 Dear IPC Members,
In Washington, August remains relatively quiet while members of Congress are working in their home states and districts. If your company is involved in building electronics that end up in defense applications, we encourage you to contact your members of Congress in support of the FY25 defense spending bill, which includes several IPC-sought provisions that would bolster the electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Learn more below.
Meanwhile, we’re continuing to grow our audience for the new IPC Government Relations in Europe page on LinkedIn. This is where we’ll be publishing industry data, event information, and policy advocacy news from Brussels and beyond, including how you can make a difference. If you haven’t already, please follow us and get involved!
As always, we value your feedback and questions. |
Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations
The Headlines at a Glance:
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
- The Benefits of Workforce Development Training in Electronics Manufacturing
UNITED STATES
- U.S. Defense Bills with Pro-Electronics Language Move Forward
- U.S. Gov’t Issues New Guidance on Mitigating Export Diversion Risks
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Building Electronics Sustainably: Unique Challenges Facing the Electronics Manufacturing Industry – Webinar (August 28, 2024)
- Demystifying the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) for the Electronics Manufacturing Industry – Webinar (September 11, 2024)
- IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Anaheim, California, USA (March 15-20, 2025)
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I’m fully on board with the idea that workforce development training is your secret weapon. There is no question that by investing in your team’s growth, you’re not just enhancing productivity but also building a culture of innovation and adaptability. Whether it’s upskilling or reskilling, giving your employees the tools they need today ensures they’ll be ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. It’s a win-win for all parties, and IPC knows that workforce training programs will help with learning to not just meet but exceed organizational goals."
— Dr. John W. Mitchell, IPC President & CEO, in a LinkedIn post about the benefits of workforce development training in electronics manufacturing. |
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UNITED STATES
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U.S. Defense Bills with Pro-Electronics Language Move Forward: IPC is applauding the work of the U.S. House and Senate Armed Services Committees and the Senate Appropriations Committee for advancing key legislation before heading home for their August work period. These bills include IPC-sought provisions that would strengthen the electronics ecosystem. Recently, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its Defense Appropriations Bill for FY2025, which includes a $500 million increase over the President’s budget request for Defense Production Act (DPA) investments, including $45 million for printed circuit board manufacturing. Earlier this year, IPC and the PCBAA submitted a letter signed by 49 industry executives urging increases in DPA funding to support the U.S. PCB industry. IPC also convened an “IMPACT Day” in Washington in May, during which IPC members visited more than 14 congressional offices to press for this funding. IPC also endorsed a defense investment plan offered by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), which called for an additional $300 million in FY25 investments in defense technologies including microelectronics, with additional funding in future years. The other bills, the House and Senate versions of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), would require the Pentagon to update Congress on its efforts to close the manufacturing gap for PCBs and to implement a trusted supply chain standard like IPC-1791. IPC is urging final passage of these bills when Congress returns to DC in September. In the meantime, IPC encourages you to take advantage of the August recess and send emails, make phone calls, or meet with your elected officials at their local offices or at public events. Even better, invite an elected official to one of your facilities. IPC’s GR team can help arrange meetings or facility tours and provide you with talking points and handouts. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.
U.S. Gov’t Issues New Guidance on Mitigating Export Diversion Risks: The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has released new guidance designed to help industry and academia prevent export diversions to countries or entities of concern. The guidance informs stakeholders about potential risks beyond those on public screening lists, such as the Entity List. It also introduces a recommended best practice for screening transaction parties using the online resources of the Trade Integrity Project, which identifies third-country suppliers who export Common High Priority List items to Russia. For IPC members, this may mean an urgent need to enhance screening processes; adopt additional due diligence measures; strengthen training and compliance programs; and seek closer collaboration with BIS and other industry stakeholders. By implementing these practices, members can better protect their operations, maintain regulatory compliance, and contribute to national security. Read more in the BIS press release, and let us know if this affects you. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Building Electronics Sustainably: Unique Challenges Facing the Electronics Manufacturing Industry – Webinar (August 28, 2024, 12:00 PM EDT) – Join IPC for a discussion led by Dr. Kelly Scanlon, IPC's lead sustainability strategist, focusing on the sustainability challenges within the electronics manufacturing supply chain. This webinar will explore how reliable, accurate, and secure data can empower designers and manufacturers to overcome these challenges and achieve their sustainability goals. Attendees will learn to identify key sustainability issues, understand the central role of data, and brainstorm solutions to data-related challenges. Don't miss this chance to contribute to a more sustainable future in electronics manufacturing and get a preview of the upcoming special session at ACLCA 2024. Register for FREE here.
Demystifying the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) for the Electronics Manufacturing Industry (September 11, 2024, 10:00 AM CDT) – Join IPC, ITI, and Anthesis Group for an in-depth webinar that clarifies the complexities of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). This directive introduces legal obligations for businesses to respect human rights and environmental standards across their global value chains. The session will cover the scope and applicability of the CSDDD, offering insights into how companies can ensure their value chain actors adhere to these standards and implement good governance practices. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain critical insights from industry experts and ensure your business is prepared to meet these new requirements. Register for FREE here.
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.
PLEASE "LIKE" AND "SHARE" OUR LINKEDIN POSTS
U.S. Policy News: We're making good progress on our issues in Washington, where the Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved a bill with IPC-supported provisions.
The FY25 defense spending bill includes a $500 million increase in Defense Production Act (DPA) investments, including $45 million for printed circuit board manufacturing. Meanwhile, the House and Senate versions of the annual defense authorization act also include IPC-backed provisions.
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Save your spot for the ACLCA Webinar: Building Electronics Sustainably: Unique Challenges Facing the Electronics Manufacturing Industry.
On August 28th, join Dr. Kelly Scanlon, IPC's lead sustainability strategist, for the beginning of a conversation about the electronics industry’s challenges and how reliable, accurate, and protected data can enable designers and manufacturers to overcome these challenges and achieve their sustainability goals. |
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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