September 27, 2026 to October 03, 2026

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.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Consumer Product Safety Commission Seeks Extension for Flammability Standards Information Collection

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has requested an extension of OMB approval for information collection concerning the flammability standards established for clothing textiles (16 CFR Part 1610) and vinyl plastic film (16 CFR Part 1611). The standards mandate manufacturers, importers, and distributors to maintain records of flammability tests and guaranties for three years. Under current requirements, firms may provide continuing guaranties and must certify product compliance—children's apparel requires third-party testing and specific documentation. CPSC estimates about 10,000 firms are tasked with recordkeeping, with a total burden of 101,600 hours annually and an approximate annual cost of $8.1 million. Public comments on this extension are due by October 28, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Polyethylene Terephthalate Film Imports from Taiwan: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Review

The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued preliminary results in the antidumping duty administrative review for Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) film from Taiwan covering July 2024 to June 2025. Nan Ya Plastics Corporation’s shipments are assigned a weighted-average dumping margin of 3.95 percent. For Shinkong Materials Technology Corporation and Shinkong Synthetic Fiber Corporation, Commerce intends to rescind the review as Customs data show no shipments during the period. Interested parties may comment, with deadlines and procedural details outlined for submission via the ACCESS system.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

President Trump Proclaims National Manufacturing Day, 2026

On October 2, 2026, President Donald J. Trump recognized National Manufacturing Day, highlighting the resurgence of U.S. manufacturing. The proclamation details efforts to counter unfair trade by imposing tariffs, driving industry investment in excess of $11.2 trillion, and creating over 112,000 factory construction jobs. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act’s provisions, including permanent small business deductions and the elimination of overtime taxes, have contributed to real wage increases of $2,500 per year for manufacturing workers and the addition of 72,000 jobs in 2026.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Mesabi Metallics Announces $15 Billion Steel Mill Project in Iowa

President Trump announced the construction of a $15 billion Mesabi Metallics steel mill in Iowa, anticipated to produce up to 10 million tons of steel annually through sourcing iron ore from a new mine in Minnesota. The facility will generate 1,750 permanent jobs and 6,000 construction jobs, with a decade-long economic impact estimated at $95 billion. U.S. crude steel production has surpassed Japan, making the U.S. the world’s third-largest steel producer, with domestic mills now supplying 84% of finished steel demand. Regulatory reforms and tariffs were credited for declining imports and increasing domestic steel shipments.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

PHMSA Incorporates ASME Code Section XII and National Board Inspection Code into Hazardous Materials Regulations

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) amended regulations to incorporate the 2015 ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section XII, and National Board Inspection Code (NBIC), Parts 2 and 3. These standards are now authorized for use in the construction and maintenance of cargo tank motor vehicles, cryogenic portable tanks, and ton tanks. Voluntary compliance began September 28, 2026, with full regulatory effect by October 28, 2026. The revisions, responding to industry petitions and NTSB recommendations, are designed to provide regulatory flexibility and cost savings without new burdens.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Explainer: Can the UK forge a new era of reindustralisation?: The UK is examining strategies for industrial growth and sector competitiveness.
• EXCLUSIVE: Haier, Godrej, Blue Star failed to detect fake e-waste recycling claims, India notice shows: Indian authorities flagged issues with enforcement of e-waste recycling compliance by electronics firms.
• Factory activity returns to expansion in a positive sign for China’s economy: China’s manufacturing PMI moved into expansion territory in September, indicating export and production growth.
• Canada Manufacturing Grows More Modestly in September: Canadian manufacturing activity showed moderate expansion rates for September following previous gains.
• Inside IKEA’s quest for sustainable wood: IKEA’s supply chain efforts focus on sourcing sustainable wood for furniture manufacturing.
• From pickups to idle plants: automakers seek lifeline from defence boom: Automakers look to defense sector contracts as a solution to plant underutilization and capacity challenges.
• Rolls-Royce to invest $398 million in UK manufacturing: Rolls-Royce announced a significant investment in the UK aerospace manufacturing sector.

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