The Hidden Risks of “Cheap” PCBs — A Must-Read Assessment by Dirk Stans
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In the world of electronics design and prototyping, many engineers find it hard to ignore the allure of ultra-cheap PCBs from certain Asian suppliers. Offers like “PCBs for €5” or even “free” boards flood our screens — but Dirk Stans (Managing Partner of Eurocircuits, and Chairman of FHI, Federation of Technology Branches in the Netherlands) in a recent thought-provoking article, “Smart, Cunning, and Extremely Dangerous,” urges us to look past the advertisements and recognize what’s really at stake — our data.
Stans makes a compelling case: these prices are not just unsustainably low; they are engineered to collect data. By handling thousands of European design files every week, these suppliers quietly gather deep insights into Europe’s most innovative technologies, popular components, and even identify its top designers and talent.
“This data is not only commercially valuable,” Stans explains in his article. “In the wrong hands, it could enable competitors to directly copy or undermine European innovation. They effectively receive a detailed blueprint of our future.”
His argument is backed by credible research, including a study from Germany’s BSI, which shows how PCB layout data alone can reveal substantial intellectual property. Combine that with all the BOMs and assembly data, and an engineer is handing over a blueprint of their application’s fundamental architecture.
Why does this matter? Because it’s not just about losing a design. It’s about undermining Europe’s entire innovation process. Stans also highlights an overlooked vulnerability: European universities and students, enticed by free tools and components, are unintentionally giving foreign suppliers early insights into Europe’s next generation of engineers.
Dirk Stans (Managing Partner, Eurocircuits, and Chairman, FHI, Federation of Technology Branches)
Stans’s call to action is clear and urgent. He proposes a “European Origin First” policy, especially for publicly funded institutions and projects. His message resonates strongly in an era when IP protection, supply chain integrity, and economic sovereignty should be top priorities.
“It’s high time for educational institutions, industry leaders, and above all, our policymakers to recognise the urgent need for measures to protect our technological advantage, knowledge, and talent,” Stans argues.
We think Stans’s article is essential reading for every engineer, educator, and policymaker in Europe’s electronics sector. His perspective is not only timely but critically important for anyone concerned about our industry’s future. Take a moment to read the full article and let us know what you think via email. We welcome your thoughts, questions, and insights.
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