Electronic Industries Alliance - History

History

In 1924 United States-based radio manufacturers formed a trade group called the Associated Radio Manufacturers. Later that same year, the group renamed itself the Radio Manufacturers Association (RMA). Over time, new electronic technologies brought new members and name changes, including Radio Television Manufacturers Association (RTMA) (1950), Radio Electronics Television Manufacturers (RETMA) (1953) and Electronics Industries Association (EIA) (1957). The group renamed itself for the last time in 1997, when the Electronics Industry Association became the Electronics Industries Alliance (EIA), reflecting the changing membership of the group, including non-manufacturer members.

The organization's headquarters were in Arlington, Virginia. The EIA divided its activities into the following sectors:

• ECA – Electronic Components, Assemblies, Equipment & Supplies Association
• JEDEC – JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, former Joint Electron Devices Engineering Councils
• GEIA – (now part of TechAmerica), Government Electronics and Information Technology Association
• TIA – Telecommunications Industry Association
• CEA – Consumer Electronics Association

The EIA ceased operations on February 11, 2011. EIA designated ECA to continue to develop standards for interconnect, passive and electro-mechanical (IP&E) electronic components under the ANSI-designation of EIA standards. All other electronic components standards will be managed by their respective sectors. ECA is expected to merge with the National Electronic Distributors Association (NEDA) to form the Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA). However, the EIA standards brand will continue for IP&E standards within ECIA.