In the U.S., the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the chemical phenol, isopropylated, phosphate (3:1) (PIP 3:1) poses a risk to the public and has banned the use of the chemical. The ban was scheduled to go into effect on March 8, 2021 under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Due to the incredibly short compliance window and because PIP has not been regulated elsewhere in the world, it posed a major challenge to identify its potential presence in supply chains.

ECIA has learned that according to DC law firm Arnold and Porter, the EPA has just submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for expedited review, what is expected to emerge as an Interim Final Rule that will amend the regulatory deadlines in the final PIP (3:1) rule. This agency appears to want to make this rule public by September 4th, when the FAA rule expires. 

For more information about this regulation, visit PIP (3:1) (ecianow.org).

The E.U.’s SCIP database directive went into effect in January of this year. Companies around the world, including those in the U.S., are now impacted by this new regulatory requirement to submit data to the “Substances of Concern In articles, as such or in complex objects (Products) (SCIP)” database. While mandatory for those in the European Union (EU), U.S. companies are facing data requests from their European customers so that they can meet their SCIP obligations

One of the goals of the SCIP database requirement is to get much closer to achieving a circular economy. The directive aims at reducing waste and protecting the environment from poisonous materials by compiling data about hazardous materials in products that are entering the waste stream. The database is intended to be used by waste stream managers, so they can identify harmful chemicals and learn which products contain those chemicals. 

ECIA has posted a recording of a webinar on this topic, conducted by Assent Compliance. On this webinar, Assent’s SCIP experts, Steven Andrews and Neil Smith provide critical, industry-specific details on what companies throughout the electronic components supply chain need to know. “For those managers familiar with the REACH directive, there are substantial differences in the objectives of this new mandate,” explained Neil Smith. “REACH is the starting point, but SCIP extends much further.”

Topics covered in this webinar include:

• The EU Waste Framework Directive and SCIP database.
• How SCIP is different from the REACH Regulation.
• How a U.S. company can submit information to the database.
• Update on any future enforcement activities.

To access the recording of this important webinar visit Webinars (ecianow.org).

About ECIA

The Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA) is made up of the leading electronic component manufacturers, their manufacturer representatives and authorized distributors. ECIA members share a common goal of promoting and improving the business environment for the authorized sale of electronic components. Comprised of a broad array of leaders and professionals representing all phases of the electronics components supply chain, ECIA is where business optimization, product authentication and industry advocacy come together. ECIA members develop industry guidelines and technical standards, as well as generate critical business intelligence. For more information, visit www.ecianow.org or call 678-393-9990.