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ISFA Responds to U.S. International Trade Commission Findings on Quartz Surface Products

Date postedApril 3, 2026
ISFA News ,

International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) Responds to U.S. International Trade Commission Findings on Quartz Surface Products and  Licensing Standard Update

Kansas City, MO — April 3, 2026 — The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) acknowledges the recent determination by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), which voted 2–1 in the affirmative that imports of quartz surface products are a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry.

This decision carries significant implications across the entire countertop and surface manufacturing ecosystem, including countertop and surface manufacturing shops and contractors, their employees, slab manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and ultimately, the customers we all serve.

“There are no winners in decisions like this. The impact is real, and it will require adjustment across our businesses and throughout the trade”, said Travis McDermott, ISFA President and owner of McDermott Top Shop LLC.

ISFA remains committed to standing alongside the industry by focusing on what matters most: education, training, developing standards and advocacy. We are working to ensure that companies, no matter their size, have the tools, information, and support needed to adapt and move forward.

As an association, ISFA is product neutral, we do not endorse one material over another. Our role is to represent the countertop and surface manufacturing industry and the fabrication trade, including stone cutting, finishing, and installation, while ensuring the industry stays informed, prepared, and positioned for long-term success.

What Happens Next: ITC Remedy Phase Timeline

The ITC process now moves into the remedy phase, with the following key dates:

  • April 7, 2026 – Prehearing remedy briefs due

  • April 14, 2026 (9:30 AM) – Remedy hearing (witness list due April 6)

  • April 14, 2026 – Post-hearing briefs due

  • May 18, 2026 – Commission report submitted to the President

  • By July 17, 2026 – Presidential decision on remedy

Industry Participation: Your Voice Matters

If your business is impacted and you want your voice heard, there are several ways to participate:

  • Register as a witness for the ITC remedy hearing

  • Submit written briefs or testimony directly to the ITC

  • Provide an anonymous declaration through legal counsel

  • Engage through ISFA or the American Countertop Manufacturers Council (ACMC)

  • ISFA is available to help guide companies through this process.

ACMC Acting

The American Countertop Manufacturers Council (ACMC), a consensus-based body representing the countertop and surface community, has determined that it will send a representative to speak on behalf of the countertop and surface manufacturing industry during the ITC remedy hearing.

“This is exactly why ACMC exists to bring industry voices into decisions that shape our future”, said Austin Maxwell, owner of Maxwell Counters and ACMC member. Companies of all sizes are encouraged to participate. To learn more about ACMC and how to get involved visit https://tinyurl.com/mramzpfx

 Licensing Standard Release Adjustment

Due to the significance of this ITC announcement, ISFA will delay publication of the 2026 Countertop and Surface Manufacturing Shop and Contractor Licensing Standard until next week.

This decision ensures the industry has the time and focus needed to respond to the ITC process without distraction, and that the full 45-day public comment period is meaningful and fully utilized. 

About the Licensing Standard

The proposed 2026 Countertop and Surface Manufacturing Shop and Contractor Licensing Standard is an industry-led licensing model intended to operate in coordination with government oversight. It is structured to reduce regulatory ambiguity, improve consistency across jurisdictions, elevate industry credibility, and provide our industry with practical, auditable tools to manage risk, protect their workforce, and sustain long-term operations.

 Key elements include:

  • Worker training and silica safety education

  • Fabrication equipment and cutting practice standards

  • Workplace housekeeping and dust control

  • Jobsite cutting and installation procedures

  • Daily competent person inspections

  • Annual silica safety training

  • Independent facility safety inspections

  • Workers’ compensation verification

  • Public registry of licensed shops and contractors

  • Material disclosure and warning requirements

  • Controlled distribution of material to licensed operators

  • Two-tier licensing structure to support compliance and progression

This framework is designed to complement, not replace, existing laws, creating a pathway for industry and regulators to work together in a co-regulated environment.

Moving Forward

This is a pivotal moment for the countertop and surface manufacturing industry. The decisions being made today on trade, regulation, and safety will shape how our businesses operate tomorrow.

 ISFA is committed to ensuring that the industry is not reacting alone, but moving forward together with clarity, consistency, and a shared voice.

Media Contact :
International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA)
Laurie Weber, CEO
laurie@isfanow.org

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