On the eve of IPC Day EMS Europe, more than 90 executives from leading EMS and PCB manufacturing companies came together aboard the elegant Onyx cruise ship for the EMS Presidents’ Dinner. Hosted by the Global Electronics Association in partnership with in4ma and IFTEC, the exclusive evening offered a unique mix of networking, knowledge exchange, and cultural experience. 

In welcoming remarks, Philippe Leonard, the Director for the Association in Europe, highlighted the importance of collaboration across the electronics ecosystem at a time when the industry faces increasing complexity and global challenges. His message set the tone: strengthening connections to drive innovation, resilience, and growth in Europe’s EMS sector.

Beyond the dialogue, the event provided attendees with an unforgettable backdrop. The setting reminded participants that business relationships, like the city itself, are strengthened by history, vision, and renewal.

The EMS Presidents’ Dinner framed the next day’s IPC Day EMS Europe event at the Astrolab in the Musée de la Marine in Paris, where attendees shared deeper technical discussions, strategic insights, and industry alignment. 

60% of the 100+ attendees were C-level executives: CEOs, CTOs, owners, and senior leaders from Europe’s leading EMS and PCB manufacturing companies. This impressive representation reinforced the importance of IPC Day EMS Europe as a strategic forum for leadership-driven dialogue. Whether through advancing technical standards, addressing labor market realities, or reinforcing Europe’s strategic position in global supply chains, the day showcased both the urgency and opportunity ahead.

From the opening keynote to the final expert panel, the agenda covered the most pressing issues shaping the future of electronics in Europe:

1. Supply chain resilience and regional consolidation

2. Advanced electronics packaging and innovation

3. Workforce development and talent acquisition

4. Sustainability, standardization, and advocacy

The Global Electronics Association would like to thank all sponsors, attendees, and staff for making this event a success.

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Photo Credits: Jean Haeusser

Event Photos

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In March 2026, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is expected to launch the much-awaited consultation on the draft opinion on PFAS restrictions issued by its Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC). The consultation will be open for 60 calendar days (not working days). The consultation will use a structured survey format (the Global Electronics Association will run a consolidated survey and consolidate input on behalf of members), covering both general questions on the SEAC draft opinion and specific questions on the SEAC evaluation by sector (for 14 sectors, including electronics and semiconductors). Stakeholders will be asked to provide input on:

• Potential impacts of restricting PFAS across sectors, e.g., repercussions of non-use scenarios such as no impact, closure of operations, relocation, or substitution of PFAS
• Availability and feasibility of alternatives
• Information on missed uses and derogations, where relevant to socio-economic aspects.

Please note the following:

• Feedback will be entered directly into the survey fields, i.e. attachments will not be accepted
• Confidential information will be treated appropriately if clearly flagged as confidential
• Information on PFAS risks will not be considered, as these are assessed separately by RAC
• The consultation will focus only on SEAC’s opinion, not on the entire background document.

The consultation will be open to all interested parties. Stakeholders are encouraged to start preparing to ensure SEAC’s final opinion will be robust and fit-for-purpose. Of note, ECHA will hold an online information session on 30 October 2025, with further details and consultation guidelines to be published on its website. Additionally, ECHA will confirm the exact start date of the consultation in March 2026, and additional guidance may be provided to help stakeholders with their submissions. After reviewing the feedback, SEAC is expected to adopt its final opinion by the end of 2026. This step will conclude the scientific evaluation by ECHA’s committees of the proposed PFAS restriction and will be followed by the submission of the dossier to the European Commission.

The Commission has reaffirmed its intention to adopt a strict, science-based ban, but will allow time-limited exemptions for critical uses without alternatives. While NGOs call for fast action, industry warns of major supply chain disruptions if transition timelines are too short. Why this matters:

• The restriction could redefine entire product portfolios
• Supply chains will need full transparency on PFAS content
• R&D for alternative substances will accelerate – but time is short and, for many PFAS uses in electronics, in particular function-essential fluoropolymers, alternatives may not be feasible.

The Association urges members to become familiar with the current ECHA Draft Background Document (note: it is not yet final, but some members have already identified missed uses for specific electronics application) and to start considering how gaps identified by SEAC can be addressed, in line with the anticipated content of the future survey and the type of questions that it will include. The Association will have a face-to-face informal meeting with SEAC in Brussels in mid-October. 

Members are invited to send their questions for the SEAC to DianaRadovan@electronics.org by 26 September 2025 EOD.  

Read more on ECHA's webpage and contact DianaRadovan@electronics.org for follow-up. 

By Kelly Scanlon, Lead Sustainability Strategist, Global Electronics Association

Last week, I had the privilege of representing the Global Electronics Association’s Evolve program at SERI’s e-Summit, a dynamic gathering of companies, regulators, designers, manufacturers, recyclers, and other stakeholders across the electronics lifecycle. 

Our purpose was clear and fulfilled: Introduce Evolve, our sustainability program, and connect with peers across the supply chain – especially those focused on electronics recycling, refurbishment, and reuse. The conversations we had reinforced that there is a real and pressing need to connect industry with industry to “close the loop.” Sustainability is more than an initiative; it is the shared vehicle that can unite us in a common cause.

Generating Ideas Together

The summit sparked ideas we’ll be exploring further: carving out dedicated spaces at APEX EXPO 2026 for circularity conversations, workshops that bring policy and technology leaders together, facility tours, and advocacy opportunities. Most importantly, recyclers made it clear that they want direct engagement with designers and manufacturers – the beginning of stronger customer-supplier relationships that help keep valuable materials in play.

Building New Bridges

We made valuable connections with CEOs and leaders at Panasonic, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the REMADE® Institute, ReMA, and others. Just as important, we had meaningful conversations with partner associations like Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Consumer Technology Association (CTA), and SERI about ways to collaborate in helping our industry achieve circularity.

Yet, there is still a demand for more connections. Many participants expressed interest in attending future Association events, learning alongside different parts of the ecosystem, and ensuring their portion of the lifecycle is represented in these conversations.

What We Learned

Several themes emerged at e-Summit that should shape our work ahead:

• Membership matters. People want to join the Global Electronics Association because we represent every segment of the electronics ecosystem – companies producing materials, printed circuit boards, wire and cable, components, and the assemblers, suppliers, and manufacturers of final products.
• Conversations are critical. Whether at our own flagship tradeshow and conference APEX EXPO, Climate Week NYC, or Pan-European Electronics Design Conference (PEDC), people want spaces to talk, share, and learn from each other.
• Challenges remain. Data gaps and limited connections between recyclers and electronics designers/manufacturers are major barriers to achieving circularity.

Closing the Loop

The Evolve program exhibited in the expo hall at eSummit; one of the most popular features was our Closing the Loop map. Using a simple bulletin board and push pins, attendees indicated the stages of the electronics life cycle their companies represent. Many had multiple pins, reflecting participation in more than one stage. This exercise not only showed who was at eSummit, but also highlighted who wasn’t -- and underscored the importance of having all life cycle stages represented.

We emphasized the many opportunities to “re” -- repair, remanufacture, recycle, reprocess – at every stage of electronics’ journey. The goal is simple but ambitious: thwart e-waste by ensuring that products, components, and materials are used as long as possible and then regenerated as secondary materials ready for renewed use.

Looking Ahead

The conversations we began at e-Summit must continue. 

We see enormous potential at APEX EXPO 2026 to replicate and expand on the Closing the Loop concept, bringing all parts of the electronics life cycle together in one place. By creating space for conversation, collaboration, and partnership, we can accelerate circularity and reduce e-waste—together.

At e-Summit, I witnessed firsthand the industry’s appetite for connection and commitment to sustainability. Now, it’s on us to build on that momentum and continue closing the loop.

by Diana Radovan, Director, Sustainability Policy

The Global Electronics Association has joined more than 100 industry associations in urging Congress to adopt pragmatic updates to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In a joint letter, the coalition called for a regulatory framework that safeguards human health and the environment while supporting supply chain stability and innovation in U.S. electronics manufacturing.

The coalition recommends several actions to strengthen TSCA, including:

• Establishing timely and predictable reviews of new chemicals

• Preventing unnecessary regulatory hurdles, such as the excessive use of Consent Orders and Significant New Use Rules which can discourage adoption of innovative, sustainable chemistries

• Applying a risk-based approach to regulation that reflects real-world uses and intended applications

• Clarifying and reinforcing scientific standards for determining “the weight of the scientific evidence”

• Enhancing transparency across TSCA sections related to testing, petitions, and data sharing

For more information, please contact me at DianaRadovan@electronics.org.

by Diana Radovan, Director, Sustainability Policy

The EU recently embedded circular economy principles into law. These new rules require industry to integrate reuse, recycling, and resource efficiency directly into design and end-of-life management for the first time. 

Key highlights are:
Circular by design: 
New vehicles must allow easy removal of parts and components for reuse, recycling, remanufacturing, or refurbishing.

Mandatory recycled content: 
Within six years, 20% of plastics in vehicles must be recycled material, rising to 25% within 10 years (with future targets for steel and aluminum).

Extended producer responsibility: 
Manufacturers will cover the costs of collecting and treating end-of-life vehicles.

Export restrictions: 
Clearer rules on distinguishing between used and end-of-life vehicles, with bans on exporting the latter outside of the EU.

The new rules will fundamentally reshape the lifecycle of cars in Europe. There are 285.6 million vehicles on EU roads, of which 6.5 million will reach their end-of-life this year. 

Through this measure, circularity is no longer a voluntary sustainability goal, but a legal obligation. This shift aims to strengthen Europe’s resource security, reduce environmental impacts, and create a more sustainable automotive industry.

Contact me at DianaRadovan@electronics.org for more information.