ECIA Alerts Industry on Coming EPA Ban of PIP 3:1

Atlanta – ECIA, in collaboration with NAM, is following an important EPA action that will impact component manufacturers, especially those in the supply chain for electro-mechanical components. 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 is scheduled to go into effect on March 8, 2021; timelines for enforcement have not been released at this time. The ECIA is taking steps to help members understand what the implications of the ban will be and what members should be doing now to mitigate the risk.

The chemical is used in flame retardants, adhesives, epoxy resins, lubricants, plastics processing and other areas that may impact the electronic component industry, especially those involved in electro-mechanical products. Semiconductors and passive components appear to be less likely to be impacted by the ban of this chemical.

“ECIA members should be looking into this issue now,” cautioned Don Elario, ECIA Vice President of Industry Practices. “This is a regulation that has originated in the U.S. – it is not currently on the EU list of regulated substances. However, the EPA is not likely to reverse the ban, although they are in conversation with the industry about enforcement and other issues. ECIA will be exploring resources to help members navigate this new potentially disruptive regulation.”

For more information about the EPA ban of PIP 3:1, please visit the ECIA website Issues & Practices (ecianow.org).