 Dear IPC Members,
If you or someone in your company focuses on building electronics sustainably, including compliance with the European Union’s new Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), don’t miss the two upcoming IPC online events on these topics under UPCOMING EVENTS below.
Also new this week: A joint effort by IPC and the Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas will elevate workforce development in electronics manufacturing.
And as U.S. and European policymakers work to bolster their domestic microelectronics industries, an important question arises: Which electronics technologies and systems should be manufactured domestically to safeguard national security, maintain economic competitiveness, and support critical technology transitions? And what investments are necessary to achieve these goals?
In a recent Q&A with SMT007 Magazine, I underscored the urgent need for all governments to modernize facilities, build trusted supply chains, invest in R&D, and expand the skilled workforce. Achieving strategic autonomy and competitiveness will require more dialogue and collaboration between governments and industry.
As IPC’s Government Relations team continues to advocate for your interests globally, we welcome your feedback, ideas, and questions. |
Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations
The Headlines at a Glance:
TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK
- IPC and Stephen F. Austin State University Partner on Workforce Development
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
- Electronics Supply Chain Crucial for National Security
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)
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US
TOP NEWS OF THE WEEK
IPC and Stephen F. Austin State University Partner on Workforce Development: IPC has joined forces with the Stephen F. Austin State University's Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation (CARRI) in Nacogdoches, Texas and the IPC Education Foundation to elevate workforce development in electronics manufacturing. This strategic partnership will integrate IPC’s industry standards and certifications into SFASU’s engineering curriculum, providing students with vital skills and hands-on training. Supported by generous contributions from CARRI and Weller Tools, including advanced soldering equipment, the collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of the electronics manufacturing sector. This initiative is set to foster innovation, expand the talent pool, and contribute to the future of the industry. Read more on the IPC Blog. IPC Contact: Cory Blaylock.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“A robust domestic electronics manufacturing industry is vital to U.S. national defense and heavily impacts the ecosystem across industries including automobile, defense, aerospace and more. It is critical to our national security to invest in a reliable supply chain, and as the U.S. works to maintain a technological advantage, that means investing not just in chips, but also in the tangential and necessary industries, such as printed circuit boards."
— Peter Austin, CEO of AdvancedPCB, in an op-ed for Manufacturing Dive about why the United States should prioritize domestic production in the wider microelectronics industry. |
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UNITED STATES
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U.S. Defense Bills with Pro-Electronics Language Move Forward: IPC applauded 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. 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.
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
IPC announces partnership with Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU), the IPC Education Foundation (IPCEF), and the SFA Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation (CARRI) for workforce development in electronics manufacturing. The collaboration will align academic programs with industry needs by enhancing educational opportunities, fostering industry-academic collaboration, supporting workforce readiness, and promoting innovation and growth. |
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Wrapped up a couple of days visiting IL manufacturers with a great discussion with Rep. Darin LaHood on the need to invest in the domestic electronics ecosystem. From defense to healthcare, agriculture to communications infrastructure, our modern world depends on reliable electronics. Thanks to Zentech Manufacturing for demonstrating this with their impressive Bloomington "mission critical manufacturing" site in beautiful Bloomington, IL. |
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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