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: 2026-02-22 to 2026-02-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

EPA Proposes Approval of Ohio SIP Revisions for VOC and NOx RACT Compliance in Manufacturing Facilities

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposed rule approving Ohio's revised State Implementation Plan (SIP) addressing Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements for volatile organic compound (VOC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions at manufacturing facilities in the Cleveland Moderate ozone nonattainment area under the 2015 ozone NAAQS. Facilities cited include PPG Industries, Owens Corning, Akron Paint and Varnish, U.S. Steel Tubular Lorain, Charter Steel, Carmeuse Lime, and Ross Incineration, along with General Electric Aviation and Tyson Foods in Cincinnati. Individual compliance measures entail ongoing RACT for coatings, production, vapor pressure limits, installation of regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs), NOx emission limits for industrial furnaces and kilns, and specific production controls. The EPA also proposes to remove Formica's site-specific VOC RACT rule as it is now centrally covered by Ohio Administrative Code 3745-21-09(F). Comments are due by March 30, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Submits Renewal for NESHAP Generic MACT Standards Information Collection

The EPA has submitted a renewal request to the Office of Management and Budget for the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Generic Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standards, covering polycarbonate production, acrylic and modacrylic fiber manufacturing, acetal resin, and hydrogen fluoride facilities. The request seeks to extend mandatory reporting, initial notifications, performance tests, and semiannual updates for compliance with 40 CFR part 63, subpart YY. The estimated annual reporting burden is unchanged at 2,910 hours, costing $457,000 per year, with an adjusted capital and O&M cost of $59,100 reflecting inflation through 2024. Public comments are open until March 30, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Department of Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty Administrative Review for Cut-to-Length Carbon-Quality Steel Plate from Korea

The U.S. Department of Commerce is conducting the 2024-2025 administrative review of antidumping duties on certain cut-to-length carbon-quality steel plate from Korea. Preliminary findings show that Dongkuk Steel Mill and Hyundai Steel Company made sales below normal value during the period of review, resulting in weighted-average dumping margins of 1.18% and 0.94%, respectively. Two companies were removed from the review after requests for rescission were timely withdrawn. The scope covers CTL plate, and the review methodology adheres to statutory requirements. Public comments and briefs are due within 21 days of publication; final results are scheduled within 120 days.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review for Wood Mouldings and Millwork Products from China

The Department of Commerce issued the final results for the countervailing duty review of wood mouldings and millwork products from China covering calendar year 2023. The review found net countervailable subsidies for Zhejiang Senya Board Industry Co., Ltd. at 26.51%, Fujian Yinfeng Imp & Exp Trading Co., Ltd. at 20.32%, and an all-others rate for 13 non-selected companies at 21.39%. The results will guide U.S. Customs and Border Protection assessment of duties and the collection of cash deposits for future imports. Commerce made adjustments relative to ocean freight benchmarks, import duty rates, and input valuations based on evidence submitted.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Determines Countervailable Subsidies for Silicon Metal Imports from Thailand and Laos

The Department of Commerce concluded final affirmative determinations on countervailing duties (CVD) for silicon metal imports from the Kingdom of Thailand and the Lao People's Democratic Republic for the 2024 investigative period. The final subsidy rate for Thailand is 31.27%, assigned to both G.S. Energy Co., Ltd. and Sica New Materials; for Laos, Lao Silicon Co., Ltd. and all other producers received an assessed rate of 69.10%. In both cases, Commerce relied on the use of adverse facts available due to non-cooperation from companies and government respondents. Customs will continue to suspend liquidation and collect cash deposits as instructed, pending ITC injury determinations.

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

Float Glass Products from Malaysia: Correction to Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination

The Department of Commerce announced a correction to its February 9, 2026 notice regarding float glass imports from Malaysia. While the final affirmative determination of countervailing duties remains unchanged, Commerce clarified it issued a final negative determination on critical circumstances for Jinjing Malaysia, Xinyi Malaysia, and all other producers. No parties commented on the preliminary critical circumstances determination.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Finds Circumvention of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders for OCTG from China Completed in Thailand

The Department of Commerce issued a final determination that seamless oil country tubular goods (OCTG) finished in Thailand using Chinese-origin steel billets circumvent existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on OCTG from China. This determination, effective February 27, 2026, applies country-wide and subjects qualifying entries to duties unless importers provide certifications confirming no Chinese steel billets were used. The applicable rates are 99.14% for antidumping and 13.41% for countervailing duties for non-specific companies. Certifications are required for five years or three years post-litigation.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

ITC Launches Preliminary Investigations into Antidumping and Countervailing Duties on Large Diameter Graphite Electrodes from China and India

The U.S. International Trade Commission has initiated preliminary antidumping and countervailing duty investigations (Nos. 701-TA-787-788 and 731-TA-1775-1776) on large diameter graphite electrodes from China and India. The proceedings follow a petition by Resonac Graphite America Inc. and Tokai Carbon GE LLC filed on February 24, 2026. Staff conference is set for March 17, 2026, and written submissions must be received by March 20, 2026. The USITC expects its determination by April 10, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Preliminarily Finds Countervailable Subsidies for Solar Cells from Indonesia and Aligns Final Determination with Antidumping Review

The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a preliminary affirmative determination in the countervailing duty investigation for crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from Indonesia, covering the January–December 2024 period. Subsidy rates determined were 143.30% for PT Blue Sky Solar Indonesia, 85.99% for PT REC Solar Energy Indonesia, and an all-others rate of 104.38%. Commerce found critical circumstances applicable in part, meaning suspension of liquidation will extend retroactively for certain exporters. The final determination will align with the timing of the companion antidumping investigation, expected no later than July 6, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FDA Seeks Public Comment on Good Manufacturing Practice Recordkeeping for Dietary Supplements

The Food and Drug Administration is soliciting comments on its proposal to renew collection requirements for Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) in manufacturing, packaging, labeling, or holding operations for dietary supplements under 21 CFR Part 111. Manufacturers, packagers, labelers, and warehousers are subject to extensive recordkeeping regarding personnel, sanitation, production control, quality assurance, and complaint handling. The annual burden estimates remain unchanged from previous years, at 929,140 hours across industry respondents. Comments are due by April 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FDA Proposes Information Collection on Medicated Feed Manufacturing Practices

The Food and Drug Administration issued a notice for public comment on information collection relating to Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for medicated feeds. The proposal concerns producers, including commercial feed mills, and seeks consolidation of reporting requirements under a unified OMB control number. Revised estimates reflect a decrease of 913,153 hours in the annual recordkeeping burden due to fewer firms and records. Comments are due by April 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Correction: ITC Filing Date for Thermoformed Molded Fiber Products from China and Vietnam

The International Trade Commission issued a correction for the background date of its determinations on thermoformed molded fiber products from China and Vietnam. The proper completion and filing date is January 5, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025

Bill 755, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 (House), addresses the energy policy area. It was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 444, on February 24, 2026. The act is intended to regulate and harmonize criteria for critical mineral management within the national supply chain.

Sources: www.congress.gov

ACERO Act

Bill 390, known as the ACERO Act (House), is focused on furthering science, technology, and communications policy. The bill was received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on February 24, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• EU steel sector pushes to be part of 'Made in Europe' act, seeks narrow scope: European steel manufacturers seek targeted support as part of new industrial policy proposals.
• Clean Energy Manufacturers Set to Muddle Through Fresh Tariff Turmoil: US manufacturers in the clean energy sector navigate revised tariffs and trade policy shifts.
• Noram Adds Additional Critical Mineral to List of High-Value Byproduct Credits in Zeus Project Upgraded PEA: Noram upgrades Zeus Project with new critical mineral byproduct credits for higher production value.
• Noram Fully Funded for 2026 and Engages GRE to Update PEA With Multiple High-Value Critical Mineral Byproduct Credits: Noram secures funding for 2026 and commissions GRE to optimize project economics across critical minerals.
• G&D Refiners Expands Focus on Domestic Precious Metal Recovery Amid Supply Chain Volatility: G&D Refiners prioritizes US precious metal recycling as supply chains fluctuate.

.