The electronics industry is growing, which is why one of the biggest associations that represents it has to grow too. IPC-The Association Connecting Electronics Industries is expanding its government relations outreach. IPC president/CEO John Mitchell recently hired John Hasselmann to run government relations in the association’s new DC office, which recently moved from Arlington, Va. Among its policy priorities are conflict minerals and the Toxic Substances Control Act reform. The legislative team will add another person this month and IPC recently formed a PAC. John Mitchell, who’s based in IPC’s HQ in Banncockburn, Ill., is coming to DC more often.

IPC, which also develops manufacturing standards, recently weighed in on an SEC rule that requires companies to inspect their supply chains for tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold for ties to the conflicts in the Congo. The organization recently testified on TSCA reform, expressing concern that some of the regs discourage recycling. The organization now has over 3,500 member companies and plans to grow by 40% by 2017.