Semiconductors

European Parliament Schedules 19 May 2026 Vote on Revised Screening of Foreign Investments

In May 2026 the European Parliament will hold a 19 May plenary vote, expected to give final parliamentary approval to revised EU rules for screening foreign investments into strategic sectors such as defence, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical raw materials and financial services. If adopted, these rules will harden and harmonise national screening requirements, widen the range of transactions scrutinised for security and public-order risks, and could slow or reshape cross-border deals, making early investment-structure and regulatory-clearance planning critical for affected groups.

16 May 2026, 14:55europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

European Parliament To Hold Final Vote On New EU Foreign Investment Screening Regulation

The European Parliament signalled in a May 2026 pre-session briefing that its plenary is expected to give final approval to a new EU regulation tightening screening of foreign investments in strategic sectors such as defence, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical raw materials and financial services. If adopted as proposed, this will make EU-wide foreign investment screening a routine compliance gate for cross-border deals in these sectors, with more harmonised criteria and closer EU-level coordination around security and public-order risks.

15 May 2026, 18:34europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Parliament Draft Regulation on Screening of Foreign Investments in Strategic Sectors

In May 2026 the European Parliament published Amendment 299 containing its full draft regulation to replace the EU’s foreign direct investment screening framework, significantly widening mandatory screening across dual-use technologies, semiconductors, strategic raw materials, critical infrastructure and critical medicines with an 18‑month transition period after entry into force. If adopted broadly as drafted, this will tighten scrutiny of foreign investments into EU chemical, technology and healthcare assets, increasing the likelihood that transactions involving strategic inputs or critical products will require prior authorisation, face coordinated multi-country conditions, or in high-risk cases be blocked.

12 May 2026, 18:13europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

European Parliament ITRE Mission Report on EU–Japan Cooperation in Semiconductors, Batteries and Critical Raw Materials

The European Parliament’s ITRE Committee has published a mission report on its late‑March 2026 visit to Tokyo, highlighting EU–Japan cooperation on semiconductors, batteries, hydrogen and critical raw materials, and the importance of resilient, diversified supply chains over the coming years. For manufacturers and suppliers, this is a non‑binding but credible signal that forthcoming EU industrial, trade and energy policy will continue to prioritise secure access to strategic technologies and raw materials, deepening partnerships with Japan and potentially accelerating initiatives on battery, semiconductor and critical‑minerals value chains.

9 May 2026, 07:20europarl.europa.euEuropean UnionJapan

California Senate Advances SB 1306 on Gamma‑Butyrolactone (GBL) Mixture Exemptions to Third Reading

California lawmakers are advancing SB 1306, which would add Section 11112 to the Health and Safety Code to exempt defined low-concentration gamma-butyrolactone mixtures from existing state precursor permitting, reporting, and billing requirements. If enacted, this alignment with federal exemptions would ease compliance burdens for chemical suppliers and semiconductor manufacturers using GBL mixtures in California while leaving federal Controlled Substances Act controls on higher-risk formulations in place.

1 May 2026, 17:57leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

Canada Proposes Export Control List Amendments For Semiconductors And Advanced Manufacturing

Canada has proposed amendments to its Export Control List to add new controls on advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment, high-performance integrated circuits, FPGA boards, and certain metal powders used in additive manufacturing, with a 30-day consultation running until 25 May 2026. If adopted, exporters (other than to the United States) will face new permit obligations for these technologies, signalling tighter national security export controls that could shape future semiconductor and advanced manufacturing supply chains.

30 Apr 2026, 06:45gazette.gc.caCanada

US House Committee Advances BIS License Administration Enhancement Act

In April 2026 the US House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced H.R. 8284, the Bureau of Industry and Security License Administration Enhancement Act, which would amend the Export Control Reform Act to formalise BIS export-licence processes, strengthen oversight of presumption-of-denial cases, and expand technical advisory committees on critical technologies. If enacted, this would increase transparency and predictability for dual-use export licensing—especially for advanced chips, biotechnologies and other sensitive technologies—and signal continued tightening of US export controls affecting trade with key adversary states.

29 Apr 2026, 18:18congress.govUnited States

California SB 1306 Proposes Exemptions for Gamma-Butyrolactone Mixtures

California lawmakers are considering SB 1306, which would exempt certain low-concentration gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) mixtures from existing precursor chemical permitting and reporting requirements, with a Senate Appropriations hearing scheduled for late April 2026. If enacted, this change would ease compliance burdens for semiconductor and other industrial users of GBL mixtures while leaving controls on neat GBL intact, so affected companies should monitor the bill’s progress and be ready to reassess reporting obligations.

23 Apr 2026, 12:40leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

California Senate Public Safety Committee Advances SB 1306 on Gamma-Butyrolactone Mixture Exemptions

On 14 April 2026, a key California Senate committee advanced SB 1306, a bill to exempt certain low-concentration gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) mixtures from state precursor reporting and permitting requirements. If enacted, semiconductor and other industrial users could see reduced compliance burden for qualifying GBL mixtures while higher-risk formulations and federal controlled-substance obligations remain unaffected.

21 Apr 2026, 13:26leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

California Senate Schedules Hearing on SB1306 Exempting Certain GBL Mixtures From Precursor Reporting

California is advancing SB 1306, a bill that would exempt defined low-concentration gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) mixtures from state precursor chemical permitting and certain reagent-reporting rules, with a Senate committee hearing scheduled for 14 April 2026. If enacted, this change would ease compliance burdens for semiconductor and other industrial users of GBL in California while leaving existing controls on neat GBL and other controlled precursors unchanged.

15 Apr 2026, 15:37leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

China Adds New XB/T and YS/T Industry Standards for Rare Earths, Non‑Ferrous Metals and Semiconductor Materials

China has implemented new industry standards for rare earths, battery electrolytes, and semiconductor materials, formalizing technical specifications and analytical methods. Supply chain participants must align quality control and testing protocols with these updated requirements to maintain compliance for critical minerals and electronic components.

6 Apr 2026, 18:44hbba.sacinfo.org.cnChina

European Parliament Publishes Study On Chinese Industrial Overcapacity In Key Green-Tech Sectors

The European Parliament has released a strategic analysis of Chinese industrial overcapacity across the battery, hydrogen, semiconductor, and robotics sectors. This signals a shift toward more assertive EU trade-defense measures and protectionist industrial policies aimed at securing domestic green-tech supply chains and reducing reliance on Chinese imports.

2 Apr 2026, 17:46europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Secretariat-General Issues SEC(2026) 2561 Indicative Agenda For April–May 2026 Meetings

The European Commission has released its indicative agenda for April and May 2026, prioritizing legislative initiatives on energy security, technological sovereignty, and regulatory enforcement. Forthcoming proposals on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and electrification signal a shift toward more assertive industrial policy and stricter enforcement, requiring early strategic alignment.

27 Mar 2026, 19:32ec.europa.euEuropean Union

South Korea Establishes Task Force To Respond To EU PFAS Restriction Plan

South Korea has established a joint government-industry task force to coordinate a strategic response to the EU's impending PFAS restrictions. This initiative signals intensified state support for PFAS substitution and proactive trade diplomacy to protect critical semiconductor, battery, and automotive supply chains.

27 Mar 2026, 07:54en.yna.co.krSouth KoreaEuropean Union

EU Council Working Paper Presents Joint Communication on Strengthening Economic Security

The European Union is accelerating its economic security framework to halve strategic dependencies by 2029 through the ResourceEU Action Plan and enhanced supply chain monitoring. Companies in critical sectors must prioritize supply chain transparency and diversify sourcing toward trusted partners to mitigate increasing geopolitical and regulatory risks.

27 Mar 2026, 07:53data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Answer Clarifies Chips Act 2 Scope for Printed Circuit Boards and Refers to Cybersecurity Act 2

The European Commission confirmed printed circuit boards are in scope for the upcoming Chips Act 2 and introduced new ICT supply chain security mandates under the proposed Cybersecurity Act 2. Electronics manufacturers should anticipate expanded investment incentives alongside stricter vetting requirements for components and services sourced from high-risk third-country suppliers.

26 Mar 2026, 19:23europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

ECHA SEAC Publishes SEAC-69 Minutes On Octocrilene, Chromium(VI) And PFAS Restrictions

ECHA has advanced socio-economic assessments for major REACH restrictions on PFAS, Chromium(VI), and Octocrilene, with key draft opinions scheduled for March 2026. Affected industries in electronics, aerospace, and cosmetics should prioritize impact assessments to influence derogation discussions and prepare for mandatory substitution timelines.

26 Mar 2026, 12:20echa.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Publishes 'Headwinds and Springboards for EU Industry' Brief

The European Commission’s March 2026 industrial brief identifies energy-intensive sectors and supply chain dependencies as critical vulnerabilities for EU competitiveness. Businesses should prepare for a more interventionist industrial policy focused on securing critical raw materials, scaling clean-tech manufacturing, and streamlining regulatory burdens.

26 Mar 2026, 12:19single-market-economy.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

US Trade Representative Initiates Section 301 Investigations on Structural Excess Capacity in Manufacturing Sectors

The USTR has initiated Section 301 investigations into 16 trading partners to address structural excess manufacturing capacity in sectors including chemicals, batteries, and semiconductors. This action signals a major escalation in US trade defense that could lead to significant tariffs or market access restrictions, requiring urgent supply chain risk assessments and cost modeling.

18 Mar 2026, 16:00public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

EU Commission Grants Open EU Foundry Status to 'Project Vulcan' Under Chips Act

The European Commission has formally designated Project Vulcan as an open EU foundry, marking a significant expansion of domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity under the EU Chips Act. This designation provides the project with strategic priority and streamlined permitting, strengthening the regional supply chain and reducing reliance on external chip production.

14 Mar 2026, 08:01ec.europa.euEuropean Union