This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning most types of manufacturing activities (except agricultural, automotive, aerospace, food, and pharmaceutical), e.g. textile and apparel, chemical, electronics, wood and paper, metals, plastics and rubber, packaging, and machining. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Manufacturing? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Mining and Oil & Gas. Also consider subscribing to our Manufacturing - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-03-22 to 2026-03-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

EPA Proposes Regulatory Changes Allowing Recovered Scrap Tires as Non-Waste Fuel in Cement Kilns

The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a proposed rule to designate previously abandoned scrap tires, when recovered and combusted in cement kilns, as non-waste fuel under NHSM regulations. The revision would eliminate extensive shredding and wire removal processing requirements for these tires, treating recovered and collected scrap tires identically provided they are managed as valuable commodities. EPA also proposes expanding the definition of established tire collection programs to include systems recovering abandoned tires for fuel use. Cement kiln operators, waste management entities, and state authorities may see reduced compliance costs and broader access to tire-derived fuel. The proposal estimates annual cost savings between $11.6 million and $19.2 million, and invites public comment through May 22, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Department of Commerce and ITC Maintain Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders on Polyethylene Terephthalate Film from India, Taiwan, China, and UAE

On March 24 and 27, the Commerce Department and International Trade Commission determined that revoking antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, sheet, and strip from India, Taiwan, China, and UAE would likely result in continued or recurring dumping, subsidies, and injury to U.S. manufacturers. The continuation covers raw, pre-treated, or primed PET film, excluding certain modified or finished films. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will maintain cash deposit collections at existing rates. The ITC completed its third and fourth reviews for the relevant orders, establishing that material injury would persist in the absence of these protections. Next five-year reviews are scheduled before the orders' fifth anniversary.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Foreign-Trade Zone Notifications: Proposed Steel Tubing Production in Oklahoma and Plasma Cutting Components in New Hampshire

The Commerce Department’s Foreign-Trade Zones Board received notifications for proposed production activities at Webco Industries in Kellyville, Oklahoma (FTZ 164) and Hypertherm Inc. in Hanover and Lebanon, New Hampshire (Subzone 81H). Webco plans to manufacture welded stainless steel tubing and nickel alloy steel tubing, utilizing foreign-status slit coils and other materials subject to duties under Section 122 and Section 232, to be admitted under privileged foreign status. Hypertherm intends to produce plasma cutting consumables using foreign copper and hafnium inputs—also requiring privileged foreign status admission. Public comment on both notifications is open until May 5, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Initiates Circumvention Inquiries on Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products Assembled in Indonesia Using Vietnamese and Chinese Inputs

The International Trade Administration commenced circumvention inquiries following requests from Steel Dynamics Inc. and Nucor Corporation, focusing on imports of corrosion-resistant steel products completed in Indonesia using cold-rolled steel manufactured in Vietnam or hot-rolled/cold-rolled steel from China. The inquiries seek to determine whether minor or insignificant processing in Indonesia is circumventing antidumping and countervailing duty orders relating to these origins. Respondent selection will be based on Customs and Border Protection data, and the schedule for questionnaire responses is forthcoming. Preliminary and final determinations will be issued in 150 and 300 days, respectively, from March 25, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

EPA Finalizes Tolerance Exemption for Dimethylpolysiloxane as Inert Ingredient in Pesticide Formulations

The Environmental Protection Agency established an exemption for methyl end-capped polydimethylsiloxane (dimethylpolysiloxane, minimum MW 1,200 amu, CAS No. 63148-62-9) from the requirement of a tolerance when used as an inert ingredient in pesticide chemical formulations. The regulation is effective as of March 25, 2026, and supersedes the previous minimum molecular weight specification of 6,800 amu. The rule eliminates the need for maximum residue levels in food and feed commodities for applications in pesticide manufacturing, crop production, and food manufacturing as covered by NAICS codes.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Made in America Jobs Act of 2026

Bill 7342, 'Made in America Jobs Act of 2026,' was received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. The bill is focused on labor and employment policy.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A bill to require serialization of firearms produced through additive manufacturing and unserialized firearms held by dealers

Bill 8059 was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and Committee on Ways and Means. The bill mandates serialization of firearms produced by additive manufacturing and those possessed by federally licensed dealers and gunsmiths.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Preventing Future Vintage Plastic Pipeline Tragedies Act

Bill 8050 addresses hazards of vintage plastic pipeline infrastructure. The measure was referred to the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Co-Location Energy Act

Bill 5639, titled the 'Co-Location Energy Act,' continued legislative progress with subcommittee hearings held. The bill concerns energy policy and co-location operations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A bill to require EPA limitations on pre-production plastic pellet pollution

Bill 4181 was introduced in the Senate with a reading and referral to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. The proposal instructs the EPA to promulgate rules addressing pre-production plastic pellet pollution.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• India seeks steelmaking raw material from Argentina, Indonesia, Oman, sources say: Indian firms pursue sourcing deals to import steelmaking materials from Argentina, Indonesia, and Oman.
• Iran war chokes petrochemical supply, sends plastic prices soaring: Disruptions in Iran’s petrochemical sector drive up global plastic prices.

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