In a multi-step API manufacturing process, can charging operations for earlier noncritical steps be done outdoors, as long as the last several critical steps are done indoors?

Under Section 4.1 of Q7A, it is very clear that where the equipment itself (e.g., closed or contained systems) provides adequate protection of the material, such equipment can be located outdoors. That is not restrictive at all as to steps. It depends on whether the equipment provides adequate protection of the material.