ITC Launches Complex Probe into Quartz Surface Products Imports
Published Date: 12/1/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. International Trade Commission is launching a big investigation into quartz surface products because imports might be hurting American makers. This tricky case means the Commission will take extra time, aiming to decide by April 1, 2026, and report to the President by May 18, 2026. If you’re in the quartz business or trade, get ready for some important changes and deadlines ahead!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.
Section 202 Investigation Launched
The U.S. International Trade Commission has instituted an investigation (Investigation No. TA-201-79) under section 202 of the Trade Act to determine whether imports of quartz surface products are a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry. The Commission will investigate the petition filed by the Quartz Manufacturing Alliance of America and related submissions supporting and opposing the petition.
What Products Are Covered
The investigation covers quartz surface products (QSP) defined as surfaces made mostly of silica (quartz, quartz powder, cristobalite, glass powder) with a resin binder, where silica is greater by weight than any other single material. The scope lists typical forms (slabs ~45–60 sq ft, thickness 1–3 cm) plus many other surfaces, excludes quarried stone (granite, marble, soapstone, quartzite), and gives HTSUS numbers 6810.99.0020, 6810.99.0040, and 7020.00.6000.
Hearings, Filing Deadlines, and E-Filing
The Commission scheduled the injury hearing for February 24, 2026, and, if needed, a remedy hearing for April 14, 2026. Key filing deadlines include requests to appear by February 13, 2026 (injury) and April 6, 2026 (remedy); prehearing briefs due February 17, 2026 (injury) and April 7, 2026 (remedy); posthearing briefs due March 3, 2026 (injury) and April 21, 2026 (remedy). The Secretary will accept only electronic filings via the Commission's EDIS system, and posthearing briefs are limited to 15 pages.
Confidential Business Info (CBI) Rules
Confidential business information (CBI) gathered in this investigation may be made available under an administrative protective order (APO) to authorized applicants if applied for not later than 21 days after publication of this notice. The Commission may transmit CBI to the U.S. Trade Representative and include CBI in the report to the President; CBI may also be disclosed to U.S. government employees and contractors for cybersecurity and internal uses.
Investigation Timeline Extended
The Commission found the investigation to be "extraordinarily complicated" and will make its serious-injury determination by April 1, 2026 (instead of the ordinary March 17, 2026 date). The Commission will submit its report to the President by May 18, 2026, which is 180 days after the petition filing date.
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Key Dates
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