RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SG/Q1/MDA/1
10 April 2002
(02-1927)
Committee on Safeguards Original:  English
NOTIFICATION OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS UNDER
ARTICLE 12.6 OF THE AGREEMENT
Questions Posed by the UNITED STATES
Regarding the Notification of MOLDOVA1
The following communication, dated 9 April 2002, has been received from the Permanent
Mission of the United States.
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1. Articles 48 and 49 of the Moldovan law variously refer to imports in terms of import
penetration “in excessively large quantities” (Article 48), and whether “imports” are causing or
threatening to cause serious injury.  Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Safeguards Agreement requires that
a member determine that the product is being imported “in such increased quantities” as to cause or
threaten to cause serious injury.  Please explain how the standard set out in the Moldovan law isconsistent with that in Article 2 of the Safeguards Agreement.
2. Article 54 of the Moldovan law lists the various economic factors to be considered in
determining whether increased imports caused or threatened serious injury, and includes all the
factors listed in Article 4, paragraph 2(a) of the Safeguards Agreement except productivity.  Is there a
reason for the omission?
3. Articles 55 and 56 of the Moldovan law refer to  “surveillance” measures that may be taken
when the “trend in imports of a product threatens to cause injury to Moldovan producers”.  Are these
intended to be safeguard measures taken under the WTO Safeguards Agreement?  Please describe
such measures in greater detail, and indicate the provision in the Safeguards Agreement that
authorizes such measures.  Article 55 of the Moldovan law appears to permit such measures when a“trend” in imports threatens to cause “injury”.  Is a “trend” different than an increase, and what must
it show?  Must the injury threatened be “serious” injury?
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1 G/SG/N/1/MDA/1