Public Advocacy

Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI)

The SEMI is a global electronic manufacturing supply chain industry association, with over 3,000 members. ASEH is actively involved in public policy initiatives and highly supportive of international SEMI events, the promotion of collective interests, and the focus on education, business, technology and sustainable development. As a member of SEMI for over 2 decades, ASE has gradually stepped up and taken the leadership to drive impactful agendas and direct the industry towards achieving common goals. We have undertaken important roles in many of SEMI’s committees, serving positions such as the vice chairman of the International Board of Directors’ Executive Committees, chair of SEMI Taiwan Packaging and Testing Committee and honorary vice chair of SEMI Taiwan Smart Manufacturing Committee. We are also a member of the MEMS & SENSORS Committee, High-Tech Green Manufacturing Committee, Semiconductor Materials Committee, FlexTech Committee, Test Committee, Semiconductor Cybersecurity Committee, and Sustainable Manufacturing Committee. The key SEMI initiatives of 2023 are as follows:

• SEMI Semiconductor Climate Consortium (SCC). ASE is a founding member of the SEMI Semiconductor Climate Consortium, established in November 2022. The SCC is the first global consortium formed by companies across the semiconductor value chain to accelerate the ecosystem’s reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. By the end of 2023, the SCC had garnered the participation of over 85 founding corporate members. SCC member companies pledge to support the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C as stipulated by the Paris Agreement and related protocols. The SCC released its first white paper on greenhouse gas emissions in the semiconductor industry ecosystem. The white paper provided detailed analyses of the carbon footprint across the semiconductor value chain that is useful for the industry to continuously develop ways to reduce the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions. At COP28, SEMI announced the establishment of the SCC Energy Collaborative (SCC-EC), with 10 founding members including ASE and TSMC. The EC is dedicated to understanding and clearing roadblocks to the installation of low-carbon energy sources in the Asia-Pacific region. The EC will provide a consolidated view of priorities for low-carbon energy in the region, helping the industry to achieve Net Zero goals.
  

• Promotion to diversity, equality, inclusion and respect (DEIR). DEIR topics are rising in greater importance at the work place and representation of women in particular stands out. As a SEMI board member, ASE has pushed for the development of robust actions to promote and strengthen women in management and leadership roles across the industry. We also joined SEMI Foundation which is aimed to provide support for workforce development and diversity, equity and inclusion in the semiconductor industry. ASE was elected as a member of SEMI Foundation’s Board of Trustees in 2022. We will continue to promote DEIR at the work place and solve workforce challenges and support economic equity.
  

• Flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) measurement standards. The SEMI Flexible Hybrid Electronics Standards Technical Committee published the first 3 global FHE measurement standards; SEMI FH1, SEMI FH2, and SEMI FH3. These global standards are once again formulated by the Taiwan industry since SEMI E187 (Specification for Cybersecurity of Fab Equipment). The standards cover various applications including smart wearables, smart healthcare, and smart mobility, which account for 65% of the total market value of FHE.
  

• SEMICON Taiwan 2023. The event recorded a gathering of 950 exhibitors with 3,000 booths and attracted more than 62,000 visitors. More than 25 international forums were held over the course of the three-day exhibition, covering major industry trends including advanced manufacturing processes, heterogeneous integration, materials innovations, compound semiconductors, automotive chips, smart manufacturing, semiconductor cybersecurity, sustainability, talent development, and quantum technologies. ASE executives provided expert industry and technology perspectives at the Master Forum (Keynote Speaker), Silicon Photonics Forum (Moderator), Semiconductor Women’s Panel (Speaker), and Heterogeneous Integration Summit (Moderator, Speaker).
  

Resources invested :US$138,000

Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association (TSIA)

ASE Inc. is a founding member and board director of the TSIA, and chairs the EHS packaging and testing committee. As a member of the association, ASE participates actively in discussions on sustainability topics and prepares recommendations to government agencies for formulating policies and regulations that affect the semiconductor packaging and testing industry. The key initiatives and programs promulgated by TSIA in 2023 are as follows:

• Regulatory policy discussion and advocacy. We participated in the policy discussion of air pollution control and emissions standards for the semiconductor manufacturing industry. With reference to the ‘mandatory installation of equipment for the continuous automatic monitoring of stationary pollution sources in public and private premises, and the mandatory reporting of monitoring results to the competent authorities’, we advocated for the 1.3 kg set-up threshold, exempting the packaging and testing industry from excessive installations. The exemption resulted in a reduction of installation costs by approximately NT$2.5 million and operating costs by approximately NT$1 million per factory. Additionally, we established an action plan for greenhouse gas emissions control; participated in the drafting and review of industrial waste disposal policies; and provided the latest global semiconductor industry laws and regulations to devise early response plans, reducing impact to the industry.
  

• GHG verification. Received a written statement for the completion of a joint-GHG verification based on CNS 14064-1, meeting customer requirements and government regulations; contributed to a GHG report on the GHG emissions data by the semiconductor industry in Taiwan, demonstrating TSIA’s commitment to managing and reducing emissions.
  

• Supplier guidance and assessments for waste disposal vendors. According to the newly revised Articles 4 and 5 of Regulations Governing Determination of Reasonable Due Care Obligations of Enterprises Commissioning Waste Clearance, companies are obligated to entrust relevant associations and societies to assist with the management procedures.
  

• Revision of rules for packaging and testing-related services and products. We held six stakeholder discussion meetings to gather industry opinions. On November 2023, we completed the second edition of the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for Integrated Circuit Packaging and Testing Services.
  

Resources invested :US$88,000

Taipei Computer Association (TCA)

The TCA was established in 1974 to promote the development of Taiwan’s information technology industry. In addition to hosting industry exchange activities, the association regularly organizes major domestic IT exhibitions and participates in international exhibitions. As a member of the association, we exhibited at the 2023 Kaohsiung Smart City Summit & Expo organized by the TCA. The event, centered on digital and green transformation, was expanded in scope to include innovative applications in smart energy, smart transportation, smart buildings, sustainable green energy, and 5G AIoT that can be used to build a complete ecosystem for smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT). The event attracted city officials, telecom operators, system integrators, IoT service providers, solution providers, and professional users from around the world. It boasted a total of 165 exhibitors and 550 booths. During the three-day-long exhibition, 20 professional forums were held, attracting over 30,000 professionals. The theme of our exhibit was “smart factory × sustainable net zero” where we highlighted our net zero journey through smart factory/buildings, smart energy savings, smart water management, and circular economy.

Resources invested :US$46,000

Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA)

The GSA provides a neutral collaboration platform for the semiconductor, software, solution, system, and service ecosystem, bringing together industry leaders from over 25 countries and 300 companies. The members include startups in the semiconductor industry as well as industry powerhouses and technology leaders. The GSA organizes global and regional semiconductor-related technology and marketing activities for members opportunities to network and exchange information on the latest industry trends. It offers members access to a comprehensive semiconductor research database that includes information such as technological developments, market reports, company data, and industry surveys. The GSA hosts the GSA Annual Awards to recognize outstanding leaders, women, and companies across the industry. As a member of the association, ASE actively supports and sponsors GSA events, working with its international partners to promote the development of the semiconductor industry.

Resources invested :US$46,000

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

The IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice in a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers, and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics. As a member of IEEE, ASEH actively engage with members of the international community on the latest technological trends and attend conferences and professional activities. In 2023, a global survey of 350 CIOs, CTOs and IT directors by the IEEE concluded that Artificial Intelligence in its many forms will be the most important area of technology in 2024, followed by XR, cloud computing, 5G and Electric Vehicles. The survey covered technology leaders from the United States, the United Kingdom, China, India, and Brazil.

Resources invested:US$45,000