What does the U.S. military need from EMS providers both now and in the future? Which certifications are critical to becoming a supplier to the military? What are the best practices for managing export controls and developing an anti-counterfeit parts program? Providing answers to these questions and many of the complex challenges faced by EMS suppliers to the military will be the focus of the IPC Conference for the North American EMS Industry: What It Takes to Supply the Military, September 15, 2010, at the Embassy Suites Washington D.C. - Convention Center.

Designed for decision makers in the EMS industry, as well as representatives from OEMs, PCB fabricators and suppliers, the conference will offer essential, up-to-date information from noted experts to help EMS companies understand what the military needs from them, the important steps they need to take to comply with government restrictions, and how to obtain proper certifications to become an in-demand supplier. Presentations will include insights from a military OEM; strategies for controlling counterfeit parts; ways to best navigate the complexities of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) compliance; an overview of a military road map for the electronics assembly industry; and discussion about the IPC Intellectual Property Standard.

With the Obama administration's National Export Initiative calling for a doubling of exports over the next five years, Robert Davis, Vice President of Excelerate, warns, "This area of export regulation is changing, so people really need to pay attention." Much of the complexity involves the government's regulations set in place to protect or control the export of U.S. defense information, articles and services. Davis' session, "Solving the Challenges of Export Restrictions," will examine the many ways that companies run afoul of government restrictions in regards to defense exports.

Along similar lines of providing critical guidance to EMS companies, Penumbra Strategies President Steve DeWaters will share his specialized knowledge of military and aerospace research in a session shedding light on the critical, niche certifications--from the obvious to the obscure--needed to work with the military.

Addressing the growing problem of counterfeiting, Bruce Mahone, Director of Washington operations in the aerospace division at SAE International, will share insights into how EMS companies can develop counterfeit parts control plans. Mahone's presentation will cover the specific standards that have been designed for use by military manufacturers and contractors to help mitigate the risk of receiving and installing counterfeit parts.

Counterfeit components are not the only intellectual property (IP) that concerns the Department of Defense. Fern Abrams, IPC Director of Government Relations and Environmental Policy, will provide an update on the IPC standard currently in development to protect IP during the manufacture of PCBs. With both the commercial and government sectors' interest in protecting IP through supplier requirements and audits, the new standard is expected to elevate best practices in IP protection.