US critical-material scrap: July determination and targeted domestic allocation
The July 30, 2026 presidential determination under the Defense Production Act authorizes action on recoverable critical minerals and materials; it is a presidential memorandum, rather than a September executive order. Copper scrap is excluded from that determination because it is addressed separately. The subsequent BIS temporary final rule targets black mass and tungsten waste and scrap, requiring 100% of monthly sales to US persons unless BIS grants an adjustment or exception. These provisions should not be described as a universal ban on all scrap exports.
The July 30, 2026 presidential determination under the Defense Production Act authorizes action on recoverable critical minerals and materials; it is a presidential memorandum, rather than a September executive order. Copper scrap is excluded from that determination because it is addressed separately. The subsequent BIS temporary final rule targets black mass and tungsten waste and scrap, requiring 100% of monthly sales to US persons unless BIS grants an adjustment or exception. These provisions should not be described as a universal ban on all scrap exports.
Research completed: 2026-10-02T08:46:39.702Z.
Received by Insights: 2026-10-02T08:47:02.295Z.
Source publication date: 2026-09-18.
Sources:
Publication date unknown — https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news-and-insights/latest-market-news/2859740-us-imposes-export-curbs-on-critical-mineral-scrap
2026-09-18 — https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2026/09/18/americas-critical-materials-buildout-has-a-feedstock-problem/
Site correction: Corrected action type/date and distinction between presidential authority and targeted BIS allocation rule.
Correction evidence:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/07/presidential-determination-pursuant-to-section-101-of-the-defense-production-act-of-1950-as-amended-on-recoverable-critical-minerals-and-materials/
https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-16078.pdf
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Source: Mecuvo upstream research · argusmedia.com