At FlexTrades, we’re in the business of solving problems. That means we ask a lot of questions — and we answer a lot of them, too.

One of the most common questions we get from clients, technicians, and new recruits is about IPC standards. What are they? Why do they matter? And what do all those numbers and letters mean?

Let’s clear it up.

What Is IPC?

When most people say IPC, they’re referring to IPC International, Inc. But that wasn’t always the name.

Back in 1957, six printed circuit board manufacturers came together to form the Institute of Printed Circuits. Their mission? To set shared standards, push industry innovation, and eliminate the kinds of supply chain headaches still common today.

As the industry grew beyond PCBs, so did IPC. In 1999, the group expanded to include all of electronics manufacturing. That expansion came with a name change — The Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits. Eventually, that mouthful became IPC International, Inc.

Today, IPC is the organization responsible for setting the standards that govern electronics manufacturing. That includes the way PCBs are developed, tested, inspected, and assembled. And that’s where J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 come in.

What Is J-STD-001?

You’ll often hear this called J-Standard for short. The official name is IPC J-STD-001H, and it’s a critical global standard in electronics manufacturing.

It outlines the process requirements for soldered electrical and electronic assemblies, including everything from the materials used to how assemblies are tested and inspected. The standard emphasizes process control — meaning it’s not just about the end product, but how you get there.

If you’re working in PCB assembly, soldering, or inspection, you’ll likely need J-STD-001 certification. It verifies that your processes meet industry expectations for quality and repeatability.

What Is IPC-A-610?

This one is often shortened to IPC-610, but the full name is IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies.

Where J-STD-001 focuses on how electronics are built, IPC-610 focuses on how they’re judged. It defines what an acceptable finished product looks like and qualifies people to perform that final inspection.

If you’re certified to IPC-A-610 standards, you’re trained to assess the quality and acceptability of PCBs based on IPC-defined criteria.

Together, IPC-610 and J-STD-001 create a comprehensive system: build to the standard, inspect to the standard, certify to the standard.

Want to Learn More?

There are dozens of additional IPC standards, far too many to cover here. But if you’re interested, you can explore the full list to learn more about each certification and what it covers.

Are You Certified in J-STD-001 or IPC-610?

FlexTrades is always looking for experienced technicians with IPC certifications. If you’ve got the credentials, join our Talent Network and get connected with projects that match your skills.

Got a Question We Haven’t Covered Yet?

We want to hear it. Send your questions to writingteam@flextrades.com and we just might answer it in a future blog post.