by Kelly Scanlon, director, EHS policy and research
This week marks the annual observance of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, coordinated by the International Labor Organization (ILO).
In this report, you will find U.S. and European data on economic growth, employment, Manufacturer’s Sentiment (PMI) and end markets for electronics.
This week, IPC played a role in two different presentations offered by two different organizations on one common theme: the need for accurate, workable exchange of data about substances in products throughout the supply chain.
By Chris Mitchell, vice president, global government relations
IPC APEX EXPO is always a fascinating kaleidoscope of electronics manufacturing excellence, and APEX EXPO 2020 was no exception.
Most of the show’s content is relatively technical in nature.
Electronics manufacturers anticipate at least a five-week product shipment delay from suppliers due to the coronavirus epidemic, according to a survey conducted by IPC. Shipping delays from China and other countries where the virus has spread are already having negative impacts on manufacturers.
Roughly 65 percent of manufacturers report their suppliers expect, on average, a three-week delay.
by Shawn DuBravac, IPC chief economist
Over the last year, electronics manufacturers have been adjusting their supply chains, driven by a variety of factors but especially trade tensions between the United States and China and the growing expectation that higher tariffs between the U.S. and its partners may be “the new normal.”
More recently, the coronavirus epidemic that originated in China and now is sweeping the world is driving further decoupling between China and the United States.
As health officials around the globe struggle to “flatten the curve” of coronavirus cases, the electronics manufacturing industry continues to face ambiguous operating restrictions, uncertain economic conditions, abnormalities in supply chains, and greater gaps in the workforce.
Over the past week, IPC has continued to monitor the health of the electronics manufacturing industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including an ongoing series of calls with member company executives.
By Kelly Scanlon, director, environment, health and safety policy and research, IPC
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released “scoping documents” for its upcoming reviews of certain high-priority chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 6(b).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oelcap1qA_Y
John Mitchell, IPC president and CEO, provides information on how IPC and the electronics manufacturing industry are responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
by Chris Mitchell, vice president, global government relations
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has prioritized the review of Section 301 exclusion requests related to the U.S. response to COVID-19. In March, USTR granted approximately 200 separate exclusions primarily covering personal protective equipment products and other medical-care related products.
On March 20, USTR published in the Federal Register a request for comment on additional 301 exclusions necessary to combat COVID-19. The docket for comment will remain open until June 25 and will be extended as appropriate.