Weaving Advocacy into E-Textiles
September 18, 2019 | Kelly Scanlon, director, EHS policy and researchEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Electronic textiles (e-textiles)—fabrics that have electronics embedded in them to achieve certain functions – are of growing interest in the electronics manufacturing industry, and thus they are of growing interest to the IPC Government Relations team as well.
E-textiles and their requisite parts on display at the Drexel Center for Functional Fabrics
E-textiles are being developed and/or used for a variety of interesting applications, from sensing physiological changes in medical patients; to monitoring vital signs of military service members; to displaying warning lights on clothing that can call attention to first responders.
To learn more, last week I attended IPC E-Textiles 2019, a conference at the Drexel Center for Functional Fabrics (CFF) in Philadelphia, where designers, suppliers, engineers, and innovators met to exchange knowledge, network, and tour the CFF.
I learned that the IPC D-70 E-Textiles Committee has finalized an industry standard called IPC-8921, Requirements for Woven and Knitted Electronics Textiles Integrated with Conductive Fibers, Conductive Yarns and/or Wires, which is the first standard of its kind. I also heard from more than a dozen experts on the latest developments and challenges regarding materials, processing, testing, and applications.
As a member of IPC’s Government Relations team and as an environment, health and safety (EHS) professional, my objective was to bring the IPC spirit of innovation and collaboration to develop an advocacy strategy for e-textiles. As this field continues to evolve, IPC will be working to learn more from our members, educate policymakers, and advocate for policies that will support further progress. We’ll also be looking to collaborate with other associations and organizations touched by e-textiles—including in the military, medical, and automotive industries—to develop a comprehensive agenda backed by varied stakeholders with shared interests.
Advocating for innovation requires educating those outside of the innovation space. The IPC GR is well positioned to connect those on the inside with those on the outside to lessen the distance between the two.
To learn more or participate in our advocacy efforts, please visit our website
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Kitron Receives EUR 100 Million Defense Order
10/21/2025 | KitronKitron has received an order with a value of EUR 100 million from a customer in the Defense/Aerospace market sector.
Flex Sites in Brazil and Mexico Recognized as Manufacturing Leaders by the Association for Manufacturing Excellence
10/21/2025 | PRNewswireFlex announced that its sites in Manaus, Brazil, and our plastics operations in Guadalajara, Mexico, each received an Excellence Award from the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME), demonstrating global leadership in continuous improvement and operational excellence.
OE-A Business Climate Survey: Solid Growth for the Flexible and Printed Electronics Industry
10/21/2025 | OE-AFor 2026 the industry has more positive expectations, with a sales forecast of +14 percent, which has even increased slightly compared to the beginning of the year. Further encouraging signs include improved employment prospects. 30 percent of companies plan to increase their workforce in the coming months — up from 10 percent in February.
Global Electronics Association Releases Fall Schedule of Instructor-led Courses
10/20/2025 | Corey Lynn, Global Electronics AssociationWhether you’re looking to enhance your PCB design skills, explore advanced packaging technologies, or deepen your understanding of reliability, these Global Electronics Association courses deliver high-impact learning from the best in the industry. Here are a few starting this week.
NOVOSENSE, UAES and Innoscience Advance Power Electronics for New Energy Vehicles
10/20/2025 | PRNewswireThe partnership focuses on developing next-generation intelligent integrated Gallium Nitride (GaN) products. Leveraging their combined expertise, the new devices will deliver more reliable GaN driving and protection features, enabling higher power density and paving the way for wider adoption in automotive systems.