Global Semiconductor Industry wants to be specified as “essential infrastructure” and/or “essential business"

On 27 March, worldwide semiconductor associations, including SIA and ESIA, published a statement in which they called on global governments at all levels to define the semiconductor industry as “essential infrastructure” and/or “essential business”. This includes its R&D, manufacturing operations, and its supply chain. Thus, governments should prioritise continued operations for their domestic semiconductor companies and their suppliers.  

The semiconductor associations underline that semiconductors are crucial components for technologies in healthcare and medical devices, water systems, energy grids, transportation, communication networks, and the financial system. They highlight the increasing importance of digitalisation in this period of COVID-19 crisis.