Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/623116
50 The PCB Magazine • January 2016 ny are great models that should be emulated in other regions and nations. Advocating for Smart Regulation Manufacturers in many parts of the world face a complex and overwhelming regulatory compliance burden, negatively impacting their abilities to develop innovative technology, cre- ate jobs and compete in a global marketplace. IPC members favor a regulatory environment that justly balances risks, costs and benefits based on the best available scientific research. Specifically, that means we will be engaging in the conflict minerals debate in all of our re- gions, and working for sensible updates of en- vironmental regulations such as the Toxic Sub- stances Control Act in the United States. Promoting a 21 st Century Economy and Workforce Above and beyond policies that directly affect manufacturing, IPC encourages governments to support broad-based economic growth and competitiveness. For example, IPC advocates for corporate tax rates and incentives that stimulate business investment, and we favor a reduction of trade barriers between countries. IPC—itself a provider of many education and training oppor - tunities—endorses government-backed work- force development initiatives and strong pro- grams in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. We also support immigration policies that allow for international mobility among highly skilled workers. Those are just a few of IPC's New Year's reso- lutions to help our members and the $2 trillion global electronics industry survive and thrive amid many challenges. Aside from government relations, IPC is a leading source for industry standards, training, and market research, and we are one of the few trade associations that brings together all of the players in this industry: design - ers, board manufacturers, assembly companies, suppliers, and original equipment manufacturers. If you or someone you know would be inter- ested in joining IPC and getting involved in our government relations work, please contact me via LinkedIn, Twitter, or email. PCB References 1. NextFlex. 2. IPC Political Action Committee. 3. IPC Global Policy Framework. NEW YEAR, NEW OUTLOOK FOR THE ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY Figure 2: representative Dold with ipc's John mitchell and John hasselmann at impact 2015. Figure 3: a meeting between a member of congress and ipc-member executives at impact 2015. John Hasselman is Vp, government relations for ipc— association connecting electronics industries. article