WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SG/N/6/PHL/5
23 May 2003
(03-2784)
Committee on Safeguards Original:  English
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(A) OF THE
AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS ON INITIATION OF
AN INVESTIGATION AND THE REASONS FOR IT
PHILIPPINES
The following communication, dated 22 May 2003, has been received from the Permanent
Mission of the Philippines.
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Pursuant to Article 12.1(a) of the WTO Agreement on Safeguards, and following the relevant
format suggested in G/SG/W/1 (23 February 1995), the Permanent Mission of the Philippines hereby
notifies the Committee on Safeguards of the initiation of a safeguards investigation on the imports of
float glass.
1. Date when the investigation was initiated
The investigation was initiated on 21 May 2003.
2. The product subject to investigation
Float glass classified under HS Codes 7005.2190 and 7005.2990.
3. Reasons for the investigation
The investigation was initiated following an evaluation of a safeguard petition from the
domestic float glass industry.  The petitioner accounts for total production capacity of the industry.
An evaluation of data showed that imports had increased by 27.75 per cent on an annual
average basis from 1997-2001, and by a further 69.26 per cent for the period January-August 2002.
Domestic production declined by 35.05 per cent in 1997-2001 (1997 as a base year).  In end
August 2002, float glass production was 96.8 per cent of 2001 level.  Imports as a percentage of
domestic production increased from 7.80 per cent in 1997 to 26.95 per cent in 2001, and 31.41 percent as of January-August 2002.
The investigation has been initiated to determine whether a safeguards measure is warranted.
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