OnTrack: The PCB Design Podcast

Sustainability in electronics encompasses environmental, social, and corporate governance aspects, and IPC aims to make it easier for companies by providing standards, education, and advocacy to navigate these complex issues.

In this episode, we are very pleased to have Kelly Scanlon of IPC to enlighten us about the importance of sustainability in the electronics industry and how you can contribute as a PCB designer.

Watch this episode here.

Show Highlights:

• Introduction to Kelly Scanlon, the Lead Sustainability Strategist at IPC
• Kelly talks about her role at IPC and her background before landing her current position
• Kelly explains that sustainability covers environmental, social, and corporate governance
• The European Union (EU) has been leaders in producing policies that have real opportunities for environmental change, in the space of sustainability
• What are the ways can companies prove their compliance to sustainability?
• Environmental sustainability in the electronics industry has well-defined processes and regulations, like the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) making it easier to manage and communicate compliance
• Social sustainability poses greater challenges as there is no clear process and requires multidimensional teams to address issues like worker health, labor practices, and corporate governance
• Vendor checklists and assessments are used to vet suppliers, but there is a need for increased transparency and honesty in supply chains
• Companies rely on policies and regulations to ensure compliance throughout the supply chain and are pushing for accountability and reliability from their suppliers
• Kelly Scanlon emphasizes the need for a strong community and collaboration to address environmental, social, and governance sustainability in the electronics industry.
• Designers play a crucial role in driving sustainable practices by incorporating conscientious and intentional lifecycle management in their design decisions, and by advocating to manufacturers to prioritize sustainability
• Designers can make their voices heard by reaching out to IPC and participating in workshops, case studies, and events focused on sustainability
• IPC formed its Sustainability for Electronics Leadership Council, a team with diverse geographic background and diverse supply chain background that come together sharing their insights and expertise
• Designers and manufacturers are encouraged to connect with Kelly, ask questions, contribute your expertise, and to actively advocate sustainability efforts in the electronics industry