Chris Mitchell
Vice President, Global Government Relations

The Headlines at a Glance: 

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

• IPC Persisting on Defense PCB Funding; Lend Your Voice Today 
• IPC Grants Program: A Year of Strategic Growth and Momentum

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 

• IPC’s David Hernandez on the CHIPS-Workforce Connection

DEFENSE AND SECURITY

• U.S. Defense Dept. Finalizes Cybersecurity Rule that IPC Advised On
• U.S. Office of Strategic Capital Offers Millions in Loans, Seeks Industry Input

EUROPEAN UNION

• New TSMC Plant in Germany Underscores Need for Silicon-to-Systems Strategy

SUSTAINABILITY

• IPC Participates in Discussions on European Regulatory Updates
• Sustainability Policy Priorities and IPC Advocacy: What’s Next?  
• European Commission Publishes FAQ Document on New EcoDesign Regulation

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

• IPC Report Cites Risks in AI Supply Chain; Raimondo Echoes Them

OTHER HEADLINES IN THE NEWS

• Forbes | 5 Industries That Will Be Impacted By IoT In The Upcoming Years
• Aerospace Manufacturing and Design | Gen Z is getting the message on manufacturing
• Bloomberg | ASML’s Surprise Results Signal Uncertain Future for Some Chipmakers
• Forbes | Powering Progress: How U.S. Manufacturing Drives Innovation And Growth
• Yahoo! | America's chipmaking push will continue no matter who gets elected

UPCOMING EVENTS

• U.S. CHIPS Office Advanced Packaging Proposers’ Day: Rockville, Maryland and Online (Oct. 22)
• The New Eco-design Regulation and Digital Product Passports: What the Electronics Industry Needs to Know (Webinar, Oct. 30)
• IPC APEX EXPO 2025: Anaheim, California (March 15-20)

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US

IPC ADVOCACY AND YOU

IPC Persisting on Defense PCB Funding; Lend Your Voice Today! Continuing IPC’s advocacy in support of strengthening the U.S. national security supply chain, this week two letters signed by 10 industry CEOs based in California and Connecticut were delivered to their U.S. representatives, urging them to support Senate language directing $45 million into the FY25 Defense Production Act Purchases account for investments in domestic printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing. These CEOs are leading the way for our industry, using their voices to educate Congress on the importance of PCB manufacturing and the need for tangible results. Now it’s your turn. If you’ve never engaged with Congress before, now is a great time to start. Please take a minute now to visit our Action Alert Center, where you can email your Member of Congress with just a few clicks and less than 5 minutes of your time. If you’d like to do more, IPC can help you invite your Member of Congress or Senator to visit your facility to learn more about the industry and our challenges.  To date, our action alert has reached Members of Congress from eight states. But we need everyone to understand that failure to invest in PCB manufacturing will lead to unacceptable risk for the national security and critical infrastructure of all 50 states. Read the new blog by IPC’s Rich Cappetto to realize how much has gone into this effort already, and how we still need to bring it over the finish line.  IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

IPC Grants Program: A Year of Strategic Growth and Momentum: As we enter the final quarter of 2024, IPC is pleased to report on a year of significant progress in our government grants and funding initiatives. Since we launched this effort in July 2023, IPC has applied for over $37.4 million in grants, aiming to drive impact and progress across the electronics industry. We’ve collaborated with industry leaders, positioned IPC as a key player in critical projects, and streamlined internal processes to better compete for future funding. In 2025, we are preparing to launch new training programs to help our team and members navigate the complexities of grants management. Read this IPC Blog to learn more and stay tuned for the launch of our Grants Program web page. IPC Contact: Nyron Rouse.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Most immediately, government can’t miss out on the opportunity to leverage the CHIPS program to build the workforce pipelines across the entire electronics industry.” — David Hernandez, IPC VP of education, In a recent opinion piece in I-Connect007.

DEFENSE & SECURITY

U.S. Defense Dept. Finalizes Cybersecurity Rules that IPC Advised On: The U.S. Defense Department this week published the final rules for the long-awaited Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program (CMMC), paving the way for new requirements to show up in defense contracts starting next year. As Federal News Network reports, DoD began developing the rules more than five years ago in response to concerns that defense contractors were not following contractual cybersecurity requirements, allowing U.S. adversaries to steal sensitive data. DOD made significant changes to the initial proposal after industry pushback, including an IPC survey and report in which 24 percent of electronic manufacturers said the CMMC compliance burden could force them out of the DoD supply chain. Initial reactions to the rule, which will not take effect for 60 days, continue to raise concern that this final rule will negatively impact small and medium sized businesses and nontraditional contractors, potentially further weakening the defense industrial base supply chain. IPC Contact: Rich Cappetto.

U.S. Office of Strategic Capital Offers Millions in Loans, Seeks Industry Input: The U.S. Office of Strategic Capital (OSC), established in December 2022 and formally codified under the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act, aims to attract private capital to bolster critical technologies in the defense supply chain. Through October 22, the OSC is seeking input from manufacturers to better understand their capital needs. Meanwhile, the OSC recently announced a new program with more than $980 million available in direct loans for capital investment and equipment purchase. Companies can apply for loans ranging from $10 million to $150 million. The application process opens in January 2025, but companies can begin preparing now by requesting pre-application consultations with the OSC. Learn more about the loan program here and contact Rich Cappetto with any questions.

EUROPEAN UNION

New TSMC Plant in Germany Underscores Need for Silicon-to-Systems Strategy: The recent groundbreaking for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s (TSMC) €10 billion plant in eastern Germany is a turning point in Europe’s pursuit of technological sovereignty, but it’s also another reminder of the need for a “silicon-to-systems strategy, write IPC’s Chris Mitchell and Kate Koger in an IPC Blog. The new plant is the company’s first European site, a milestone on the path to Europe’s goal to produce 20 percent of the world’s semiconductors by 2030. But “while semiconductors are critical, focusing solely on them neglects other key areas of the electronics ecosystem, like PCB production, EMS, and advanced packaging.” IPC’s recent white paper on the EU’s electronics ecosystem and its Industry Call to Action point the way to a more competitive and resilient electronics industry, the authors write. IPC Contact: Alison James.

SUSTAINABILITY

IPC Participates in Discussions on European Regulatory Updates: Europe needs a regulatory framework that allows multiple industries, including electronics, to be competitive while also protecting human health and the environment. How to strike the right balance was the focus of the Key Regulatory Updates Europe 2024 event this week in Brussels, where IPC was in the room. Sponsored by Chemical Watch news & events by Enhesa, the event was an opportunity for policy makers and industry representatives to discuss critical chemical regulations against the background of a new European Commission just being formed. Among the hottest topics were the upcoming revision of the EC’s REACH regime and the need for a clearer definition of essential vs. non-essential uses of PFAS substances. IPC believes that for a successful green transition that also supports innovation, industry needs more predictability in the regulatory framework, as well as closer dialogue between the EC, Member States, and companies, including SMEs. IPC is continuing to support the electronics industry in dealing with the complex European regulatory landscape, and we welcome your questions and ideas. IPC Contact: Diana Radovan.

Sustainability Policy Priorities and IPC Advocacy: What’s Next? IPC and its members need to refine their sustainability policy priorities and advocacy activities if the electronics industry is to remain competitive, especially in Europe, according to Dr. Diana Radovan, IPC Sustainability Policy Director, who spoke during IPC Day Italy at the Ferrari Convention Center in Maranello. In an IPC Blog, Radovan writes, “The electronics industry is currently facing the challenge of addressing the requirements of a broad range of largely EU-driven emerging sustainability policies,” and it must do so in the context of a changing geopolitical landscape, including the formation of a new European Commission. “This can only be achieved in close and active dialogue with the industry,” she concludes. To learn more and get involved, contact Diana Radovan.

European Commission Publishes FAQ Document on New EcoDesign Regulation: The European Commission (EC) recently released a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document related to the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which entered into force in mid-July. The ESPR aims to ensure that products placed on the EU market are designed with environmental considerations at their core. The FAQ document addresses many topics, from the scope of the regulation to specific product categories; the Digital Product Passport (DPP); the Ecodesign Forum; and the timeline for implementation. It provides insights into the ESPR's impact on different stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, and consumers. For further information, download the FAQ document and/or contact Diana Radovan.

TRADE AND SUPPLY CHAIN

New IPC Report Examines Issues and Risks in the AI Supply Chain: Opening a new front in IPC’s campaign for a “silicon-to-systems” approach to supply chain security, a new white paper from IPC explores the actions needed to improve the supply chain resiliency of U.S.-based artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, including the status of associated electronics assembly capabilities in the United States. Due in part to IPC advocacy, this issue was raised in a public meeting last month by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and her Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness. IPC had provided a pre-publication version of this report to inform their work. In keynote remarks, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said, “And when you get into it, and you realize all the cooling systems, all the circuit boards, all the components come from China, it’s a very uncomfortable feeling.” Download the IPC report; read the IPC news release; and share the LinkedIn post. IPC Contact: Chris Mitchell.

UPCOMING EVENTS

U.S. CHIPS Office Advanced Packaging Proposers’ Day: Rockville, Maryland and Online (Oct. 22): The U.S. CHIPS Research and Development Office is hosting a one-day meeting for potential applicants to the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) Advanced Packaging Research and Development funding opportunity, which was published in July. Attendees will also be able to network and develop partnerships in the community. Learn more here.

The New Eco-design Regulation and Digital Product Passports: What the Electronics Industry Needs to Know (Webinar, Oct. 30 – In this webinar, we will dive into the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Digital Product Passports (DPPs), providing a clear explanation of what they are and how they work. Register for free webinar here.

IPC APEX EXPO 2025 – Anaheim, California, USA (Mar. 15-20):  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!

October is Manufacturing Month in the U.S., and we celebrate the innovation and hard work of our members and colleagues in the electronics manufacturing industry. From job creation to producing top-tier electronics, they keep our economy electrified. U.S. manufacturing contributes $2.65 trillion to the U.S. economy, employs nearly 13 million workers, and accounts for 10.3 percent of the nation’s GDP.

IPC is excited to share our latest IPC Explainer video, which explains “advanced packaging” in plain English for a non-technical audience. The video is part of IPC’s ongoing efforts to educate government leaders and policy influencers on the need for a “silicon to systems” industrial strategy, a more holistic approach that boosts all the sectors involved in electronics manufacturing, not just semiconductor chips.

KEEP IN TOUCH & JOIN OUR EFFORTS  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.    Follow, like and share LinkedIn posts by IPC and/or any of us individually. Take IPC’s five-minute public opinion survey and contact your elected officials via the IPC Action Alert Center.  Peruse our Advocacy pages on IPC.org. Subscribe to this IPC Global Advocacy Report: If you are a member of IPC, manage your e-mail preferences and opt in to receive all “Advocacy” updates. If you are not an IPC member — or if you are not sure — please send a note to friends@ipc.org, and our staff will add you to the list. See prior editions of Global Advocacy Report.  Check out the latest edition of IPC Community, which spotlights IPC’s members and global activities. Contact one of us if you have any questions or insights to share.