ESIA represents the interests of the semiconductor industry to the European Institutions as well as other relevant stakeholders. Our advocacy activities, both at the European and International levels, cover a large number of areas relevant to the further growth of the rapidly evolving semiconductor industry.
ESIA activities include a large range of issues across the regulatory framework, such as industrial competitiveness, international trade, research and development, environmental and safety compliance, protection of intellectual property and anti-counterfeiting etc.
ESIA Members work in a number of committees:
Sustainability & Environment, Safety and Health
The European semiconductor industry cooperates on common environmental challenges through the ESH Committee. The committee focuses on engaging in policy issues related to the development of environmental legislation, its implementation and regulatory compliance issues affecting the industry manufacturing operations, and semiconductor products at both European and global level.
Competitiveness & Innovation
ESIA advocates for strengthening the dialogue between industry and EU institutions to establish the right framework conditions for investments and reach a global level playing field vis-à-vis other regions of semiconductor production. The Competitiveness & Innovation Committee seeks close collaboration with EU institutions for the proper implementation of the “EU Chips Act”.
Their ubiquity render semiconductors critical components for Europe’s technological sovereignty and achieving the landmark digital and green transitions.
International Trade
ESIA aims to facilitate cooperation between its members and to proactively represent the European semiconductor industry’s priorities related to international trade at both the European and global level. The elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, export controls, the regular update of the international customs classification to reflect technological developments, are some of the topics that play an important role. ESIA advocates for open markets for all semiconductor products, including e.g., encryption semiconductors, as well as further liberalisation in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO), more specifically the Information Technology Agreement (ITA).
Intellectual Property
The semiconductor industry is one of the most R&D intensive industries. In such an environment Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) are essential to protect innovations and to ascertain that newly developed technology can be kept proprietary and, if desired, be exchanged against an appropriate compensation.
Anti-Counterfeiting
Semiconductor counterfeiting can create significant implications for national critical infrastructure and the safety, security and health of communities and the end consumers. ESIA is active together with its members, customs officials and other relevant stakeholders to tackle this issues.