Global Citizenship: What I’ve Learned About the American PCB Business
Global Sourcing Spotlight: The Best Products to Buy Offshore Through Global Sourcing
Nolan's Notes: The Rise (and Risk) of Data
Progress in Europe: An IPC Report
November 15, 2023 | IPC Government Relations TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Editor's note: This is an excerpt of an article by Chris Mitchell, IPC Vice President, Global Government Relations, and Alison James, Senior Director, European Government Relations.
For far too long, electronics manufacturing has been overlooked in European policy circles, but exciting developments are taking place in Brussels. This year, IPC released a new, unprecedented SWOT analysis of the European EMS and PCB industries produced in collaboration with major stakeholders, including electronics manufacturers, OEMs, trade associations, and trade unions.
The report came at the urging of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship (DG GROW) and SMEs. It reflects interest in the commission’s part to address vulnerabilities in European value chains. In addition to the SWOT analysis, the report lays out initial policy recommendations and calls for further dialogue amongst stakeholders and the government.
This report, delivered to DG GROW and the electronics stakeholder industry community in early August, is the result of sustained and intensifying advocacy by IPC in Brussels over a five-year period. It represents significant progress, yet the most exciting and meaningful achievements remain ahead as IPC works with electronics manufacturers to restore the strategic importance of our industry.
Background
In the past five years, IPC has intensified its commitment to European government relations:
- IPC formed a European government relations committee and the appointment of Alison James as our senior director of government relations.
- In 2020, IPC launched an initiative to bolster European Union (EU) support for the electronics manufacturing industry. This initiative emphasized direct engagement with government officials and new industry research to support the industry’s policy goals.
- In 2021, IPC released Digital Directions, Greener Connections. In explaining how the EMS and PCB industries drive innovation and economic growth, the report made a powerful argument for a more holistic policy approach to the electronics manufacturing industry to further the EU’s digital and green transitions.
Read more about the IPC report in the fall 2023 issue of IPC Community.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Winners of IPC Hand Soldering World Championship at electronica 2024 Announced
11/21/2024 | IPCIPC hosted its Hand Soldering World Championship in Munich, Germany, at electronica on 14-15 November 2024, welcoming 14 competitors from 13 companies and 12 countries worldwide. Skilled contestants competed to build an electronics assembly in accordance with IPC-A-610 Class 3 criteria, and were judged on the functionality of the assembly, compliance with the assembly process and overall product quality. The contestants were allowed a maximum of 60 minutes to complete the assembly.
IPC Issues Clarion Call for EU to Reclaim Leadership in Electronics Manufacturing
11/21/2024 | IPCIPC released a synopsis of its recent white paper, Securing the European Union’s Electronics Ecosystem. This condensed document presents a comprehensive overview of the current challenges in Europe’s electronics manufacturing industry and shares actionable steps to help the EU achieve a stronger, more autonomous ecosystem.
Enjoy the Journey: PCB Design Instructor Kris Moyer on His Sustainable Lifestyle
11/19/2024 | Michelle Te, IPC CommunityWhen I contacted IPC design instructor Kris Moyer to discuss his sustainable lifestyle, he responded to my text with a call. "I'm calling you from about 8,000 feet, sitting at the foot of Mammoth Lakes," he told me. “My friends and I are about to get in the pool for the afternoon." Kris can do this because he actually lives full-time in his travel-trailer at this campground. He's now a permanent camper, taking him anywhere the winds blow—and where there's strong internet service—so he can teach his PCB design classes, offer expert interviews, and live off the land.
IPC Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week with a Focus on Electronics Manufacturing Excellence
11/19/2024 | IPCIPC, a leading global electronics industry association and source for industry standards, training and advocacy, is proud to announce its participation in National Apprenticeship Week, scheduled for November 17-23, 2024.
IPC Introduces First Standard for In-Mold Electronics
11/18/2024 | IPCIPC announces the release of IPC-8401, Guidelines for In-Mold Electronics. IPC-8401 addresses in-mold electronics (IME) technology, providing industry consensus on guidelines for manufacturing processes, part structures, material selection, and production test methods to integrate printed electronics and components into 3D smart structures.