This Week in Manufacturing — Brussels (#29, 2026)
EU-UK competition law cooperation agreement enters into force; Commission repeals solar glass duties; new anti-dumping measures on Korean thermal paper; Strategic Projects recognised under Critical Raw Materials Act; industrial emissions reporting rules updated.
October 19, 2026 to October 25, 2026
EU-UK competition law cooperation agreement enters into force; Commission repeals solar glass duties; new anti-dumping measures on Korean thermal paper; Strategic Projects recognised under Critical Raw Materials Act; industrial emissions reporting rules updated.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2314 repeals anti-dumping duty on imports of solar glass from China
The European Commission, by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2314 of 19 October 2026, repealed the definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of solar glass originating in the People’s Republic of China. The expiry review found that the Union industry for solar glass had ceased production in early 2025 and no verifiable prospect of resumption was presented. Both main Union producers, GMB Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg and AGC Glass Europe, stopped production during the review investigation period. The Commission concluded that, with no active Union industry, the anti-dumping measures no longer served their protective purpose and their continuation was not in the Union interest. The regulation enters into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2310 repeals countervailing duties on solar glass from China
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2310 of 19 October 2026 repealed the definitive countervailing duties on imports of solar glass from the People’s Republic of China. The expiry review established that since the beginning of 2025, there was no Union production of the product under review, with both Union producers ceasing operations. The Commission found no likelihood of continuation or recurrence of injury and no interest in maintaining the duties, concluding that the countervailing measures should lapse. The repeal is effective from the day after publication.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2311 maintains anti-dumping duty on heavyweight thermal paper from Korea
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2311 of 19 October 2026 imposes a definitive anti-dumping duty of 15.8% on imports of certain heavyweight thermal paper originating in the Republic of Korea, following an expiry review under Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036. The investigation found continued dumping and a likelihood of recurrence of injury to the Union industry if measures were allowed to lapse. The review covered imports from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 and concluded that the Union industry remained under price pressure, with Korean import prices undercutting those of EU producers. The regulation enters into force the day after publication.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2319 amends anti-dumping duty for Varmora Granito Limited (India)
With Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2319 of 19 October 2026, the Commission amended Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/265 to reflect a change of name for Varmora Granito Private Limited, India, to Varmora Granito Limited. The company remains subject to the 7.3% anti-dumping duty for cooperating, non-sampled companies on imports of ceramic tiles. The amendment applies retroactively from 14 May 2025, the date of the official name change.
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/2349 recognises Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/2349 of 9 October 2026 recognises 46 projects as Strategic Projects under Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 on the framework for a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials. The projects, located across multiple Member States and covering extraction, processing, and recycling, were selected following calls for applications and assessment by external experts against technical, financial, ESG, and cross-border benefit criteria. The Decision notifies Member States and project promoters of their recognition and supports implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2267 sets reporting format for industrial emissions
Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2267 of 13 October 2026 establishes the format, frequency, and list of relevant raw materials to be reported by Member States under Regulation (EU) 2024/1244 on reporting environmental data from industrial installations. The Decision replaces Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1741 and aligns reporting with the new Industrial Emissions Portal and enhanced monitoring requirements, with first reporting required for the year 2027. The Decision also sets phased implementation dates for installations rearing poultry and pigs.
Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2026/2325 updates list of defence-related products
Delegated Directive (EU) 2026/2325 of 10 July 2026 updates the Annex to Directive 2009/43/EC to align the EU list of defence-related products with the updated Common Military List of the European Union adopted on 23 February 2026. Member States must transpose the updated list by 31 January 2027 and apply it from 5 February 2027.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2309 amends specifications for enzymatically produced steviol glycosides
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2309 of 16 October 2026 amends the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 to include rebaudioside M produced via enzymatic conversion of highly purified rebaudioside A stevia leaf extract (E 960c(ii)) using the genetically modified yeast K. phaffii CGMCC 7539. The amendment follows an EFSA safety assessment and introduces a specific entry for kaurenoic acid in the specifications.
EU Council
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2304 concludes EU-UK agreement on competition law cooperation
On 9 October 2026, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2026/2304, approving on behalf of the Union the Agreement with the United Kingdom on cooperation regarding the application of respective competition laws. The Agreement, signed on 25 February 2026, provides a framework for cooperation and information exchange between EU and UK competition authorities, supplementing Article 361 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Agreement enters into force following ratification by both Parties.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2357 sets EU position on inland navigation technical standards
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2357 of 13 October 2026 establishes the Union position within the European Committee for drawing up standards in inland navigation (CESNI) and the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) regarding adoption of ES-TRIN 2027/1 (Technical Requirements for Inland Navigation vessels) and ES-RIS 2027/1 (River Information Services). The updated standards are expected to be adopted by CESNI on 16 October 2026 and referenced by the CCNR in December 2026.
What We're Reading This Week
- The new fashion supply chain: faster, more flexible and more resilient: Fashion brands are overhauling supply chains to adapt quickly to trends, minimize disruptions, and meet shifting consumer demands.
