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One World, One Industry: IPC’s Global Policy Framework for 2017—Smart Advocacy for the Industry

If you are like most readers of I-Connect007 publications, you may already know that IPC places a high priority on government relations work because so many government decisions have major impacts on our industry.

But how much do you really know about IPC’s advocacy program?

As President Trump was being sworn in several weeks ago, and as the new Congress was getting down to work, IPC released its Global Policy Framework for 2017[1]. As we work to represent more than 3,800 member facilities across the electronics industry’s global supply chain, IPC will adhere to this framework to guide our policy work in the coming months. All of our advocacy efforts are aimed at fostering an environment in which electronics manufacturers and their suppliers can thrive and grow.

The IPC Global Policy Framework breaks out into three broad areas:

• Promoting a 21st century economy and workforce
• Driving technological innovation and advanced manufacturing
• Advocating for smart regulation and environmental policy

Let’s delve into each one.

Promoting a 21st Century Economy and Workforce

At the highest level, IPC advocates for government policies that lower obstacles to trade and facilitate broad-based economic growth and competitiveness.

Among its priorities, IPC advocates for lower corporate tax rates and incentives that stimulate business investment; and for international trade agreements that advance open and fair trade among countries.

Further, IPC endorses ambitious workforce development initiatives, especially in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). As part of this, we support immigration policies that allow for international mobility among highly skilled workers to ensure that companies have access to the talent they need to be globally competitive.

Simply put, industry lives or dies on its people. Thus, workforce development and high-skilled immigration are two critical policy priorities that will help ensure our member companies can both recruit and maintain the next generation of workers.

Driving Technological Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing

For more than 60 years, IPC member companies have supplied high-reliability electronics for a wide array of applications in defense, transportation, aerospace, industrial, medical, and other industries.

Staying competitive in the global economy requires continuous investment in basic and applied research and development (R&D), as well as programs to spur advanced manufacturing innovation. For example, IPC is a strong supporter of public-private partnerships such as the innovation institutes established through Manufacturing USA in the United States and the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany.

Furthermore, IPC continues to promote strong intellectual property protection and strives to prevent counterfeit products in the supply chain through our standards initiatives and advocacy efforts.

Advocating for Smart Regulation and Environmental Policy

Manufacturers in many parts of the world face a complex and overwhelming regulatory compliance burden that negatively impacts their abilities to develop innovative technology, create jobs, and compete in a global marketplace.

Oftentimes, regulations, such as those on conflict minerals, are overly burdensome and do not achieve the intended result. IPC strongly supports efforts among governments to reform their regulatory processes to ensure greater public scrutiny and a balance among risks, costs and benefits based on the best available scientific research.

IPC also supports voluntary environmental initiatives and thorough, life-cycle evaluations of substances and their alternatives prior to any restrictions.

Your Turn

There’s an old expression in politics: “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu!” In other words, leaders of our industry must work hard to ensure we have a seat at the table. If we forfeit our right to educate our elected officials and propose solutions, then our interests could be at risk. Opportunities to strengthen the industry could be lost.

That’s why IPC places such a high priority on our government relations program, and our lobbying team is on the job for this industry, year-round.

But here’s where you come in. We need you to help us help you!

Because quite often, IPC member company leaders are the industry’s best spokespersons. You have front-line experience—you vote—and in many cases, you have influence in your communities.

Visit our Getting Involved page to discover the ways you can pitch in and help, including:

• Stay informed on the issues that affect us all by subscribing to IPC’s Global Advocacy Report.
• Be in contact with your elected representatives. Send emails, make phone calls, or meet with them at the local coffee shop or district office. IPC’s government relations team can help arrange meetings and provide you with talking points and handouts. Also, be sure to participate in IPC action alerts.
• Host an elected official at one of your facilities. You can offer a tour, a briefing or a demo, and a chance for them to speak to your employees. Again, IPC’s government relations team is here to help.
• Attend one of IPC’s annual advocacy events, called “IMPACT,” in Washington[2], DC, or Brussels. IMPACT events give C-level executives of IPC member companies a chance to meet face-to-face with top government officials to discuss the issues we care about.
• Every year, have your company sign a prior authorization form for the IPC Political Action Committee (IPC PAC). The IPC PAC supports pro-manufacturing Congressional candidates, from both parties. Visit IPC.org/PAC to sign the prior authorization form and to learn more about the IPC PAC.

At the end of the day, government should craft smart policies that allow businesses like ours to innovate, deliver great products and services, and create well-paying jobs. We may be based in different countries and face a variety of regulatory regimes, but we are all part of one world, one industry, and  one team in advancing the electronics industry.

John Mitchell is president and CEO of IPC—Association Connecting Electronics Industries.

To read past columns, or to contact Mitchell, click here.

Editor's Note: This column originally appeared in the March 2017 issue of The PCB Magazine, click here.