Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1543584
MARCH 2026 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 27 Reach out to DianaRadovan@electronics. org to coordinate with regulators so we can speak with one voice on PFAS restrictions for electronics. The Association will submit industry-consolidated comments to the ECHA SEAC consultation and we are collab- orating with companies and other electron- ics associations worldwide to ensure that key messages are consolidated in Europe and beyond. Conclusion A proportionate, risk-based, regulatory-coherent approach worldwide is needed to address the use of function-critical PFAS in electronics, particularly fluoropolymers and other PFAS for which no techni- cally viable alternatives exist today. At the same time, electronics companies need to start collecting specific evidence regarding the socio-economic impact of PFAS restrictions in elec- tronics and act as one voice through the Global Electronics Association during the upcoming ECHA SEAC consultation. The Association is advocating for global policy and regulatory coherence and for smarter regula- tions on behalf of the electronics industry. Dr. Diana Radovan is direc- tor of sustainability policy for the Global Electronics Association. Read our full PFAS position here. A summary of recent PFAS survey results is included at the end of the position. Contact DianaRadovan@electronics.org to actively engage in PFAS advocacy work. A Faster Path to Funded Workforce Training in California California's workforce demands are evolving rapidly, and so are the tools available to help employ- ers keep pace. The California Employment Training Panel (ETP) remains one of the state's most effective yet often underutilized funding mechanisms for employee upskill- ing. It is designed to strengthen California's competitive- ness, and ETP reimburses eligible employers for the cost of job-related training that enhances worker productivity, retention, and advancement. Building on this opportunity, the Global Electron- ics Association was recently awarded a Multiple Employer Contract (MEC) with ETP, creating a stream- lined pathway for California-based electronics manu- facturing employers to access training funds with significantly reduced administrative burden. Through our MEC, employers can leverage the Association's industry-recognized training and certification prepa- ratory programs while having a portion or most of their training costs covered or offset by ETP funding. For employers facing tight margins, rapid technologi- BY VICTORIA HAWKINS, GLOBAL ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION cal change, and ongoing talent shortages, this support can translate into meaningful savings and faster work- force readiness. To help employers take full advantage of this oppor- tunity, the Association will host an in-person ETP infor- mation and onboarding session on Monday, March 16 at APEX EXPO. This session is designed specifi- cally for California electronics manufacturers who want practical, actionable guidance, not just theory. We will demonstrate how the ETP program works, eligibility requirements, real-world training use cases, and, most importantly, begin the onboarding process onsite. For California employers looking to invest in their workforce while controlling costs, the combination of ETP funding, MEC, and on-site onboarding at APEX EXPO represents a timely and powerful opportunity to turn workforce training into a competitive advantage. Victoria Hawkins is director of workforce grants and funding.