Key Summary

Carbon accounting in electronics is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s a competitive requirement.

Customers are demanding product carbon footprints. Design teams are being pulled into sustainability conversations earlier than ever. Procurement is under pressure to validate supplier data. And too often, the response is the same: “We don’t have reliable, electronics-specific methods to do this well”.

At APEX EXPO 2026, we’re addressing that gap directly with two highly technical professional development courses built for the realities of semiconductors, PCBs, and PCBAs. If you’re serious about defensible carbon data, these are the rooms to be in.

PD02: Electronics-Specific Approaches to Carbon Accounting: Openly Available, Industry-Deployed Methodologies for Semiconductors
📅 Sunday, March 15
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

🗣️Udit Gupta, Cornell
📍 Room 303-B

This session goes far beyond high-level Scope 1, 2, and 3 discussions. It dives into the hardware-specific complexities of carbon accounting within the semiconductor lifecycle.

You’ll explore:

• Openly available, industry-deployed methodologies
• Practical approaches already used by major technology companies, including Meta
• How to map the environmental footprint of integrated circuits
• Strategies for navigating data gaps and supply chain variability
• How uncertainty in manufacturing impacts footprint accuracy

Semiconductors sit at the most complex layer of the electronics supply chain. If your chip-level data is flawed or incomplete, every downstream product footprint inherits that uncertainty. This course equips you with validated tools and strategic insight to build transparent, resilient carbon tracking—despite imperfect data.

PD23: Electronics-Specific Approaches to Carbon Accounting: IPC-1783-CO2e Standard for PCB and PCBA
📅 Thursday, March 19
🕗 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

🗣️ Francis D’Souza, Banyan.eco
📍 Room 303-C

If your customers, design teams, or sustainability leaders are asking for Product Carbon Footprints—and your challenge has been finding and trusting the data without boiling the ocean—this course was built for you.

For the first time, electronics has a standardized, repeatable way to measure Product Carbon Footprints with built-in data quality control: IPC-1783-CO2E.

In this session, you will:

• Start with the fundamentals of product carbon accounting
• Work step-by-step through the IPC-1783-CO2E standard
• See practical implementation examples
• Learn directly from a Task Force member who helped develop the standard

Whether you are an OEM, EMS provider, or PCB manufacturer, this course provides a structured path to credible, auditable carbon footprint reporting at the board and assembly level.

Why These Two Courses Matter Together

Think of it this way:

• PD02 tackles carbon accounting at the semiconductor level—the deepest, most complex layer of the stack.
• PD23 provides a standardized, repeatable framework for PCB and PCBA-level carbon footprints.

Together, they offer something the industry has lacked: a technically grounded, electronics-specific pathway from chip to board to finished assembly.

If your organization is facing increasing regulatory scrutiny, customer disclosure demands, or ESG reporting requirements, generic sustainability guidance won’t be enough. You need methods that reflect the realities of fabs, material variability, multi-tier supply chains, and data uncertainty.

Right now, there’s room in the rooms, but spots are limited. If carbon accounting is part of your remit, these are the rooms you’ll want to be in on Sunday and Thursday mornings. Register now and secure your spot. 

Key Summary

• The Global Electronics Association’s Emerging Engineer Program, launched in 2016, addresses the growing skills gap in electronics manufacturing.

• The program connects early-career engineers with experienced IPC standards committee mentors to transfer critical industry knowledge.

• Participation strengthens understanding of IPC standards, compliance, reliability, and best practices across design and manufacturing.

• Companies benefit through stronger representation in standards development and improved product quality and innovation.

• Mentorship ensures long-term sustainability of industry leadership and technical excellence.

By Debbie McDade, Advanced Rework Technology Ltd.

An ongoing challenge seen in every sector within the electronics industry is that production engineers, quality engineers, and process engineers are leaving the industry, taking their knowledge with them.

With today’s concerns around sustainability, chip shortages, reliability, and a possible skills shortage, the Global Electronics Association and dedicated industry mentors are bridging the knowledge gap through the Emerging Engineer Program. 

I previously wrote the Community magazine article (Standard of Friendship) where I discussed that Symon Franklin of Custom Interconnect Ltd (UK) and I were the unofficial founders of the Emerging Engineer Program, having mentored him through IPC Committee Leadership to the award-winning committee leader he is. We like to think that the result of our working relationship paved the way for today’s official IPC Emerging Engineer program. 

Originated in 2016, this program established a path for those new to the industry with a valuable opportunity. They could work with and learn from dedicated and knowledgeable individuals who volunteer their time across IPC committees, from design to box build and enclosures, and every part of the PCB and assembly in between. 

I am proud that I was approached to serve as an official mentor in this great program, helping equip the Emerging Engineers with the skills and understanding to maintain standards and training development long after current mentors have left the industry.

I felt a strong sense of pride as a mentor, particularly when I reflected on my 30 years in the industry, including nearly 25 years of IPC committee involvement, culminating in my first Emerging Engineer graduating from the programme in 2024.

I could preach about the importance of sharing knowledge with the next generation of industry leaders, but I felt it would be more effective to hear directly from my 2024 Emerging Engineer graduate.

I approached David Caputa, an Electro-Mechanical Senior Engineer at Lockheed Martin, to ask why he and his company felt that participating in IPC Standards Committees, especially the Emerging Engineer Program, would benefit him, his company, and the industry.

David, can you explain why your company made the initial investment in sending you to Association events, particularly IPC committee meetings?

My organization recognizes the significance of IPC standards in our product development and manufacturing processes, which is why they invest in my participation in Association  events and committee meetings. By attending these events, I can represent our company’s interests and provide input on the development of standards that directly affect our business. This enables me to advocate for our specific needs and ensure our voice is heard in the standards development process, ultimately supporting our company’s goals and objectives.

Does your company still see value in your meeting attendance?

Our company remains committed to my involvement in IPC meetings, as it is essential to our ongoing efforts to drive innovation and excellence in our product development. By participating in the development of IPC standards, we can tap into the knowledge and expertise of the industry’s leading experts, ensuring that our products are designed and manufactured to the highest standards of quality, reliability, and performance.

As I asked Symon in my previous article, does being a committee member give you a better understanding of the IPC documents and standards?

Serving as a committee member has significantly enhanced my understanding of IPC documents and standards, allowing me to develop a deeper understanding of the intricacies of these critical industry guidelines. Through my involvement in the development and revision of these documents, I have gained insight into the decision-making process and the rationale behind key provisions. Furthermore, my contributions to specific sections have enabled me to retain a clear understanding of how and why standards evolve, ensuring accurate and compliant application within our organisation.

How does this understanding benefit your day-to-day job role?

My in-depth understanding of IPC documents and standards gained through my committee membership has a direct and positive impact on my daily responsibilities. I apply this knowledge in practice, ensuring designs comply with industry standards and best practices. This also enables me to support colleagues by sharing guidance and insight, contributing to a more consistent and informed approach across the organisation.

Would you recommend the Emerging Engineer Program and committee membership to others?

I highly recommend both. The Emerging Engineer Program provides an immersive experience, offering insight into IPC’s structure and standards development processes while fostering valuable professional relationships. It is an excellent way to build knowledge, confidence, and a strong professional network.

Following his program completion, David had the following positive words to say about the Emerging Engineer initiative:

“Overall, I cannot speak highly enough about what an incredible program the EE program is. My time in the EE program was filled with opportunities to learn more about the industry and to network with subject matter experts. I found a lot of value in the program as it guided me through IPC’s committee structure and standards development process. Most of all, the EE program helped me to get comfortable with committee meetings as well as introduced me to the Association’s s staff. I am very grateful to have been a participant in the EE program, and I look forward to helping support the program in the future.”

When the time comes for me to leave the industry and my Association leadership roles, I am confident that the industry, and the standards that support it, will continue to thrive. 

Key summary

• Tariff Uncertainty: Supreme Court ruling limits former President Trump’s tariff powers, raising questions on past collections and future trade impacts.

• AI Agents Evolve: OpenClaw highlights the shift from AI chatbots to autonomous agents capable of running tasks on personal computers.

• Consumer Robotics Surge: Rapid growth in home robots, with CES showcasing affordable options and the market projected to exceed $251B by 2035.

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by John W. Mitchell, Global Electronics Association president and CEO

This is always a challenge to select just three reads to share with all of you. There is so much happening – both exciting and challenging for our industry. This will likely not do justice to the many changes happening around the world right now, but I will share what is top of mind at this moment.   I will highlight items of global impact not just regional with these selections.

Trouble with Tariffs 

First, the Supreme Court decision that President Trump’s primary tool (IEEPA) to justify his power to declare tariffs was overturned. There are so many questions now. What happens to the previously illegally collected monies? Under what and how quickly will these new threats of tariff come to light (122, 232, 301,…)? How does the world respond to the Trump Administration’s demands going forward? What is the quote (curse)? “May you live in interesting times…” I’m cheating a bit on this one and giving you two articles – this issue will continue to evolve, but there is good information here.

• Tariff ruling limits Trump's leverage but won't end uncertainty for trade partners
• Economic implications of the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling

Lobsters Anyone?

There have been so many rapid changes to the world from AI and within AI itself, it is hard to keep up. You might want to do a little investigation into a recent development that I am keeping my eye on. OpenClaw…this seems to be what all the Agentic AI hype has been pointing to.  No, it doesn’t seem to need rooms of servers – just a $600 mini-Mac by one account – the shift from chatting to running your computer / life. Cool and potentially scary advances here!  

• OpenClaw—what happens when AI stops chatting and starts doing

Robots for Everyone

Finally, in a recent conversation with a member company, I asked a senior executive what he thought the biggest upcoming impact will be in electronics.  He surprised me a little when he said robots. Yes, we have been using robotics in electronics for many years, but he was talking about consumer robots in the home. Coming FAST! After a few days at CES with hundreds of companies showing all different kinds of robots and quoting prices about the same as mid-high-level refrigerators…I’m starting to be a believer. See the market projections (which I tend to be a bit suspect of as a rule) in the article below. Robots for everyone! 

• Humanoid Robot Market Size to Surpass USD 251.40 Billion by 2035 

Key Summary:

• EU Approves Omnibus Sustainability Revisions: The General Affairs Council advanced simplified sustainability reporting and due diligence rules.

• Reduced Scope, Extended Timelines: Fewer companies will be in scope, with adjusted implementation deadlines to ease compliance.

• Industry Advocacy Reflected: The changes align with the Global Electronics Association’s push for a streamlined, practical framework.

• Next Steps: The final text will take effect 20 days after publication, with Member States given at least 12 months to implement.

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The EU’s General Affairs Council formally approved the European Parliament’s position on the first Omnibus package revising sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements. The revised rules aim to simplify reporting obligations, adjust implementation timelines, and narrow the number of companies in scope.

The Council’s position aligns with the Global Electronics Association’s advocacy for a more streamlined sustainability framework—one that reduces complexity while strengthening environmental and social outcomes. Working in close with coordination with European electronics manufacturers, we have consistently emphasized that simplification is essential. Our engagement with EU institutions has included the submission of Association comments in September 2025 and a joint multi-association letter in November. 

The final legal text is now published in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will enter into force 20 days after publication, and Member States will have up to 12 months to transpose the provisions into national law (except for article 4 harmonization, which must be transposed by 26 July 2028). Our advocacy team is reviewing the text and will continue updating the industry on its implications. 

We welcome your insights on how your company is responding to these changes and are happy to answer any questions.