By Kate Koger, IPC public affairs coordinator

This week, I had the exciting opportunity to visit Detex's New Braunfels, Texas plant for a tour with two staffers from Senator John Cornyn’s (R-TX) office: Andi Dooley, regional director, and Jacob Smith, policy advisor for commerce, science, and technology. What made this visit even more special was how it specifically highlighted IPC’s apprenticeship program and how Detex is implementing it to address workforce challenges. 

The tour started with a warm welcome at Detex, where we discussed the company’s history, workforce, and their unique role in the electronics manufacturing landscape. As we walked through the plant, I was able to see firsthand how Detex’s products contribute to local security, infrastructure, and even broader markets. 

As the key focus of the tour was Detex's implementation of IPC’s Registered Apprenticeship program, we were able to see firsthand how Detex has worked to recruit, retain, and upskill workers. With the electronics industry facing a widening skills gap and an aging workforce, apprenticeship programs are vital to developing the next generation of skilled professionals. We had the chance to meet several apprentices and watch them in action. It was inspiring to see their high level of mastery of these complex skills with a degree of precision and confidence that underscored the power of hands-on learning.

Hearing their stories highlighted not just the success of the program but the importance of structured training in an industry where knowledge transfer and skill development are critical. The apprenticeship model helps fill the gap between the classroom and the production floor, offering a direct pathway into good careers while helping companies like Detex stay competitive.

It was especially important to see the success of these programs with government staffers like Andi and Jacob present. It’s one thing to talk about the importance of workforce development on Capitol Hill, but it’s another to see it up close! I was excited that they were able to not only witness the dedication of these apprentices, but also better understand the complexity of manufacturing processes. I believe this is the best way to better appreciate the need for policy that supports initiatives like apprenticeships. Their visit to Detex provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue about the barriers we face in the workforce, from skills shortages to outdated training methods. By seeing these challenges firsthand, policymakers can better advocate for solutions that will benefit the entire electronics industry.

Visits like this make a real difference, especially as we approach this year’s National Apprenticeship Week (November 17-23). It's essential to get more policymakers on the ground and into factories so they can see what’s at stake. The electronics manufacturing industry is a vital part of our economy and national security, and addressing workforce challenges requires practical, well-informed solutions. Apprenticeship programs can be a game-changer, but they need strong support from government leaders.

To our IPC member companies, if you’d like to host a tour, we’re here to help make it happen. And for members of Congress and their staffers, come see the incredible work being done at manufacturing sites across the country. There’s no better way to understand the industry’s needs and the policies that will drive us forward. 

Learn more about Detex and their apprenticeships in this IPC Community article: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1523888-community-q324/73

By Diana Radovan, IPC sustainability policy director

IPC is closely monitoring the global sustainability policy landscape and setting policy priorities in close dialogue with the electronics industry. Last week, I attended and actively engaged in three days packed with presentations and panel discussions in Brussels. Sponsored by Chemical Watch news & events by Enhesa, the two consecutive events (two days focusing on key EU and one on global [non-EU] topics) were an opportunity for industry representatives and policymakers to get together and discuss existing and emerging chemical regulations, as well as practical aspects and challenges of their implementation, from different and at times conflicting perspectives. 

Key European Regulatory Updates Europe needs a regulatory framework that allows multiple industries, including the electronics industry, to be and remain competitive, while also protecting human health and the environment. How to strike the right balance in the context of geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty was the focus of the Key Regulatory Updates Europe 2024 (and beyond) event. Among the hottest topics of the opening session, which included European Parliament and European Commission representatives, were the upcoming revision of the EC’s REACH regime and the need for a clearer definition of essential vs. non-essential uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)substances.

Other topics included: UNEP‘s New Global Framework on Chemicals (CFG); one substance-one assessment (OSOA); the Essential Use Concept (EUC); substitution challenges and opportunities; the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), including the Ecodesign Forum; the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD); the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR); the proposed Green Claims Directive (GCD); the revision of the Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation; and the potential of AI for chemicals identification.

A number of key challenges remain: not all government representatives seem aware of the impact of regulations designed for the chemical industry per se on related industries that use chemicals; there is still a gray zone regarding essential vs. non-essential uses (in particular for PFAS substances); a disconnect between the timing and time needed for policies to evolve in relation to technology advancement; limited knowledge of policies across sectors, with the implication that policy makers may at times miss out on opportunities to better streamline and learn from successful policies and their implementation, e.g. success stories from the EU MDR [Medical Device Regulation]); some regulatory frameworks are currently still “empty” (e.g. ESPR), with delegated acts coming in later.

Global Regulatory Updates This session included regulatory updates from three main regions: Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Turkey), South/Latin America (Peru, Columbia, Chile, and Brazil), and North America (US and Canada). Many Asian and Latin American countries have EU REACH-like regulations in place that require the registration of new and hazardous chemicals, however, with more simplified data sets, i.e. a full technical dossier is not required. For the U.S., the focus was on TSCA requirements and the history of the PFAS reporting rule. For Canada, the Chemicals Management Cycle under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act was presented.

Overall, in particular in Europe, there is a need for policy simplification (e.g. REACH), cohesion (between different policies), and clarification, as well as for more regulatory predictability to foster innovation and investment. At the same time, EU REACH-like policies in other parts of the world are still maturing. To conclude, IPC believes that for a successful European 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 and global sustainability policy landscape, and we welcome your questions and suggestions.

For more information on global sustainability policies, contact me at DianaRadovan@ipc.org. 

Day 1 (left to right): Leigh Stringer, Managing Editor, Europe, Chemical Watch News & Insight, Enhesa Product Intelligence; Martin Hojsík, Vice-president, European Parliament; Dunja Drmač, Senior Chemicals Legislation Manager, Cefic; Paul Speight, Head of the Safe and Sustainable Chemicals Unit in DG Environment, European Commission

Day 2 (left to right): Marko Sušnik, Advisor to the Secretary General on Chemicals Policy, SMEunited, and Senior Advisor Chemical Policy, Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), SMEunited / WKÖ; Jake Grace, Head of High Throughput Experimentation, Clariant Innovation Centre; Niraj Deo, Founder and CEO, Viridium AI; Emil Damgaard-Møller, PFAS Consultant, Danish Technological Institute

Day 3 (left to right): Junho Lee, Director, CIRS Group Korea, South Korea; Sok-Han Ng, Expert Service & Solution (ESS) Manager, Japan, Enhesa Product Intelligence; Hui Wang-Hauenstein, Project Manager Chemicals & Product Safety, knoell Germany GmbH; Kimberley de Miguel, Managing Analyst EMEA

Congressional staff continue to work behind the scenes in preparation for the post-election final legislative push of 2024. 

Along with the cool weather this week, staffers were greeted by a bracing message from electronics executives on the state of 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, you can lend your voice to this important issue today.   

Together with IPC, the electronics industry successfully pressed the White House to issue the 2023 Presidential Determination that PCB manufacturing is a critical industrial base shortfall, qualified for Defense Production Act (DPA) investment. Then the priority became persuading Congress to appropriate the funds to make those investments – which is no easy task when Congress is wrangling over a tight budget.

However, IPC’s persistent advocacy has led to modest but real investments in the PCB industry over the last 12 months. Most recently, the Department of Defense Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP), announced a $30 million investment in TTM Technologies Inc., to develop uHDI PCB manufacturing. This is the fourth PCB project funded through the Defense Production Act program in the last 12 months. 

Earlier this year, IPC noticed that President Biden’s budget request for FY25 failed to allocate any additional DPA funding for PCBs. Mere hours after the budget was released, IPC was on the phone with policymakers, making the case that this was a serious mistake for U.S. national security. Our team sprang into action, meeting with key Members of Congress and Senators and bringing the voice of industry to the Hill, including a joint letter with the PCBAA, signed by 49 industry executives. We hosted a Washington Impact Day, during which CEOs met with 14 congressional offices, including six with seats on the Appropriations or Armed Services committees. 

In July we learned that the House of Representatives did not include our recommendations in its their version of the FY25 appropriations bill. This was not surprising, as House leadership had to navigate a more difficult political situation with a greater desire for strict budget caps. A few weeks later, however, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its version of the bill with $45 million specifically allocated to PCBs, and additional IPC-backed language urging prioritization of these investments and further funding in future years.

In the past year, we’ve seen more than $100 million in manufacturing investment awarded to the PCB industry through the Defense Production Act. But this trend will stop unless Congress continues to fund the program in FY25 and ensure it moves it forward.

IPC is one voice, constantly advocating for you. But we need the entire industry to speak up to those who represent them. When they hear from you, meet you, and learn about what you do policymakers can better understand the importance of the industry to their districts. 

Just last week, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) led a letter signed by six Members of Congress addressed to the House Appropriations Committee, asking them to support the $45 million PCB funding. Rep. Van Orden has met with IPC members, toured their sites, and developed a deep understanding of the industry. Not surprisingly, he has become a champion of our causes in Congress. The other Members on last week’s letter, including Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Brandon Williams (R-NY), and Ro Khanna (D-CA) have done the same, and they continue to be leading champions for PCB issues in Congress. 

If you’ve never engaged with Congress before, now is a great time to start. IPC makes it easy for you. 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. 

Thank you to everyone who is rallying to support the industry. 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. 

Lend your voice to this important issue today.  

by Nyron Rouse, Director of Government Grants and Strategic Funding

As we enter the final quarter of 2024, IPC is proud to reflect on a year of significant progress and strategic advancement in our government grants and funding initiatives. Since the program’s launch in July 2023, we’ve explored major funding opportunities, forged key partnerships across the electronics sector, and laid a strong foundation for long-term success. Our efforts this past year are setting the stage for impactful results and future growth.

In just over a year, IPC has applied for over $37.4 million in grants, collaborating with industry leaders and positioning ourselves as a competitive player in critical projects. While we await responses on several proposals, our ongoing efforts are yielding valuable partnerships and increasing IPC’s visibility as an organization committed to driving optimization and strategic growth. We are optimistic about the remainder of 2024 as we continue to cultivate these opportunities and build on the momentum we’ve generated.

A significant part of our progress stems from our focus on change management, which has allowed us to streamline internal processes and strengthen our ability to compete for funding. For example, we are adopting a centralized grants management system to improve tracking and compliance, and we are aligning our submission protocols with industry standards, ensuring our proposals are more competitive and easier to manage across the organization. These steps result in more efficient workflows and a stronger overall positioning for upcoming funding opportunities.

Looking ahead to 2025, we are preparing to launch new training programs aimed at equipping our team and members with the tools to navigate the complexities of grants management and maximize future opportunities. These programs will cover essential skills such as budget preparation, compliance with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance), effective reporting, and proposal writing strategies, ensuring that IPC remains competitive in an increasingly complex grants landscape. Our commitment to ongoing professional development will help us seize future opportunities while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and effectiveness.

As we continue to build and refine our strategy, IPC is dedicated to securing the funding that drives impactful projects across the electronics industry. We are excited about what lies ahead and look forward to keeping our members and stakeholders informed and engaged as we move forward into a new phase of growth and opportunity.

Stay tuned for the launch of our grants landing page, where you’ll be able to track our progress, discover new opportunities, and follow the evolution of IPC’s grants program.

For additional information on IPC's government grants and funding initiatives, please reach out to me at NyronRouse@ipc.org.