EU Steps Up 'Semiconductor Sovereignty' Plans
September 16, 2021 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute

The European Commission plans to introduce a “European Chips Act” to provide a European vision and strategy to boost cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing capacity in the region.
The announcement was made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her State of the Union speech in Strasbourg on September 15. It comes as EU Member States are designing national strategies to develop industrial and production facilities to reduce foreign dependencies.
In a related blog, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said the European Chips Act should cover three elements:
- A European Semiconductor Research Strategy to push Europe’s research ambitions to the next level
- A collective plan to enhance European production capacity
- A framework for international cooperation and partnership
Breton said the legislation should aim to support monitoring and resilience of the entire supply chain including design, production, packaging, equipment, and suppliers. The goal is to support the development of European “mega fabs” able to produce in high volume the most advanced and energy-efficient semiconductors, he said.
As these plans move forward, IPC will continue to underline the importance of investing in the broader electronics manufacturing ecosystem, not just semiconductors. IPC will also continue to work with European policymakers to discuss needed investments across the electronics manufacturing ecosystem so that Europe can truly achieve greater “tech sovereignty.”
Suggested Items
Seeing a Future in Mexico
07/09/2025 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007The Global Electronics Association (formerly known as IPC) has been instrumental in fostering a partnership with Guanajuato, a state north of Mexico City with 12 industrial clusters and close to 150 companies involved in electronics. This past spring, Alejandro Hernández, the undersecretary for investment promotion in Guanajuato, attended IPC APEX EXPO 2025 at the invitation of IPC Mexico Director Lorena Villanueva, where he met with several companies to discuss the opportunities available in Mexico. He is inviting electronics-related companies seeking long-term investment in a centrally located area with access to highways, railways, and ports.
The Global Electronics Association Releases IPC-8911: First-Ever Conductive Yarn Standard for E-Textile Application
07/02/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe Global Electronics Association announces the release of IPC-8911, Requirements for Conductive Yarns for E-Textiles Applications. This first-of-its-kind global standard establishes a clear framework for classifying, designating, and qualifying conductive yarns—helping to address longstanding challenges in supply chain communication, product testing, and material selection within the growing e-textiles industry.
IPC-CFX, 2.0: How to Use the QPL Effectively
07/02/2025 | Chris Jorgensen, Global Electronics AssociationIn part one of this series, we discussed the new features in CFX Version 2.0 and their implications for improved inter-machine communication. But what about bringing this new functionality to the shop floor? The IPC-CFX-2591 QPL is a powerful technical resource for manufacturers seeking CFX-enabled equipment. The Qualified Product List (QPL) helps streamline equipment selection by listing models verified for CFX compliance through a robust third-party virtual qualification process.
The Knowledge Base: A Conference for Cleaning and Coating of Mission-critical Electronics
07/08/2025 | Mike Konrad -- Column: The Knowledge BaseIn electronics manufacturing, there’s a dangerous misconception that cleaning and coating are standalone options, that they operate in different lanes, and that one can compensate for the other. Let’s clear that up now. Cleaning and conformal coating are not separate decisions. They are two chapters in the same story—the story of reliability.
Advancing Aerospace Excellence: Emerald’s Medford Team Earns Space Addendum Certification
06/30/2025 | Emerald TechnologiesWe’re thrilled to announce a major achievement from our Medford, Oregon facility. Andy Abrigo has officially earned her credentials as a Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) under the IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum, the leading industry standard for space and military-grade electronics manufacturing.