Who Are We?
Associations representing the electronic circuits industries in Asia, Europe and North America recently agreed to form the World Electronic Circuits Council (WECC). The WECC is a group of related industry trade associations from throughout the world that provides a forum and focus for bringing industry representatives together to address important issues that are best addressed on a global basis.
- Members and Officers
- Mission and General Rule Page
- WECC Activities
- Contact WECC
- Shows and Dates
- Standards Released Under Consideration
Members and Officers
Members of the WECC are:
- China Printed Circuit Association
- European Federation of Interconnecting and Packaging--Representing the following European national organizations: Circuit Equipment Manufacturers Association (UK); European Institute of Printed Circuits (Switzerland); Printed Circuit Interconnection Federation (UK); Groupement des Fournisseurs de l'industrie Electronique (France) and Verband Der Lieterplattenindustrie e.V. (Germany).
- India Printed Circuit Association
- IPC--Association Connecting Electronics Industries (USA)
- HKPCA Hong Kong Printed Circuit Association
- Japan Printed Circuit Association
- Taiwan Printed Circuit Association
European Federation of Interconnecting and Packaging--Representing the following European national organizations: Circuit Equipment Manufacturers Association (UK); European Institute of Printed Circuits (Switzerland); Printed Circuit Interconnection Federation (UK); Groupement des Fournisseurs de l'industrie Electronique (France) and Verband Der Lieterplattenindustrie e.V. (Germany).
Officers
WECC Secretary General: Mr. David W. Bergman of IPC
WECC Deputy Secretary General: Mr. Masato Shishido of JPCAWECC Secretary General: Mr. David W. Bergman of IPC
CEMA
CEMA (Circuit Equipment & Materials Association)
CEMA continues to be active in European matters through their membership of EFIP. CEMA has also been active in obtaining funding for UK companies wishing to market themselves overseas. This is largely due to their close relationship with the DTI. As well as funding for overseas exhibitions, funding is available for inward missions. CEMA has done this before bringing PCB fabricators from India to the UK and introducing them to members.
CPCA
China Printed Circuit Association (CPCA) is a sole national PCB trade organization under the Ministry of Information Industry of the People's Republic of China. It was established in June 1990 and up to now has 250 members who are big-and medium-sized PCB producers, manufactures of special equipment, raw and auxiliary materials, research institutes, colleges and universities from all over the country. In their ownership, the members are of state-run, collective, private, sino-foreign jointly invested and solely foreign funded.
EFIP
- The European Federation of Interconnection and Packaging (EFIP) is concerned with the PCB fabrication and assembly industries. It is a body designed to bring together the national electronics interconnection/packaging trade associations of EU member states.
EIPC
- The European Institute of Printed Circuits (EIPC), based in The Netherlands, is an international service provider to the European Interconnection and Packaging Industry.
Since 1968, the EIPC is servicing almost 200 member companies, including suppliers of machinery and materials to the PCB industry, PCB Manufacturers, contract electronics manufacturers and OEM’s.
GFIE
- Created in 1968, the GFIE(Groupement des Fournisseurs de l'industrie Electronique), a French association, gathers the industrial and commercial companies, which provide the electronics industry out of equipment, products and services. Among other activities, it co-ordinates work on issues such as equipment, consumables, the environment and education. It also covers the various aspects of environmental protection in components and electronics manufacturing industries. The GFIE fills a role of information and of council near its members and a whole of services intended proposes to them to instigate their industrial and commercial performances.
HKPCA
- The Hong Kong Printed Circuit Association’s mission and objectives are to promote and protect the rights and interests of the printed circuit industry, represent the industry and present its views to the Government and/or other parties, establish and manage funds for charity purposes, develop and strengthen internal and external communication, with a view to enhancing cooperation and business opportunities, by means of the following:
Organizing technical/business seminars and recreational functions
Gathering and distributing relevant information to members
Establishing links with overseas counterparts, such as CPCA, JPCA, TPCA, IPC, KPCA, IPCA and EFIP
IPC
- IPC started in 1957 as the Institute for Printed Circuits. In 1999, IPC changed its name from Institute of Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits to IPC. The new name is accompanied with an identity statement, Association Connecting Electronics Industries. The IPC has helped to guide the electronic interconnection industry through dramatic changes. It has been and still is the only trade association that brings together all of the players in this industry: designers, board manufacturers, assembly companies, suppliers, and original equipment manufacturers. As members of IPC, proactive participants work together to meet the challengesand ensure the future of a very important industry.
IPCA
- The Indian Printed Circuit Association popularly known as IPCA, had its humble beginning in the year 1985 when a few leading PCB technocrats met at Bombay with proclaimed preamble promote the interests and welfare of PCB industry and allied industries in general. Thus a new chapter in the history of PCB industry in this country emerged with IPCA at the helm of affairs.
The PCB technocrats who enrolled themselves as members were only fifteen to begin with. Today, with the expansion of PCB industry, the membership has risen to an impressive level of one hundred and thirty, aiming inter alia to the advancement of education and technology in science and application of electronic packaging.
This Association is the first of its kind in the country and in fact it is the only association representing the interests of the PCB manufacturers and users devoted to promote the welfare and progress of PCB Industry in this country. The Association's primary objective is to promote learning and advance education in the science and application of electronic packaging ,packaging, namely, printed circuit and inter-connection techniques. It also conducts educational training programs on PCB technology by arranging systematic courses to such trainees with the help of recognized institution /industry, with a view to making available trained manpower to the PCB industry.
JPCA
The Japan Printed Circuit Association was founded on June 16, 1962. Some types of projects that the JPCA are involved with include the following items:
Management improvement of printed circuit board manufacturing business classified by company size or area
Drafting JIS (Japan Industrial Standard)
Collaboration and cooperation with relative industrial associations, academic Societies,national, national/international institutions.
PCIF
- The PCIF is a trade federation representing the UK PCB Industry; an umbrella organization representing the Electronics Interconnection Industries in the Global Marketplace. It was formed in 1988 by the ICT and PCA as a means of representing more fully the PCB Fabricators, their Suppliers and individuals within the industry. In 1996 ACeM, the Association of Contract Electronic Manufacturers also joined the PCIF, while later additions were groups looking after the interests of Design Engineers and Assembly Suppliers.
In January 2001 PCIF merged with FEI and is now integrated into the Components & Manufacturing Business Area. The PCIF still retains its own identity and will continue to provide its membership with the same high quality services with the added benefit of now being a part of the largest Electronics Trade Federation in the UK. The merger is beneficial to members as it means that we are now a single, unified and powerful voice, which increases our effectiveness.
From the start both PCIF and FEI staff have worked closely together, building upon the program of events and services that the membership requires; immediately showing the advantages to be gained from the merger.
The PCIF is a founding member of EFIP, the European Federation of Interconnection & Packaging.
TPCA
The Taiwan Printed Circuit Association was founded in 1998. The TPCA is the only PCB industry organization approved by the government of Taiwan.
VdL
VdL supports and promotes activities, which improve the economic and political conditions for its members and the manufacturing base generally.
Mission and General Rule
WECC - World Electronic Circuits Council Mission Statement
The frequency of changes in the world economic environment and its supporting industrial structures requires ongoing investment and innovation from the World Electronic Circuits Industry to meet accelerating demands for flexibility and responsiveness.
This council will therefore provide a forum where member organizations cooperate for the benefit and improvement of the industry, through development, coordination, and implementation of strategies and programs in the fields of technology, marketing, resource development, environment, and economic/political affairs.
Once defined, this Council will also undertake to promote these activities in a spirit of responsibility towards the World Electronic Circuits Industry based on the principles of free enterprise, cooperation, and mutually rewarding coexistence.
(General rule page -pdf)
General Rules of WECC-World Electronic Circuits Council
Approved: November 20, 2000
Issue date: January 2001
Chapter 1: Purpose and Principles
Article 1: Purpose of the WECC
The purpose of the WECC is as follows:
1.1 To maintain sound development and growth of the Global Electronic Circuits Industry. In order toaccomplish this purpose, all the member organizations should definethe industry's status for each country or region and respect the other member’s positions in cooperation.
1.2 To solidify friendship and respect among the member associations based on the principle of equality and self-determination.
1.3 To undertake promotion of solutions for international problems in a spirit of responsibility towards the world electronics industries based on the principles of free enterprise, cooperation, and mutually rewarding coexistence.
1.4 To harmonize activities of the member associations by raising issues of common concern and working toward mutually acceptable resolutions.
Article 2. Principles
The WECC and the member associations who are organizing it are required to follow the below principles to achieve the purpose in Article 1.
2.1 This Council respects the sovereignty and equality of the respective member associations.
2.2 All WECC member organizations should energetically support and assist the other members of WECC in its country or region and should not harm the rights, interests, or hinder the activities of the other members through any means.
2.3 All the member associations shall honestly fulfill their duties according to this General Rules of WECC in order to guarantee future rights and benefits for all.
2.4 This WECC realizes that the frequency of changes in the world economic and industrial environment requires ongoing investment and innovation from the World Electronics Industry to meet accelerating demands for flexibility and responsiveness.
2.5This Council provides a forum where member associations from the Global Electronic Circuits Industry can cooperate for the benefit and improvement of society as a whole, through development, coordination, and implementation of strategies and programs in the fields of technology, marketing, resource development, environment, and economic/political affairs. This Council carries out the following activities for a benefit common to all the member associations organizing the Electronic Circuits Industry.
· Market Research (Information)
· Global Standardization (Technology)
· Personnel Training (Resource Development)
· Technology Development (Technology)
· Trade Affairs (Economic/Political Activity)
· Environmental Concerns (Environment)
· Trade Shows/Expos (Local Color/Originality, Technology and Information)
·World Conventions (Regional Color/Originality, Information, Technology, Management,
Resource Development, etc.
· Others as necessary
2.6When the WECC comes to the agreement to govern the activities above, a committee for each activity shall be organized by all the WECC member associations and shall be authorized to fulfill the duties.
Chapter 2: Meetings of the WECC and WECC Membership
Article 3. WECC Meeting
To promote the above activities, the WECC meetings shall be held once a year in conjunction with any international events such as CPCA Show, EPC Show, IPC Expo, JPCA Show, or TPCA Show. The Chairperson of the WECC meeting shall be appointed from the host sponsoring association. A proposal of the meeting agenda shall be prepared as consulted by the Secretary General and the Host, and it shall thereafter be sent to all the member associations for review and comment at least three months before the date of the meeting. The comment period shall be open until the week before the meeting. Minutes shall be distributed by the Secretary General to member associations within 60 days after the date of the meeting.
Article 4. Meeting Dates and Locations
The meeting date(s) and location(s) shall be established at the final meeting of the year. The official meeting invitation including meeting agenda, meeting place, schedule and hotel information shall be sent by the host organization 2 months before the meeting.
Article 5. Composition and Rules of Order
5.1 The Council shall consist of one Voting Representative from each of the WECC member organizations. Each member association shall designate their Voting Representative and Official Alternate Delegate.
5.2 Each member of the Council shall have one vote. In case of a tie, the Chairman may exercise the right to break such tie through one additional vote.
5.3 Each member association may designate one Representative from the association secretariat. The Representatives may attend all WECC meetings but shall not have voting rights unless they are the designated Proxy or Alternate Voting Representative of their association.
5.4 The Chairperson nominated by the Host Sponsoring association shall be the Voting Representative for that association at the sponsored Meeting.
5.5All the WECC member organizations shall obey the rules and guidelines described above. The WECC shall have ultimate jurisdiction over all activities under the WECC. In any case of dispute or contention, the decisions of the WECC shall prevail.
Article 6. Eligibility for Membership
This Council shall be formed by trade associations whose members are involved in the Electronic Circuits Industry. For the purpose of the General Rules, Electronic Circuits Industryis defined as Electronic Board manufacturing including Printed Wiring Boards and/or Module Boards (Packaging Boards for semiconductor devices, MCMBoards, optoelectronic modules and others); and providing Interconnection & Packaging, Electronics Manufacturing or Semiconductor Device Packaging Services. To be eligible for membership, an Association shall conform to the following requirements:
6.1 Shall be an association formed by members of the Electronic Circuits Industry and representing a specific country or region.
6.2 Shall agree in writing to abide by the General Rules and Principles adopted by the WECC.
6.3 Shall agree to provide a delegate to attend all meetings of the WECC and other committee meetings as necessary.
6.4 Shall be in a position to contribute to the activities of the WECC, and shall provide for continuity of participation in WECC meetings and activities. Failure to meet this obligation for two successive meetings shall be cause for review of the association’s membership in WECC.
6.5 Shall accept responsibility for their own association’s expenses related to participation in WECC meetings and events except as otherwise supported by the host/sponsoring organization as noted in Article 8.
6.6 Shall agree to consult the concerned WECC member to meet a mutual consensus, if a member association wishes to materialize a planned activity at another country or region than its responsible area, which the headquarters is based upon. The WECC should be informed if a mutual consensus is not achieved.
Article 7. Application/Approval Process for New Membership
7.1 WECC member associations may be national or international in scope and shall be recognized by general consensus in the Industry as viable functioning entities. The WECC welcomes and encourages new memberships. Current members in good standing are encouraged to recommend other associations as candidate members.
7.2 Candidate associations shall make a written application to the Secretary General of the WECC indicating their desire to become a member and providing demonstration of their conformance to the Eligibility for Membership in Article 6 above.
7.3 The written application may include a current Membership Directory or listing of the candidate association, a summary of activities, and should include statements listing resources, programs, or other means for compliance or agreement with Articles 1, 2, 5, and 6 above.
7.4 The Candidate Association shall provide sufficient copies of their application and supporting materials to the Secretary General to enable forwarding of the application and materials to all current WECC members in good standing.
7.5 The WECC Secretary General shall circulate the complete application and related materials to each WECC member association within 15 days of receipt of the application, along with an accept/reject ballot. Current member associations shall have 30 days to return their ballot to the Secretary General. If no negative ballots are received within 30 days, election tomember status is automatic and the new member may nominate a delegate to the WECC immediately. If any negative votes or comments are received, the matter shall be decided at the next WECC Meeting.
7.6 The Secretary General shall have the responsibility to inform the Candidate Association and voting members of the WECC in writing of all decisions relating to their application within 5 days of the close of the comment/voting period noted in 7.5.
7.7 Appeal: the decision of the WECC is final and is not subject to appeal. Unsuccessful candidates may resubmit their application after one calendar year from the date of the initial application.
Article 8. Requirements to be a Host Sponsor
8.1 A sponsor for a WECC event shall be a member of the WECC