This Week in Manufacturing — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Definitive anti-dumping duties on PET Spunbond from China; new chemicals Directive on workplace exposure; extended tariff quotas for fishery products; multiple product registrations for anti-dumping probes.
October 26, 2026 to November 01, 2026
Definitive anti-dumping duties on PET Spunbond from China; new chemicals Directive on workplace exposure; extended tariff quotas for fishery products; multiple product registrations for anti-dumping probes.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Definitive Anti-Dumping Duty Imposed on PET Spunbond from China
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2393 of 29 October 2026 imposes a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of PET Spunbond originating in the People’s Republic of China, following an extensive investigation under Regulation (EU) 2016/1036. The regulation details the investigation process, including the initiation on 15 September 2025, registration of imports, provisional measures, and stakeholder responses. Final duty rates of up to 48.1% are set for non-cooperating exporters. The Commission considered arguments from exporters, importers, and Union industry, with duties justified on the basis of material injury to the Union industry. Provisional duties collected are confirmed, but retroactive application beyond the provisional period is not imposed.
New Directive Tightens Worker Protection from Carcinogens, Mutagens, and Reprotoxic Substances
Directive (EU) 2026/2450 amends Directive 2004/37/EC to strengthen the protection of workers from exposure to carcinogens, mutagens, and reprotoxic substances at work. The directive, adopted on 21 October 2026, introduces or tightens occupational exposure limit values for substances including cobalt and cobalt compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, isoprene, and 1,4-dioxane. It also clarifies definitions and mandates enhanced training and risk communication. Member States must transpose the directive by 20 November 2028.
Union Tariff Quotas for Fishery Products Extended
Council Regulation (EU) 2026/2446 of 26 October 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2023/2720, extending the application of autonomous Union tariff quotas for certain fishery products until the end of 2027. The extension is designed to avoid interruptions in the duty-free supply of these products while a new regulation with sustainability conditions is finalized.
Active Substances Approval Periods Extended for Multiple Plant Protection Products
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2348 of 23 October 2026 extends the approval periods of numerous active substances for use in plant protection products. This includes substances such as acetic acid, aluminium phosphide, emamectin, and various Trichoderma strains. The extension is granted to allow finalization of ongoing renewal evaluations under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.
Imports of Multiple Industrial Products Made Subject to Registration Pending Anti-Dumping Investigations
The Commission has adopted several Implementing Regulations between 23 and 30 October 2026 making imports of cellulose ethers (from China and Korea), steel wire ropes and cables (from India, Thailand, Türkiye), acetylsalicylic acid (from China), certain polyvinyl chloride (from China, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan), and silicon (from China) subject to registration under Regulation (EU) 2016/1036. These interim measures allow for the possible retroactive imposition of anti-dumping duties should investigations confirm injurious dumping.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
European Parliament
EGF Mobilised for Displaced Workers in Spain, Belgium, and Finland
The European Parliament and Council adopted Decisions (EU) 2026/2453, 2026/2455, and 2026/2456 on 7 October 2026 to mobilise the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers, granting EUR 2,725,100 for Spain (Galicia automotive sector), EUR 3,821,460 for Belgium (Cora), and EUR 410,310 for Finland (Valmet Automotive). These mobilisations respond to restructuring events and are intended to support workers made redundant.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
Market Stability Reserve Amended for New Emissions Trading Sectors
Decision (EU) 2026/2402, adopted on 21 October 2026, amends the Market Stability Reserve rules for the new emissions trading system for buildings, road transport, and additional sectors. The revised rules improve the reserve’s predictability, responsiveness, and ensure the continued validity of allowances after 2030.
EU Council
Council Extends Restrictive Measures on Transnistrian Leadership, Adopts Multiple Peace Facility Amendments
On 26 October 2026, the Council extended restrictive measures against the leadership of the Transnistrian region of Moldova until 31 October 2027 (Decision (CFSP) 2026/2397). Several amendments were also made to European Peace Facility assistance measures for Ukraine, updating financial allocations and durations.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
Council Extends WTO Waiver for Western Balkans and Signs EU-Canada Tariff Quota Agreement
The Council adopted Decision (EU) 2026/2448 supporting an extension of the WTO waiver allowing the EU to grant autonomous trade preferences to the Western Balkans until 31 December 2031. Additionally, Decision (EU) 2026/2457 authorises signature of the EU-Canada Agreement on tariff-rate quotas following the UK's withdrawal.
eur-lex.europa.eu | eur-lex.europa.eu
Agriculture and Fisheries Council Agrees Negotiating Position on Post-2027 CAP
On 26 October 2026, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council agreed a partial negotiating position for the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy and reached political agreement on 2027 Baltic Sea fishing opportunities.
Energy Council Debates Network Charges and Post-2030 Targets
The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) met on 29 October 2026 in Luxembourg to debate proposed reforms to electricity network charges and discuss immediate and long-term energy security, including potential targets for the post-2030 framework.
What We're Reading This Week
- One supply scare pushed China into renewables. Two real crises still haven’t woken Europe up: Europe remains slow to accelerate its renewable energy transition despite facing significant energy supply disruptions and security risks.
- ST Microelectronics accelerates: revenue rises and profit up almost 23 per cent: ST Microelectronics posts nearly 23% profit growth as revenue surges, signaling robust demand and strong financial momentum.
- The economic impact of AI: a gradual transformation: AI is steadily reshaping industries and labor markets, driving incremental productivity gains and prompting shifts in economic structures.
- Larger, but not more innovative: Italian businesses are playing it safe: Italian companies are expanding in size but remain cautious, prioritizing stability over bold investments in innovation and new ideas.
- Italian companies are tackling uncertainty with their ability to adapt: Italian firms demonstrate resilience by innovating operations and strategies to navigate ongoing economic and market volatility.
