional commentary in an article by Fierce Electronics. IPC has advocated a “silicon-to-system" approach to the CHIPS Act, including not only chips but also adjacent technologies such as packaging and IC substrates, to ensure the resilience and security of the supply chain. Further details will be shared in an upcoming webinar on CHIPS.gov. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

IPC and ITI Urge California DTSC to Reconsider Electronics in Draft Priority Product Work Plan: IPC, with support from ITI, submitted a comment to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) concerning their draft three-year priority product work plan. The comment highlights the extensive existing regulations on electronics and chemicals, specifically PFAS and organohalogen flame retardants, arguing that additional focus on these areas is unnecessary and duplicative. IPC and ITI are urging DTSC to instead prioritize other product categories, emphasizing the already significant regulatory landscape governing electronics, which includes international and federal policies. Our organizations welcome further dialogue with DTSC on these comments and the broader regulatory efforts impacting the electronics industry. Read the comments submitted to the California DTSC here. IPC Contact: Kelly Scanlon.

EUROPEAN UNION

IPC’s Advocacy for a Comprehensive EU Electronics Manufacturing Strategy: IPC continues its advocacy for the European electronics manufacturing industry through a dedicated Industry Call to Action, supporting the sector “from silicon to systems.” This week, IPC and Acsiel held high-level meetings with European Commission Cabinets to discuss the Call and the findings of IPC’s recent industry study. Recently, IPC published a report in partnership with DECISION and IN4MA, titled “Securing the European Union’s Electronics Ecosystem,” which predicts further declines in Europe’s global market share and increasing risks to critical sectors such as aerospace and defense. Additionally, IPC issued a Call to Action with the support of over 30 companies and 15 trade associations, urging the adoption of an Electronics Manufacturing Strategy under the European Commission’s next five-year mandate. This strategy calls for investments and policies to reduce EU dependencies in semiconductors, health, and digital technologies, reflecting recent European Council conclusions. IPC invites everyone with an interest in EU electronics manufacturing to read IPC’s press release, review the report, and support the industry Call-to-Action. IPC Contact: Alison James

Electronics Manufacturing: The Achilles’ Heel of EU Strategic Autonomy: In a piece published in Euractiv, one of the most-read publications in Brussels, IPC’s Alison James, Senior Director Europe, emphasizes the critical need for Europe to bolster its electronics manufacturing sector to achieve industrial resilience, regional security, and technological progress. Despite the passage of the European Chips Act, Europe’s electronics industry remains heavily dependent on non-EU countries, risking strategic autonomy. She spotlights IPC’s new report titled Securing EU’s Electronics Ecosystem, which reveals a decline in Europe’s market share in electronics manufacturing and calls for a dedicated “Electronics Manufacturing Strategy” and a Strategic Electronics Manufacturing Act to strengthen the value chain and ensure global competitiveness. Read the story, and for more details on IPC’s work in the EU, visit www.ipc.org/EU. IPC Contact: Alison James.

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

Strategic Challenges in Building Domestic Electronics Manufacturing: As billions in strategic investments flow into the U.S. microelectronics industry, policymakers seem to face challenges in supporting the entire electronics supply chain. In a Q&A with SMT007 Magazine, IPC’s Chris Mitchell highlights the complexities in aligning government funding with industry needs. Despite the governments’ oft-stated understanding of our position and their eagerness to revive domestic manufacturing, they seem to face uphill battles to implement IPC’s holistic “silicon-to-systems” strategy. Mitchell emphasizes the need for the U.S. and all governments to help modernize facilities, foster trusted supply chains, invest in R&D, and expand the skilled workforce. He underscores the urgency of achieving strategic autonomy amid the risk of supply chain disruptions, noting the importance of government and industry collaboration in addressing current vulnerabilities and ensuring future competitiveness. Read the story in SMT007 Magazine. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

UPCOMING EVENTS

IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Anaheim, California, USA (March 15-20, 2025) – Discover the newest innovations and hear from the best minds in the electronics manufacturing industry. IPC APEX EXPO 2025 will be our industry’s largest event in North America featuring a world-class trade show, professional development courses taught by industry experts, non-stop networking and more. Learn more here.

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“Addressing this strategic vulnerability through meaningful investments in R&D brings the U.S. closer to the ultimate goal of building cutting-edge electronics from silicon to systems.” Chris Mitchell, IPC VP, global government relations,reacts to the U.S. Dept of Commerce Notice of Intent to open a $1.6 billion competition for new R&D activities for semiconductor advanced packaging in an article in Fierce Electronics.

“You’re at the epicenter of the electronics industry.” IPC’s Brian Knier explains why IPCAPEXEXPO is the place to participate in the cutting-edge world of electronics manufacturing in a video produced by FIXA MEDIA for Entrepreneur Media. Have you thought about your abstract for IPCAPEXEXPO 2025? Details on submissions can be found here: https://hubs.li/Q02GWXlr0.

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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