WORLD TRADE WT/TC/NOTIF/SG/1
15October 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-4344)
Original: English
TECHNICAL COOPERATION HANDBOOK ONNOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Agreement onSafeguards
1. Thissection oftheHandbook onNotification Requirements covers thenotification obligations
under theAgreement onSafeguards (SG). Itconsists ofthefollowing fiveparts:
PartI: Overview ofnotification requirements
PartII: Listing ofthenotification obligations
PartIII: Document(s) concerning guidelines andformats
PartIV: "Mock" examples ofnotifications
PartV: TextoftheAgreement
2. Foracceding countries, thedeadlines forthesubmission oftheirnotifications willbegoverned
bytheirrespective Protocols ofAccession.
Note: TheHandbook onNotification Requirements doesnotconstitute alegalinterpretation of
thenotification obligations under therespective Agreement(s). Ithasbeen prepared bythe
Secretariat toassist Members incomplying withtheirnotification obligations.SG-I-Page1
SG-I
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
OVERVIEW OFNOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTSSG-I-Page2
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
1. There isaseries ofnotification requirements setforth inArticle 12oftheAgreement on
Safeguards. Essentially, thenotification provisions require Members tonotify theactions taken leading
totheimposition orextension ofaprovisional orfinalsafeguard measure, aswellasresults ofthe
consultations required bytheAgreement, andtheexistence ofandplanstoeliminate measures terminated
orprohibited bytheAgreement. Formats forthese notification requirements havebeenagreed upon
bytheSafeguards Committee. Some ofthese aresetforthinsummary forminG/SG/1. Inaddition,
theCommittee hasissued sixspecific requests fornotifications, indocuments G/SG/N/1 through
G/SG/N/6.
2. Article 12.6requires notification ofthefullandintegrated textofrelevant legislation. Arequest
forthisnotificationwascirculatedinG/SG/N/1andSuppl.1.Althoughthedeadlineforsuchnotification
was15March 1995, Members maystillnotify theirlegislation, andareencouraged todoso.
3. Under Article 12.7,Members were tohave notified safeguard measures imposed under
Article XIXandstillinexistence on1January 1995notlaterthan2March 1995. Alsobythatdate,
Members were tohavenotified anyprohibited greyareameasures inexistence on1January 1995.
Formats forthese notifications canbefound inG/SG/N/2 andG/SG/N/3.
4. Article 11.2 allows eachMember tomaintain oneprohibited measure inexistence until
31December 1999. Members weretohavenotified themeasure theyintended tomaintain notlater
than31March 1995. Aformat forthisnotification canbefound inG/SG/N/4.
5. TheAgreement prohibits greyareameasures. Such measures must beeither terminated or
brought intoconformity withtheAgreement within fouryears oftheentry intoforceoftheAgreement,
withtheexception ofonemeasure. Article 11.2requires Members tonotify thetimetables forphasing
outsuchmeasures orbringing them intoconformity withtheAgreement by30June1995. Aformat
forthisnotification canbefound inG/SG/N/5.
6. Initiation ofaninvestigation (Article 12.1).TheAgreement requires Members tonotify
theinitiation ofaninvestigation under theAgreement. Aformat forthisnotification, including the
information tobeprovided, iscontained inG/SG/N/6.
7. TheAgreement provides thatincertain circumstances, safeguard measures shallnotbeapplied
todeveloping countries. Immediate notification isrequired ifaMember doesnotapply asafeguard
tooneormore developing countries. Aformat forthisnotification, aswellasfornotification ofany
change inthelistofdeveloping countries towhich asafeguard measure isnotapplied, canbefound
inItemIofdocument G/SG/1.
8. Article 12.1(b) requires notification that,inthecourse ofasafeguard investigation, afinding
ofserious injury orthreat thereof caused byincreased imports hasbeenmade. Article 12.1(c) requires
notification thatadecision toapply safeguard measures hasbeentaken. Formats forthesenotifications,
including theinformation tobeprovided andadvice onthetiming ofsuchnotifications, canbefound
inItemIIofdocument G/SG/1.
9. Article 12.4requires Members tonotify theCommittee priortotaking aprovisional safeguard
measure. Aformat forthisnotification canbefound inItemIIIofdocument G/SG/1.
10. Article 12.5requires Members tonotify theCouncil forTrade inGoods oftheresults of
consultations undertaken pursuant totheAgreement. Notifications totheCouncil shallgenerally be
made through theCommittee onSafeguards. Such notifications should, ifpossible, bemade jointly
bytheMembers concerned. Consultations arerequired intheevent aMember proposes toapply or
extend asafeguard measure (Article 12.3), regarding theresults ofmid-term reviews ofsafeguard
measures during theirperiod ofapplication (Articles 7.4and12.5), regarding compensation offeredSG-I-Page3
toMembers against which safeguard measures areapplied (Articles 8.1and12.5), andregarding the
proposed suspension ofconcessions orotherobligations byMembers against which safeguard measures
areapplied (Articles 8.2and12.5). Formats forthese notifications, which specify theinformation
tobeprovided, canbefound inItemIVofdocument G/SG/1.
11. Termination ofaninvestigation withnosafeguard measure imposed .Atits6May1996
meeting, theCommittee agreed toadopt aformat fornotifications where aninvestigation conducted
pursuant totheSafeguards Agreement isterminated withnosafeguard measure imposed. Theformat
forthisnotification canbefound inG/SG/2.
Summary ofNotification Obligations under Article 12.6
Thenotification ofnational lawsandregulations onsafeguards istobemade once, uponentry
intoforce oftheWTO Agreement forthenotifying Member forexisting lawsandregulations, and
thereafter onanadhocbasis, asandwhen laws/regulations areestablished orchanges effected.
(a) Members mustnotify thefullintegrated text(s) oftheirlaws, regulations andadministrative
procedures inoneoftheWTO languages (English, French orSpanish).
(b) Anymodificationtothelaws,regulationsoradministrativeproceduresmustbenotifiedpromptly.
(c) Anotification mustbemade evenwhere aMember doesnotmaintain suchlaws/regulations.SG-II -Page1
SG-II
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONSSG-II -Page2
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONS
Item Notification
requirementType ofmeasure Periodicity Format Members notifying ToWhom
1. Agreement on
Safeguards, Art.8.2Suspension of
concessions orother
obligations under
GATT 1994Adhoc G/SG/1,
itemIV(d)WTO Members Council for
Trade in
Goods
(through
Committee on
Safeguards -
seeArt.12.10)
2. Agreement on
Safeguards, Art.9.1,
footnote 2Non-application of
safeguard measures
against aproduct
originating ina
developing country
Member forreasons
specified inASArt.9.1Adhoc G/SG/1,
itemIWTO Member s Committee on
Safeguards
3. Agreement on
Safeguards,
Art.11.2-180daysTimetables forthe
phasing outofmeasures
referred toin
ASArt.11:1(b)Once within
180daysafterthe
dateofentry into
force oftheWTO
Agreement
(30June1995)G/SG/N/5 WTO Members Committee on
SafeguardsSG-II -Page3
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONS
Item Notification
requirementType ofmeasure Periodicity Format Members notifying ToWhom
4. Agreement on
Safeguards,
Art.11.2-90daysException tothegeneral
phase-out rulein
ASArt.11:2Once within
90daysafterthe
dateofentry into
force oftheWTO
Agreement, for
review and
acceptance
(31March 1995)G/SG/N/4 WTO Members Committee on
Safeguards
5. Agreement on
Safeguards,
Art.12.1-initiationSafeguard measures
(initiating aninvestigation
relating toserious injury
orthreat thereof)Adhoc G/SG/N/6 WTO Members Committee on
Safeguards
6. Agreement on
Safeguards,
Art.12.1-findingSafeguard measures
(making afinding of
serious injury orthreat
thereof; ASArt.12.2
provides therequired
content ofthe
notification)Adhoc G/SG/1,
itemIIWTO Members Committee on
SafeguardsSG-II -Page4
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONS
Item Notification
requirementType ofmeasure Periodicity Format Members notifying ToWhom
7. Agreement on
Safeguards,
Art.12.1-decisionSafeguard measures
(taking adecision to
apply orextend a
safeguard measure;
ASArt.12.2provides
therequired content of
thenotification)Adhoc G/SG/1,
itemIIWTO Members Committee on
Safeguards
8. Agreement on
Safeguards, Art.12.4Safeguard measures
(provisional)Adhoc(in
advance ofthe
application ofthe
measure)G/SG/1,
itemIIIWTO Members Committee on
Safeguards
9. Agreement on
Safeguards,
Art.12.5-compensationAnyform of
compensation referred to
inASArt.8.1Adhoc G/SG/1,
itemIV(c)WTO Members
involved inother
actionsCouncil for
Trade in
Goods
(through
Committee on
Safeguards -
seeArt.12.10)SG-II -Page5
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONS
Item Notification
requirementType ofmeasure Periodicity Format Members notifying ToWhom
10. Agreement on
Safeguards,
Art.12.5-consultationsResults ofconsultations
among Members onthe
application orextension
ofsafeguard measures,
including provisional
safeguard measuresAdhoc G/SG/1,
itemIV(a)WTO Members
involved insuch
consultationsCouncil for
Trade in
Goods
(through
Committee on
Safeguards -
seeArt.12.10)SG-II -Page6
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONS
Item Notification
requirementType ofmeasure Periodicity Format Members notifying ToWhom
11. Agreement on
Safeguards,
Art.12.5-mid-term
reviewResults ofmid-term
reviews referred toin
ASArt.7.4Adhoc G/SG/1,
itemIV(b)WTO Members
involved insuch
reviewsCouncil for
Trade in
Goods
(through
Committee on
Safeguards -
seeArt.12.10)
12. Agreement on
Safeguards,
Art.12.5-suspensionProposed suspensions of
concessions andother
obligations referred toin
ASArt.8.2Adhoc G/SG/1,
itemIV(d)WTO Members
involved inother
actionsCouncil for
Trade in
Goods
(through
Committee on
Safeguards -
seeArt.12.10)SG-II -Page7
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONS
Item Notification
requirementType ofmeasure Periodicity Format Members notifying ToWhom
13. Agreement on
Safeguards, Art.12.6Laws/regulations and
administrative
arrangements and
changes thereto
(concerning thelanguages
fornotification under
Article 12.6, see
document G/SG/N/1)Once, (full
integrated text)
promptly afterthe
dateofentry into
force oftheWTO
Agreement
(15March 1995);
adhocpromptly
afterthe
establishment of
suchlaws,
regulations and
administrative
procedures, with
updates as
necessaryG/SG/N/1 and
Suppl. 1WTO Members
Observer governments
shallprovide
information considered
relevant including
legislation, and
information regarding
measures taken
(G/SG/N/1/Suppl.1)Committee on
Safeguards
14. Agreement on
Safeguards,
Art.12.7-AS,
Art.11.1measuresASArt.11.1measures
described inArt.11:1(b)
which existed onthedate
ofentry intoforce ofthe
WTO AgreementOnce, notlater
than60daysafter
thedateofentry
intoforce ofthe
WTO Agreement
(1March 1995)G/SG/N/3 WTO Members
(seenoteabove re.
observer governments)Committee on
SafeguardsSG-II -Page8
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONS
Item Notification
requirementType ofmeasure Periodicity Format Members notifying ToWhom
15. Agreement on
Safeguards,
Art.12.7-pre-existing
Article XIXmeasuresPre-existing Article XIX
measures described inAS
Art.10which existed on
thedateofentry into
force oftheWTO
AgreementOnce, notlater
than60daysafter
thedateofentry
intoforce ofthe
WTO Agreement
(1March 1995)G/SG/N/2 WTO Members Committee on
Safeguards
16. Agreement on
Safeguards, Art.12.9Non-governmental grey
areameasures referred to
inASArt.11.3Adhoc NO WTO Members
Voluntary (no
requirement tonotify)Committee on
SafeguardsSG-III -Page1
SG-III
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
DOCUMENT(S)
G/SG/N/1
G/SG/N/1/Suppl.1
G/SG/N/2
G/SG/N/3
G/SG/N/4
G/SG/N/5
G/SG/N/6
G/SG/1
G/SG/2RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/SG/N/1
2February 1995
ORGANIZATION
(95-0185)
Committee onSafeguards
NOTIFICATION OFLAWS, REGULATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
RELATING TOSAFEGUARD MEASURES
1. Under Article 12.6oftheAgreement onSafeguards, Members shall notify promptly the
Committee onSafeguards oftheirlaws, regulations andadministrative procedures relating tosafeguard
measures aswellasanymodifications made tothem.
2. Members aretherefore invited tosubmit, inaworking language oftheWTO, theirlaws,
regulations andadministrative procedures relating tosafeguard measures. Members which haveno
suchlawsorregulations areinvited tonotify theCommittee accordingly.
3. Thelawsandregulations received inresponse totheabove request willbecirculated inaddenda
tothisdocument.
4. Aformat issuggested below forthese notifications under Article 12.6oftheAgreement on
Safeguards inorder toassist Members tofocus onthetypeofinformation tobesubmitted inthe
notifications andtoobtain similar responses from different Members.
Suggested format fornotifications under Article 12.6oftheAgreement onSafeguards
Prompt notification totheCommittee onSafeguards oflaws,
regulations andadministrative procedures relating tosafeguard measures
aswellasanymodifications made tothem
Note: Theformat issuggested without prejudice totheinterpretation oftherelevant provisions in
theAgreement onSafeguards bythecompetent bodies. Members arealsoreminded ofthe
provision inArticle 12.11 oftheAgreement onSafeguards, which reads asfollows: "The
provisionsonnotificationinthisAgreementshallnotrequireanyMembertodiscloseconfidential
information thedisclosure ofwhich would impede lawenforcement orotherwise becontrary
tothepublic interest orwould prejudice thelegitimate commercial interests ofparticular
enterprises, public orprivate."
1. InthefirstnotificationunderArticle12.6,pleaseprovidethefulltextsofthelawsandregulations
relating tosafeguard measures, andnotify theadministrative procedures relating tosafeguard measures.
2. Specify theauthorities competent toinitiate andconduct investigations.
3. Provide thetextofanymodifications made tothelawsandregulations relating tosafeguard
measures, andnotify anymodifications toadministrative procedures relating tosafeguard measures.WORLD TRADE G/SG/N/1/Suppl.1
6March 1995
ORGANIZATION(95-0462)
Original: English Committee onSafeguards
NOTIFICATION OFLAWS AND REGULATIONS
UNDER ARTICLE 12.6OFTHE AGREEMENT
Supplement
TheCommittee decided initsspecial meeting of24February 1995 thatallMembers which
haveavailable relevant legislation and/or regulations which apply tosafeguard measures covered by
theAgreement shall notify thefullandintegrated textofthatlegislation and/or regulations tothe
Committeeby15March1995.Ifsuchlegislationand/orregulationsdonotexistorarenotyetavailable,
theMember willinform theCommittee ofthisfact,willexplain thereasons therefore, andwillprovide
anindicative datebywhich timeanotification isexpected. Asfurther agreed bytheCommittee, these
notifications willbetreated asunrestricted documents.
TheCommittee alsoadopted thefollowing decision regarding Observer governments:
AnObserver government shall provide theCommittee withanyinformation theObserver
government considers relevant tomatters within thepurview oftheAgreement, including the
textofitslawsandregulations regarding safeguard measures, andinformation regarding any
safeguard measures taken bytheObserver government. Attherequest ofanyMember orthe
Observergovernment,anymattercontainedinsuchinformationcouldbebroughttotheattention
oftheCommittee after governments have been allowed sufficient time toexamine the
information.
Laws andregulations submitted byObserver governments inresponse tothisinvitation willbecirculated
asaddenda toG/SG/N/1.RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/SG/N/2
2February 1995
ORGANIZATION
(95-0186)
Committee onSafeguards
NOTIFICATION OFPRE-EXISTING ARTICLE XIXMEASURES
1. Under Article 12.7oftheAgreement onSafeguards, Members maintaining measures described
inArticle 10which existonthedateofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement shallnotify such
measures totheCommittee onSafeguards notlaterthan60daysafterthedateofentry intoforce of
theWTO Agreement, i.e.notlaterthan2March 1995.
2. Members aretherefore invited tonotify allsafeguard measures taken pursuant toArticle XIX
ofGATT 1947 thatwere inexistence on1January 1995. Notifications received inresponse tothis
request willbecirculated inaddenda tothisdocument.
3. Aformat issuggested below forthese notifications under Article 12.7oftheAgreement on
Safeguards inorder toassist Members tofocus onthetypeofinformation tobesubmitted inthe
notifications andtoobtain similar responses from different Members.
Suggested format fornotifications under Article 12.7oftheAgreement onSafeguards
Notifications totheCommittee onSafeguards ofmeasures
described inArticles 10,existing on1January 1995
Note: Theformat issuggested without prejudice totheinterpretation oftherelevant provisions in
theAgreement onSafeguards bythecompetent bodies. Members arealsoreminded ofthe
provision inArticle 12.11 oftheAgreement onSafeguards, which reads asfollows: "The
provisionsonnotificationinthisAgreementshallnotrequireanyMembertodiscloseconfidential
information thedisclosure ofwhich would impede lawenforcement orotherwise becontrary
tothepublic interest orwould prejudice thelegitimate commercial interests ofparticular
enterprises, public orprivate."
1. Specify themeasure taken under Article XIXofGATT 1947.
2. Specify theproduct subject tothemeasure.
3. Specify thedateonwhich themeasure wasfirstapplied.
4. Provide thereference totheGATT document through which themeasure wasfirstnotified
totheCONTRACTING PARTIES.RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/SG/N/3
2February 1995
ORGANIZATION
(95-0187 )
Committee onSafeguards
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.7OFMEASURES SUBJECT TO
THE PROHIBITION AND ELIMINATION OFCERTAIN MEASURES
UNDER ARTICLE 11.1OFTHE AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
1. Under Article 12.7oftheAgreement onSafeguards, Members maintaining measures described
inArticle 11.1which existonthedateofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement shallnotify such
measures totheCommittee onSafeguards notlaterthan60daysafterthedateofentry intoforce of
theWTO Agreement, i.e.notlaterthan2March 1995. These measures arethose subject tothe
"prohibition andelimination ofcertain measures" under Article 11,i.e.themeasures specified in
Article 11.1(b).
2. Members aretherefore invited tonotify allmeasures specified inArticle 11.1(b) thatwere
inexistence on1January 1995. Notifications received inresponse tothisrequest willbecirculated
inaddenda tothisdocument.
3. Aformat issuggested below forthese notifications under Article 12.7oftheAgreement on
Safeguards inorder toassist Members tofocus onthetypeofinformation tobesubmitted inthe
notifications andtoobtain similar responses from different Members.
Suggested format fornotifications under Article 12.7oftheAgreement onSafeguards
Notifications totheCommittee onSafeguards ofmeasures
described in11.1(b),existing on1January 1995
Note: Theformat issuggested without prejudice totheinterpretation oftherelevant provisions in
theAgreement onSafeguards bythecompetent bodies. Members arealsoreminded ofthe
provision inArticle 12.11 oftheAgreement onSafeguards, which reads asfollows: "The
provisionsonnotificationinthisAgreementshallnotrequireanyMembertodiscloseconfidential
information thedisclosure ofwhich would impede lawenforcement orotherwise becontrary
tothepublic interest orwould prejudice thelegitimate commercial interests ofparticular
enterprises, public orprivate."
1. Specify thetypeofmeasure (please seeArticle 11.1(b) andfootnote 4forexamples).
2. Specify theMembers concerned (please seetheANNEX totheAgreement onSafeguards for
anexample)
3. Specify theproduct subject tothemeasure.RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/SG/N/4
2February 1995
ORGANIZATION
(95-0188)
Committee onSafeguards
NOTIFICATION OFTHE EXCEPTION UNDER ARTICLE 11.2
OFTHE AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
1. Under Article 11.2oftheAgreement onSafeguards, allmeasures referred toinArticle 11.1(b)
havetobephased outorbrought intoconformity withtheAgreement bytheMembers within four
years afterthedateofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement, except foronespecific measure per
importing Member forwhich theduration oftheperiod willbemore thanfouryears, i.e.itwillbe
until31December 1999. Under Article 11.2oftheAgreement, suchanexception mustbemutually
agreed between theMembers directly concerned andnotified totheCommittee onSafeguards forits
review andacceptance within 90daysoftheentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement, i.e.notlater
than31March 1995.
2. MembersarethereforeinvitedtonotifytheexceptionunderArticle11.2whichhasbeenmutually
agreed between theMembers directly concerned. Notifications received inresponse tothisrequest
willbecirculated inaddenda tothisdocument.
3. Aformat issuggested below forthese notifications under Article 11.2oftheAgreement on
Safeguards inorder toassist Members tofocus onthetypeofinformation tobesubmitted inthe
notifications andtoobtain similar responses from different Members.
Suggested format fornotifications under Article 11.2oftheAgreement onSafeguards
Exception under Article 11.2which must bemutually agreed between
theMembers directly concerned andnotified totheCommittee onSafeguards
foritsreview andacceptance within 90daysoftheentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement
Notes: (a) Theformat issuggested without prejudice totheinterpretation oftherelevant provisions
intheAgreement onSafeguards bythecompetent bodies.
(b) Members arereminded oftheprovision inArticle 12.11 oftheAgreement on
Safeguards, which reads asfollows: "Theprovisions onnotification inthisAgreement
shallnotrequire anyMember todisclose confidential information thedisclosure of
which would impede lawenforcement orotherwise becontrary tothepublic interest
orwould prejudice thelegitimate commercial interests ofparticular enterprises, public
orprivate."
(c) Thisexception istobenotified bytheMember thatisimporting theproduct which
issubject tothemeasure described inArticle 11.1.
./.G/SG/N/4
Page2
1. Specify thetypeofmeasure (please seeArticle 11.1(b) andfootnote 4forexamples).
2. Specify theMembers concerned (please seetheANNEX totheAgreement onSafeguards for
anexample)
3. Specify theproduct subject tothemeasure.RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/SG/N/5
7February 1995
ORGANIZATION(95-0233)
Original: English Committee onSafeguards
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 11.2OFTHE AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
ONTIMETABLES FOR PHASING OUT MEASURES REFERRED TOINARTICLE 11.1(B)
ORFOR BRINGING THEM INTO CONFORMITY WITH THE AGREEMENT
1. Under Article 11.2oftheAgreement onSafeguards, thephasing outofmeasures referred to
inArticle 11.1(b) shallbecarried outaccording totimetables tobepresented totheCommittee on
Safeguards bytheMembers concerned notlaterthan180daysafterthedateofentry intoforce ofthe
WTO Agreement, i.e.by30June1995. These timetables shallprovide forallmeasures referred to
inArticle 11.1(b) tobephased outorbrought intoconformity withtheAgreement onSafeguards within
aperiod notexceeding fouryears afterthedateofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement, subject
tonotmore thanonespecific measure perimporting Member, theduration ofwhich shallnotextend
beyond 31December 1999.
2. Requests fornotifications ofmeasures referred toinArticle 11.1(b) andoftheexception under
Article 11.2, i.e."onespecific measure perimporting Member, theduration ofwhich shallnotextend
beyond 31December 1999", havealready beencirculated inG/SG/N/3 and4.Forthetimetables
tobeprovided under Article 11.2, aformat issuggested below toassist Members tofocus onthetype
ofinformation tobesubmitted inthenotifications andtoobtain similar responses from different
Members.
Suggested format fornotifications under Article 11.2oftheAgreement onSafeguards
Notification oftimetables tobepresented totheCommittee onSafeguards within 180days
aftertheentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement, forphasing outmeasures referred toin
Article 11.1(b) orforbringing them intoconformity withtheAgreement onSafeguards
Note: Theformat issuggested without prejudice totheinterpretation oftherelevant provisions in
theAgreement onSafeguards bythecompetent bodies. Members arealsoreminded ofthe
provision inArticle 12.11 oftheAgreement onSafeguards, which reads asfollows: "The
provisionsonnotificationinthisAgreementshallnotrequireanyMembertodiscloseconfidential
information thedisclosure ofwhich would impede lawenforcement orotherwise becontrary
tothepublic interest orwould prejudice thelegitimate commercial interests ofparticular
enterprises, public orprivate."
1. Specify thetypeofmeasure (please seeArticle 11.1(b) andfootnote 4forexamples).
2. Specify theMembers concerned (please seetheANNEX totheAgreement onSafeguards for
anexample)
./.G/SG/N/5
Page2
3. Specify theproduct subject tothemeasure.
4. Specify timetable forphasing outthemeasure orforbringing itintoconformity withthe
Agreement onSafeguards. Suchtimetables should bepresented totheCommittee onSafeguards both
forthose measures which havetobephased outorbrought intoconformity withtheAgreement on
Safeguards within fouryears afterthedateofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement andforthe"one
specific measure perimporting Member, theduration ofwhich shallnotextend beyond 31December
1999" (Article 11.2).RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/SG/N/6
7February 1995
ORGANIZATION(95-0234)
Original: English Committee onSafeguards
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(A) OFTHE AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
ONINITIATION OFANINVESTIGATION AND THE REASONS FOR IT
1. Under Article 12.1(a) oftheAgreement onSafeguards, aMember shallimmediately notify
theCommittee onSafeguards uponinitiating aninvestigatory process relating toserious injury orthreat
thereof andthereasons forit.
2. Inviewoftherequirement thatanotification hastobeprovided immediately upon initiating
aninvestigation, andthepossibility thatcertain Members mayneedtomake suchanotification prior
toanydiscussion ontherelevant format bytheCommittee onSafeguards, aformat issuggested below
forthesenotifications under Article 12.1(a) oftheAgreement onSafeguards toassist Members tofocus
onthetypeofinformation tobesubmitted inthenotifications andtoobtain similar responses from
different Members.
Suggested format fornotifications under Article 12.1(a) oftheAgreement onSafeguards
Notification totheCommittee onSafeguards upon initiation ofaninvestigation process
relating toserious injury orthreat thereof andthereasons forit
Note: Theformat issuggested without prejudice totheinterpretation oftherelevant provisions in
theAgreement onSafeguards bythecompetent bodies. Members arealsoreminded ofthe
provision inArticle 12.11 oftheAgreement onSafeguards, which reads asfollows: "The
provisionsonnotificationinthisAgreementshallnotrequireanyMembertodiscloseconfidential
information thedisclosure ofwhich would impede lawenforcement orotherwise becontrary
tothepublic interest orwould prejudice thelegitimate commercial interests ofparticular
enterprises, public orprivate."
1. Specify thedatewhen theinvestigation wasinitiated.
2. Specify theproduct subject totheinvestigation.
3. Provide thereasons fortheinitiation ofinvestigation, forexample:
(i) Wastheinvestigationinitiatedpursuanttoapetitionfromthedomesticindustry?
(ii) Evidence onthebasis ofwhich theinvestigation wasinitiated.
(iii) Evidence, ifany,oncritical circumstances where delay would cause damage
which itwould bedifficult torepair.RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/SG/1
1July1996
ORGANIZATION(96-2500)
Committee onSafeguards
FORMATS FOR CERTAIN NOTIFICATIONS
UNDER THE AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
Note from theSecretariat
Theattached document, which waspartofpreviously circulated document G/SG/W/1, contains
formats forcertain adhocnotifications required under theAgreement onSafeguards. These formats
wereapproved bytheCommittee atitsmeeting of24February 1995 (seeG/SG/M/1, paras. 35and
36).Certain partsofG/SG/W/1 already havebeencirculated asdocuments G/SG/N/1 toN/6. Thus,
onlythose formats contained inG/SG/W/1 thathavenotalready beencirculated asdocuments ofthe
Safeguards Committee areattached. Theintroductory notetothedocument waspartofthepreviously
circulated /Wdocument.
_______________
Note: These formats arewithout prejudice totheinterpretation oftherelevant provisions
intheAgreement onSafeguards bythecompetent bodies. Members arealsoreminded
oftheprovision inArticle 12.11 oftheAgreement onSafeguards, which reads as
follows: "The provisions onnotification inthisAgreement shall notrequire any
Member todisclose confidential information thedisclosure ofwhich would impede
lawenforcement orotherwise becontrary tothepublic interest orwould prejudice
thelegitimate commercial interests ofparticular enterprises, public orprivate."
I.Notifications under Article 9,Footnote 2
Notification totheCommittee onSafeguards ofnon-application ofsafeguard measure todeveloping
countries under Article 9.1oftheAgreement onSafeguards
Note: Inaddition totheinformation received fromtheWTO Members regarding theaction
under Article 9.1oftheAgreement onSafeguards, thedocument circulated tothe
Members willalsoinclude references totheWTO documents through which the
corresponding notifications under Article 12.1(b) and(c)arecirculated totheWTO
Members. Thereferences tothecorresponding notifications under Article 12.1(b)
and(c)willbeprovided bytheSecretariat, because thesenotifications maybereleased
simultaneously withthenotification under Article 9,footnote 2,andthenotifying
MembermaynothaveinformationonreferencestothecorrespondingWTOdocuments.
1. Specify themeasure.
2. Specify theproduct subject tothemeasure.
3. Specify thedeveloping countries towhich themeasure isnotapplied under Article 9.1ofthe
Agreement onSafeguards, andtheimport shares ofthese countries individually andcollectively.G/SG/1
Page2
4. Subsequently, ifthereisachange inthelistofdeveloping countries exempted fromthesafeguard
measure pursuant toArticle 9.1,please notify:
(i) thereference totheWTO document thatnotified theMembers about theinitial
action under footnote 2toArticle 9.1;
(ii) ifapplicable, names ofthecountries which aredropped from thelistof
developing countries towhich thesafeguard measure doesnotapply pursuant
toArticle 9.1,thelistofthecountries remaining onthelist,theindividual
andcollective import shares ofthedeveloping countries remaining onthelist,
andthedateonwhich thesafeguard measure applies tothecountries dropped
from thelist;
(iii) ifapplicable, names ofthecountries which areadded tothelistofdeveloping
countriestowhichthesafeguardmeasuredoesnotapplypursuanttoArticle9.1,
thelistofallthecountries onthelist,theindividual andcollective import shares
ofthedeveloping countries onthelist,andthedatefromwhich thesafeguard
measure doesnotapply tothecountries which areadded tothelist.
II. Notifications under Article 12.1(b) and(c)
Notification totheCommittee onSafeguards uponmaking afinding ofserious injury orthreat thereof
caused byincreased imports; notification upontaking adecision toapply orextend asafeguard measure
Notes: (1) Thenotifications under Article 12.1(b) and(c)havetomade
"immediately"upon"makingafinding"or"takingadecision".
Itispossible thatthetiming of"making afinding" and"taking
adecision" differs toanextent thatnotifications under
Article 12.1(b) might bemade separately from notifications
under Article 12.1(c). Inthatsituation, itispossible that
certain information requested intheformat may notbe
available when anotification under Article 12.1(b) ismade.
Ifinformation onanyitemisnotavailable when anotification
under Article 12.1(b) ismade, please indicate thisbystating
"notavailable" fortherelevant items intheformat suggested
below.
(2) Ifthenotifications onArticle 12.1(b) and(c)aremade
separately, please provide thereference tothenotification
under Article 12.1(b) inthenotification under Article 12.1(c).
1. Provide evidence ofserious injury orthreat thereof caused byincreased imports.
2. Provide information onwhether thereisanabsolute increase inimports oranincrease inimports
relative todomestic production (please seealsoArticle 2.1forthecontext).
3. Provide precise description oftheproduct involved.
4. Provide precise description oftheproposed measure.
5. Provide proposed dateofintroduction ofthemeasure.G/SG/1
Page3
6. Provide expected duration ofthemeasure.
7. Forameasure withaduration ofmore thanthree years, provide theproposed dateforthe
review (under Article 7.4)tobeheldnotlaterthanthemid-term ofthemeasure, ifsuchadatefor
thereview hasalready beenscheduled.
8. Iftheexpecteddurationisoveroneyear,provideexpectedtimetableforprogressiveliberalization
ofthemeasure.
9. Ifthemeasure isbeing extended, alsoprovide:
(i) evidence thattheindustry concerned isadjusting andthatthesafeguard measure
continues tobenecessary toprevent orremedy serious injury;
(ii) reference totheWTO document thatnotified theinitial application ofthe
measure;
(iii) duration ofthemeasure from initial application tillthedateatwhich itwill
beextended; and,
(iv) precise description ofthemeasure inplace prior tothedateofextension (in
thiscontext, please notethatthelastsentence ofArticle 7.4states that: "A
measure extended under paragraph 2shallnotbemore restrictive thanitwas
attheendoftheinitial period, andshould continue tobeliberalized.")
III. Notifications under Article 12.4
Notification totheCommittee onSafeguards before taking aprovisional safeguard measure referred
toinArticle 6
1. Specify theproduct subject totheproposed provisional safeguard measure.
2. Specify theproposed provisional safeguard measure.
3. Specify theproposed dateofintroduction oftheprovisional safeguard measure.
4. Specify theexpected duration oftheprovisional safeguard measure, ifanydecision onthe
duration ofthemeasure hasbeenmade.
5. Provide thebasis for:
(i) making apreliminary determination, asprovided forinArticle 6,thatincreased
imports havecaused orarethreatening tocause serious injury ;and,
(ii) determining thatthere arecritical circumstances where delay would cause
damage which itwould bedifficult torepair.G/SG/W/1
Page4
IV. Notifications under Article 12.5
(a) Immediate notification totheCouncil forTrade inGoods oftheresults ofthe
consultations referred toinArticle 12,namely, priorconsultations under Article 12.3
orconsultations under Article 12.4initiated immediately aftertheprovisional safeguard
measure istaken
Note: Thenotification oftheresults oftheconsultations referred toinArticle 12should,
ifpossible, beprovided jointly bytheMember thattakes thesafeguard action andthe
Member thatseeks consultations under Articles 12.3or12.4.
1. Specify theprovision under which consultations wereheld(i.e.Article 12.3orArticle 12.4).
2. Provide reference totheWTO document thatnotified thesafeguard action regarding which
consultations were heldunder Article 12.3or12.4.
3. Specify theMembers involved intheconsultations, andprovide thetimeperiod during which
consultations were held.
4. Describe theresults oftheconsultations.
(b) Immediate notification totheCouncil forTrade inGoods oftheresults ofthemid-term
reviews referred toinparagraph 4ofArticle 7
1. Specify themeasure andtheproduct subject tothemeasure forwhich themid-term review
wasconducted, andprovide reference totheWTO document thatnotified thesafeguard measure subject
tothereview.
2. Provide thedates ofinitiation andconclusion ofthereview.
3. Describe theresults ofthereview, providing some detail onthebasisforreaching those results.
4. Indicate whether:
(i) themeasure hasbeen, orwillbe,withdrawn asaresult ofthereview. Ifyes,
thenindicate thedateofwithdrawal; and,
(ii) thepaceofliberalization hasbeen, orwillbe,increased asaresult ofthe
review. Ifyes, then indicate therevised time-table forprogressive
liberalization.
(c) Immediate notification totheCouncil forTrade inGoods ofanyformofcompensation
referred toinparagraph 1ofArticle 8
Note: Thisnotification should, ifpossible, besubmitted jointly bytheMember taking the
safeguard measure andtheMember(s) agreeing toaccept trade compensation under
Article 8.1.
1. Specify themeasure andtheproduct subject tothemeasure regarding which there wasan
agreement onanadequate means oftrade compensation under Article 8.1,andprovide reference to
theWTO document thatnotified thesafeguard measure.
2. Specify which Member(s) agreed tothetrade compensation under Article 8.1.G/SG/W/1
Page5G/SG/1
Page5
3. Describe thetrade compensation thatwasagreed byeachoftheMembers involved.
4. Provide thedatefrom which thecompensation willapply fortheMembers involved.
(d) Immediate notification totheCouncil forTrade inGoods ofproposed suspension of
concessions andother obligations referred toinparagraph 2ofArticle 8
Note: Thisnotification istobeprovided bytheMember proposing suspension ofconcessions
andother obligations referred toinArticle 8.2.
1. Which Member isproposing suspension ofconcessions andother obligations referred toin
Article 8.2.
2. Specify themeasure, theproduct subject tothemeasure, theWTO document thatnotified the
safeguard measure, andtheMember imposing themeasure inrelation towhich theMember isproposing
suspension ofconcessions andother obligations referred toinArticle 8.2.
3. Describe theproposed suspension ofconcessions andotherobligations referred toinArticle 8.2,
andtheproposed datefrom which itwillcome intoeffect.RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/SG/2
1July1996
ORGANIZATION(96--2501)
Committee onSafeguards
NOTE FROM THE SECRETARIAT
Atits6May1996 special meeting, theCommittee onSafeguards approved thefollowing
notification format tobeusedbyMembers thatterminate safeguard investigations without imposing
safeguard measures (e.g.duetoanegative injury orcausation finding). Thisformat wasdeveloped
pursuant totheCommittee 'sdecision atits6November regular meeting thatsuchnotifications should
bemade.
_______________
Information tobeNotified totheCommittee Where aSafeguard
Investigation isTerminated With NoSafeguard Measure Imposed
1. Specify theproduct subject toinvestigation.
2. Identify theWTO document containing thenotification ofinitiation.
3. Specify thedateonwhich theinvestigation wasterminated.
4. Identify thereason(s) fortermination (e.g.petition withdrawn; negative determination ofinjury;
negative determination ofcausation, etc.).
5. Provide thereference forthepublished notice oftermination (name ofnotifying Member 's
official journal, dateandpagenumber atwhich notice appeared inthejournal).
6. Provide anyother information thatthenotifying Member mayconsider relevant.SG-IV -Page1
SG-IV
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
"MOCK" EXAMPLESSG-IV -Page2
"MOCK" EXAMPLES OFNOTIFICATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 12.6OFTHE AGREEMENT
Case 1: Nosafeguard lawsand/or regulations areinexistence inyourcountry.
Asimple letter stating thisfactissufficient.1
EXAMPLE:
"With reference toArticle 12.6oftheAgreement onSafeguards, theGovernment of
[name ofMember] notifies theCommittee onSafeguards thatithasnolawsand/or
regulations relevant totheAgreement".
Case 2: Nospecific safeguard lawsand/or regulations areinexistence inyourcountry BUT
theAgreement is(a)incorporated intonational lawor(b)hasforce oflaw.
Thenotification should stateeither (a)or(b),andinthecasethat(a)applies, should be
accompanied byacopy ofthedomestic legal instrument incorporating theAgreement into
national law,ifsuchexists.
EXAMPLES:
(a) "With reference toArticle 12.6 oftheAgreement onSafeguards, the
Government of[name ofMember] notifies theCommittee onSafeguards that
ithasnolawsand/or regulations relevant totheAgreement. TheAgreement
wasincorporated innational lawbyActNumber of[date], published in
theOfficial Gazette on[date]. AcopyofthatActisenclosed."
(b) "With reference toArticle 12.6 oftheAgreement onSafeguards, the
Government of[name ofMember] notifies theCommittee onSafeguards that
ithasnolawsand/or regulations relevant totheAgreement. TheAgreement
isapplied withforce oflawin[name ofMember]."
Case 3: Nosafeguard lawsand/or regulations areinexistence BUT yourcountry isinthe
process ofdeveloping suchlawsand/or regulations.
Thenotification should statethisfact,andshould stateanestimated datewhen suchlawsand/or
regulations willtakeeffect andwillbenotified totheCommittee.
EXAMPLE:
"With reference toArticle 12.6oftheAgreement onSafeguards, theGovernment of
[name ofMember] notifies theCommittee onSafeguards thatithasnolawsand/or
regulations relevant totheAgreement. Suchlawsand/or regulations arecurrently being
drafted andenactment isexpected in[month, year] atwhich timeatranslation into
aWTO language willbeprepared andthelawwillbenotified totheCommittee."
1Thefactthatnosafeguard lawsorregulations areinexistence atthetimethenotification ismade
doesnotmean thatsuchlegislation cannot beintroduced infuture andinnowaycircumscribes the
Member 'srighttodevelop suchlegislation.SG-IV -Page3
Case 4: There arecurrently safeguard lawsand/or regulations inexistence inyourcountry.
TheMember should submit totheCommittee, inEnglish, French, orSpanish, thefulltext
ofthelaws and/or regulations regardless ofthedateofenactment ofsuch laws and/or
regulations.
Case 5: There arecurrently safeguard lawsand/or regulations inexistence inyourcountry
BUT thetextofthelawsand/or regulations isinalanguage other thanEnglish,
French orSpanish.
TheMember should translate thetextintoEnglish, French orSpanish andsubmit thefull
translated texttotheCommittee. Inthemeantime, aletter stating theexistence ofsuchlaws
and/or regulations, andthedateonwhich theCommittee canexpect toreceive thetranslated
text,should besenttotheCommittee.
EXAMPLE:
"With reference toArticle 12.6oftheAgreement onSafeguards, theGovernment of
[name ofMember] notifies theCommittee onSafeguards thatithaslaws and/or
regulations relevant totheAgreement. Suchlawsand/or regulations arecurrently being
translated into[English] [French] [Spanish], anditisanticipated thatthefulltextwill
benotified totheCommittee in[month, year]."
Case 6: There arecurrently safeguard lawsand/or regulations inexistence inyourcountry
BUT newlawsand/or regulations arebeing drafted.
TheMember should submit totheCommittee, inEnglish, French, orSpanish, thefulltext
ofthecurrently existing lawsand/or regulations regardless ofthedateofenactment ofsuch
lawsand/or regulations. Inaddition, aletter stating thefactthatnewlawsand/or regulations
arebeing drafted, andstating anestimated datewhen suchlawsand/or regulations willtake
effect andwillbenotified totheCommittee, should besenttotheCommittee.
EXAMPLE:
"With reference toArticle 12.6oftheAgreement onSafeguards, theGovernment of
[name ofMember] submits theenclosed laws and/or regulations relevant tothe
Agreement. Inaddition, theGovernment of[name ofMember] wishes toinform the
Committee thatnewlawsand/or regulations arecurrently being drafted. Enactment
isexpected in[month, year], atwhich timeatranslation intoaWTO language will
beprepared andthelawwillbenotified totheCommittee."SG-V -Page1
SG-V
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
TEXT OFTHE AGREEMENTSG-V -Page2
AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
Members,
Having inmindtheoverall objective oftheMembers toimprove andstrengthen theinternational
trading system based onGATT 1994;
Recognizing theneedtoclarify andreinforce thedisciplines ofGATT 1994, andspecifically
thoseofitsArticleXIX(EmergencyActiononImportsofParticularProducts),tore-establishmultilateral
control oversafeguards andeliminate measures thatescape suchcontrol;
Recognizing theimportance ofstructural adjustment andtheneedtoenhance rather thanlimit
competition ininternational markets; and
Recognizing further that,forthese purposes, acomprehensive agreement, applicable toall
Members andbased onthebasic principles ofGATT 1994, iscalled for;
Hereby agree asfollows:
Article 1
General Provision
ThisAgreement establishes rules fortheapplication ofsafeguard measures which shall be
understood tomean those measures provided forinArticle XIXofGATT 1994.
Article 2
Conditions
1. AMember1mayapply asafeguard measure toaproduct onlyifthatMember hasdetermined,
pursuant totheprovisions setoutbelow, thatsuchproduct isbeing imported intoitsterritory insuch
increased quantities, absolute orrelative todomestic production, andunder suchconditions astocause
orthreaten tocause serious injury tothedomestic industry thatproduces likeordirectly competitive
products.
2. Safeguard measures shallbeapplied toaproduct being imported irrespective ofitssource.
1Acustoms union mayapply asafeguard measure asasingle unitoronbehalf ofamember State.
When acustoms union applies asafeguard measure asasingle unit, alltherequirements forthe
determination ofserious injury orthreat thereof under thisAgreement shallbebased ontheconditions
existing inthecustoms union asawhole. When asafeguard measure isapplied onbehalf ofamember
State, alltherequirements forthedetermination ofserious injury orthreat thereof shallbebased on
theconditions existing inthatmember State andthemeasure shallbelimited tothatmember State.
Nothing inthisAgreement prejudges theinterpretation oftherelationship between Article XIXand
paragraph 8ofArticle XXIV ofGATT 1994.SG-V -Page3
Article 3
Investigation
1. AMember mayapply asafeguard measure onlyfollowing aninvestigation bythecompetent
authorities ofthatMember pursuant toprocedures previously established andmade public inconsonance
withArticle XofGATT 1994. Thisinvestigation shallinclude reasonable public notice toallinterested
parties andpublic hearings orotherappropriate means inwhich importers, exporters andotherinterested
parties could present evidence andtheirviews, including theopportunity torespond tothepresentations
ofother parties andtosubmit theirviews, interalia,astowhether ornottheapplication ofasafeguard
measure would beinthepublic interest. Thecompetent authorities shallpublish areport setting forth
theirfindings andreasoned conclusions reached onallpertinent issues offactandlaw.
2. Anyinformation which isbynature confidential orwhich isprovided onaconfidential basis
shall, uponcause being shown, betreated assuchbythecompetent authorities. Suchinformation shall
notbedisclosed without permission ofthepartysubmitting it.Parties providing confidential information
mayberequested tofurnish non-confidential summaries thereof or,ifsuchparties indicate thatsuch
information cannot besummarized, thereasons whyasummary cannot beprovided. However, ifthe
competent authorities findthatarequest forconfidentiality isnotwarranted andiftheparty concerned
iseitherunwillingtomaketheinformationpublicortoauthorizeitsdisclosureingeneralizedorsummary
form, theauthorities maydisregard suchinformation unless itcanbedemonstrated totheirsatisfaction
from appropriate sources thattheinformation iscorrect.
Article 4
Determination ofSerious Injury orThreat Thereof
1. Forthepurposes ofthisAgreement:
(a) "serious injury" shallbeunderstood tomean asignificant overall impairment inthe
position ofadomestic industry;
(b) "threat ofserious injury" shallbeunderstood tomean serious injury thatisclearly
imminent, inaccordance withtheprovisions ofparagraph 2.Adetermination ofthe
existence ofathreat ofserious injury shall bebased onfacts andnotmerely on
allegation, conjecture orremote possibility; and
(c) indetermining injury orthreat thereof, a"domestic industry" shallbeunderstood to
mean theproducers asawhole ofthelikeordirectly competitive products operating
within theterritory ofaMember, orthose whose collective output ofthelikeordirectly
competitive products constitutes amajor proportion ofthetotaldomestic production
ofthose products.
2. (a) Intheinvestigation todetermine whether increased imports have caused orare
threatening tocause serious injury toadomestic industry under theterms ofthisAgreement, the
competent authorities shallevaluate allrelevant factors ofanobjective andquantifiable nature having
abearing onthesituation ofthatindustry, inparticular, therateandamount oftheincrease inimports
oftheproduct concerned inabsolute andrelative terms, theshare ofthedomestic market taken by
increased imports, changes inthelevelofsales, production, productivity, capacity utilization, profits
andlosses, andemployment.
(b) Thedetermination referred toinsubparagraph (a)shall notbemade unless this
investigation demonstrates, onthebasisofobjective evidence, theexistence ofthecausal linkbetween
increased imports oftheproduct concerned andserious injury orthreat thereof. When factors otherSG-V -Page4
thanincreased imports arecausing injury tothedomestic industry atthesame time, suchinjury shall
notbeattributed toincreased imports.
(c) Thecompetent authorities shallpublish promptly, inaccordance withtheprovisions
ofArticle 3,adetailed analysis ofthecaseunder investigation aswellasademonstration oftherelevance
ofthefactors examined.
Article 5
Application ofSafeguard Measures
1. AMember shallapply safeguard measures onlytotheextent necessary toprevent orremedy
serious injury andtofacilitate adjustment. Ifaquantitative restriction isused, suchameasure shall
notreduce thequantity ofimports below thelevel ofarecent period which shallbetheaverage of
imports inthelastthreerepresentative years forwhich statistics areavailable, unless clearjustification
isgiven thatadifferent levelisnecessary toprevent orremedy serious injury. Members should choose
measures most suitable fortheachievement ofthese objectives.
2. (a) Incases inwhich aquota isallocated among supplying countries, theMember applying
therestrictions mayseekagreement withrespect totheallocation ofshares inthequota withallother
Members having asubstantial interest insupplying theproduct concerned. Incasesinwhich thismethod
isnotreasonably practicable, theMember concerned shallallottoMembers having asubstantial interest
insupplying theproduct shares based upontheproportions, supplied bysuchMembers during aprevious
representative period, ofthetotalquantity orvalue ofimports oftheproduct, dueaccount being taken
ofanyspecial factors which mayhaveaffected ormaybeaffecting thetrade intheproduct.
(b) AMembermaydepartfromtheprovisionsinsubparagraph(a)providedthatconsultations
under paragraph 3ofArticle 12areconducted under theauspices oftheCommittee onSafeguards
provided forinparagraph 1ofArticle 13andthatcleardemonstration isprovided totheCommittee
that(i)imports fromcertain Members haveincreased indisproportionate percentage inrelation tothe
totalincrease ofimports oftheproduct concerned intherepresentative period, (ii)thereasons for
thedeparture from theprovisions insubparagraph (a)arejustified, and(iii)theconditions ofsuch
departure areequitable toallsuppliers oftheproduct concerned. Theduration ofanysuchmeasure
shallnotbeextended beyond theinitial period under paragraph 1ofArticle 7.Thedeparture referred
toabove shallnotbepermitted inthecaseofthreat ofserious injury.
Article 6
Provisional Safeguard Measures
Incritical circumstances where delay would cause damage which itwould bedifficult torepair,
aMember maytakeaprovisional safeguard measure pursuant toapreliminary determination thatthere
isclearevidence thatincreased imports havecaused orarethreatening tocause serious injury. The
duration oftheprovisional measure shall notexceed 200days, during which period thepertinent
requirements ofArticles 2through 7and12shallbemet. Such measures should taketheform of
tariff increases tobepromptly refunded ifthesubsequent investigation referred toinparagraph 2of
Article 4doesnotdetermine thatincreased imports havecaused orthreatened tocause serious injury
toadomestic industry. Theduration ofanysuchprovisional measure shallbecounted asapartof
theinitial period andanyextension referred toinparagraphs 1,2and3ofArticle 7.SG-V -Page5
Article 7
Duration andReview ofSafeguard Measures
1. AMember shallapply safeguard measures onlyforsuchperiod oftimeasmaybenecessary
toprevent orremedy serious injury andtofacilitate adjustment. Theperiod shallnotexceed fouryears,
unless itisextended under paragraph 2.
2. Theperiod mentioned inparagraph 1maybeextended provided thatthecompetent authorities
oftheimporting Member havedetermined, inconformity withtheprocedures setoutinArticles 2,
3,4and5,thatthesafeguard measure continues tobenecessary toprevent orremedy serious injury
andthatthere isevidence thattheindustry isadjusting, andprovided thatthepertinent provisions
ofArticles 8and12areobserved.
3. Thetotalperiod ofapplication ofasafeguard measure including theperiod ofapplication of
anyprovisional measure, theperiod ofinitial application andanyextension thereof, shallnotexceed
eight years.
4. Inorder tofacilitate adjustment inasituation where theexpected duration ofasafeguard measure
asnotified under theprovisions ofparagraph 1ofArticle 12isoveroneyear, theMember applying
themeasure shallprogressively liberalize itatregular intervals during theperiod ofapplication. If
theduration ofthemeasure exceeds three years, theMember applying suchameasure shallreview
thesituation notlaterthanthemid-term ofthemeasure and,ifappropriate, withdraw itorincrease
thepaceofliberalization. Ameasure extended under paragraph 2shallnotbemore restrictive than
itwasattheendoftheinitial period, andshould continue tobeliberalized.
5. Nosafeguard measure shallbeapplied again totheimport ofaproduct which hasbeensubject
tosuchameasure, taken afterthedateofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement, foraperiod of
timeequal tothatduring which suchmeasure hadbeenpreviously applied, provided thattheperiod
ofnon-application isatleasttwoyears.
6. Notwithstanding theprovisions ofparagraph 5,asafeguard measure withaduration of180days
orlessmaybeapplied again totheimport ofaproduct if:
(a) atleastoneyearhaselapsed since thedateofintroduction ofasafeguard measure on
theimport ofthatproduct; and
(b) suchasafeguard measure hasnotbeenapplied onthesame product more thantwice
inthefive-year period immediately preceding thedateofintroduction ofthemeasure.
Article 8
Level ofConcessions andOther Obligations
1. AMember proposing toapply asafeguard measure orseeking anextension ofasafeguard
measure shallendeavour tomaintain asubstantially equivalent levelofconcessions andotherobligations
tothatexisting under GATT 1994 between itandtheexporting Members which would beaffected
bysuchameasure, inaccordance withtheprovisions ofparagraph 3ofArticle 12.Toachieve this
objective, theMembers concerned mayagree onanyadequate means oftrade compensation forthe
adverse effects ofthemeasure ontheirtrade.
2. Ifnoagreement isreached within 30daysintheconsultations under paragraph 3ofArticle 12,
thentheaffected exporting Members shallbefree,notlaterthan90daysafterthemeasure isapplied,
tosuspend, upon theexpiration of30daysfrom thedayonwhich written notice ofsuchsuspension
isreceived bytheCouncil forTrade inGoods, theapplication ofsubstantially equivalent concessionsSG-V -Page6
orother obligations under GATT 1994, tothetrade oftheMember applying thesafeguard measure,
thesuspension ofwhich theCouncil forTrade inGoods doesnotdisapprove.
3. Theright ofsuspension referred toinparagraph 2shallnotbeexercised forthefirstthree
years thatasafeguard measure isineffect, provided thatthesafeguard measure hasbeentaken asa
result ofanabsolute increase inimports andthatsuchameasure conforms totheprovisions ofthis
Agreement.
Article 9
Developing Country Members
1. Safeguard measures shallnotbeapplied against aproduct originating inadeveloping country
Member aslongasitsshare ofimports oftheproduct concerned intheimporting Member doesnot
exceed 3percent,provided thatdeveloping country Members withlessthan3percentimport share
collectively account fornotmore than9percentoftotalimports oftheproduct concerned.2
2. Adeveloping country Member shallhavetherighttoextend theperiod ofapplication ofa
safeguard measure foraperiod ofuptotwoyears beyond themaximum period provided forin
paragraph 3ofArticle 7.Notwithstanding theprovisions ofparagraph 5ofArticle 7,adeveloping
country Member shallhavetherighttoapply asafeguard measure again totheimport ofaproduct
which hasbeensubject tosuchameasure, taken afterthedateofentryintoforceoftheWTO Agreement,
afteraperiod oftimeequal tohalfthatduring which suchameasure hasbeenpreviously applied,
provided thattheperiod ofnon-application isatleasttwoyears.
Article 10
Pre-existing Article XIXMeasures
Members shallterminate allsafeguard measures taken pursuant toArticle XIXofGATT 1947
thatwereinexistence onthedateofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement notlaterthaneightyears
afterthedateonwhich theywere firstapplied orfiveyears afterthedateofentry intoforce ofthe
WTO Agreement, whichever comes later.
Article 11
Prohibition andElimination ofCertain Measures
1. (a) AMember shallnottakeorseekanyemergency action onimports ofparticular products
assetforth inArticle XIXofGATT 1994 unless suchaction conforms withtheprovisions ofthat
Article applied inaccordance withthisAgreement.
(b) Furthermore, aMember shallnotseek,takeormaintain anyvoluntary export restraints,
orderly marketing arrangements oranyother similar measures ontheexport ortheimport side.3,4
2AMember shallimmediately notify anaction taken under paragraph 1ofArticle 9totheCommittee
onSafeguards.
3Animport quota applied asasafeguard measure inconformity withtherelevant provisions of
GATT 1994andthisAgreement may,bymutual agreement, beadministered bytheexporting Member.SG-V -Page7
These include actions taken byasingle Member aswellasactions under agreements, arrangements
andunderstandings entered intobytwoormore Members. Anysuchmeasure ineffect onthedate
ofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement shallbebrought intoconformity withthisAgreement or
phased outinaccordance withparagraph 2.
(c) ThisAgreement doesnotapply tomeasures sought, taken ormaintained byaMember
pursuant toprovisions ofGATT 1994 other thanArticle XIX, andMultilateral Trade Agreements in
Annex1AotherthanthisAgreement,orpursuanttoprotocolsandagreementsorarrangementsconcluded
within theframework ofGATT 1994.
2. Thephasing outofmeasures referred toinparagraph 1(b)shallbecarried outaccording to
timetables tobepresented totheCommittee onSafeguards bytheMembers concerned notlaterthan
180daysafterthedateofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement. These timetables shallprovide
forallmeasures referred toinparagraph 1tobephased outorbrought intoconformity withthis
Agreement within aperiod notexceeding fouryears after thedateofentry intoforce ofthe
WTO Agreement, subject tonotmore thanonespecific measure perimporting Member5,theduration
ofwhich shallnotextend beyond 31December 1999. Anysuchexception mustbemutually agreed
between theMembers directly concerned andnotified totheCommittee onSafeguards foritsreview
andacceptance within 90daysoftheentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement. TheAnnex tothis
Agreement indicates ameasure which hasbeenagreed asfalling under thisexception.
3. Members shallnotencourage orsupport theadoption ormaintenance bypublic andprivate
enterprises ofnon-governmental measures equivalent tothose referred toinparagraph 1.
Article 12
Notification andConsultation
1. AMember shallimmediately notify theCommittee onSafeguards upon:
(a) initiating aninvestigatory process relating toserious injury orthreat thereof andthe
reasons forit;
(b) making afinding ofserious injury orthreat thereof caused byincreased imports; and
(c) taking adecision toapply orextend asafeguard measure.
2. Inmaking thenotifications referred toinparagraphs 1(b)and1(c), theMember proposing
toapply orextend asafeguard measure shallprovide theCommittee onSafeguards withallpertinent
information, which shallinclude evidence ofserious injury orthreat thereof caused byincreased imports,
precise description oftheproduct involved andtheproposed measure, proposed dateofintroduction,
expected duration andtimetable forprogressive liberalization. Inthecaseofanextension ofameasure,
evidence thattheindustry concerned isadjusting shallalsobeprovided. TheCouncil forTrade in
Goods ortheCommittee onSafeguards mayrequest suchadditional information astheymayconsider
necessary from theMember proposing toapply orextend themeasure.
4(...continued)4Examples ofsimilar measures include export moderation, export-price orimport-price monitoring
systems, export orimport surveillance, compulsory import cartels anddiscretionary export orimport
licensing schemes, anyofwhich afford protection.
5Theonlysuchexception towhich theEuropean Communities isentitled isindicated intheAnnex
tothisAgreement.SG-V -Page8
3. AMember proposing toapply orextend asafeguard measure shallprovide adequate opportunity
forprior consultations withthose Members having asubstantial interest asexporters oftheproduct
concerned,withaviewto,interalia,reviewingtheinformationprovidedunderparagraph2,exchanging
views onthemeasure andreaching anunderstanding onways toachieve theobjective setoutin
paragraph 1ofArticle 8.
4. AMember shallmake anotification totheCommittee onSafeguards before taking aprovisional
safeguardmeasurereferredtoinArticle6.Consultationsshallbeinitiatedimmediatelyafterthemeasure
istaken.
5. Theresults oftheconsultations referred tointhisArticle, aswellastheresults ofmid-term
reviews referred toinparagraph 4ofArticle 7,anyformofcompensation referred toinparagraph 1
ofArticle 8,andproposed suspensions ofconcessions andother obligations referred toinparagraph 2
ofArticle 8,shallbenotified immediately totheCouncil forTrade inGoods bytheMembers concerned.
6. Members shallnotify promptly theCommittee onSafeguards oftheirlaws, regulations and
administrative procedures relating tosafeguard measures aswellasanymodifications made tothem.
7. Members maintaining measures described inArticle 10andparagraph 1ofArticle 11which
existonthedateofentryintoforceoftheWTO Agreement shallnotify suchmeasures totheCommittee
onSafeguards notlaterthan60daysafterthedateofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement.
8. AnyMember maynotify theCommittee onSafeguards ofalllaws, regulations, administrative
procedures andanymeasures oractions dealtwithinthisAgreement thathavenotbeennotified by
other Members thatarerequired bythisAgreement tomake suchnotifications.
9. AnyMember maynotify theCommittee onSafeguards ofanynon-governmental measures
referred toinparagraph 3ofArticle 11.
10. Allnotifications totheCouncil forTrade inGoods referred tointhisAgreement shallnormally
bemade through theCommittee onSafeguards.
11. Theprovisions onnotification inthisAgreement shallnotrequire anyMember todisclose
confidential information thedisclosure ofwhich would impede lawenforcement orotherwise becontrary
tothepublic interest orwould prejudice thelegitimate commercial interests ofparticular enterprises,
public orprivate.
Article 13
Surveillance
1. ACommittee onSafeguards ishereby established, under theauthority oftheCouncil forTrade
inGoods, which shallbeopentotheparticipation ofanyMember indicating itswishtoserve onit.
TheCommittee willhavethefollowing functions:
(a) tomonitor, andreport annually totheCouncil forTrade inGoods on,thegeneral
implementationofthisAgreementandmakerecommendationstowardsitsimprovement;
(b) tofind,uponrequestofanaffectedMember,whetherornottheproceduralrequirements
ofthisAgreement havebeencomplied withinconnection withasafeguard measure,
andreport itsfindings totheCouncil forTrade inGoods;
(c) toassist Members, iftheysorequest, intheirconsultations under theprovisions of
thisAgreement;SG-V -Page9
(d) toexamine measures covered byArticle 10andparagraph 1ofArticle 11,monitor
thephase-out ofsuchmeasures andreport asappropriate totheCouncil forTrade in
Goods;
(e) toreview, attherequest oftheMember taking asafeguard measure, whether proposals
tosuspend concessions orother obligations are"substantially equivalent", andreport
asappropriate totheCouncil forTrade inGoods;
(f) toreceive andreview allnotifications provided forinthisAgreement andreport as
appropriate totheCouncil forTrade inGoods; and
(g) toperform anyotherfunction connected withthisAgreement thattheCouncil forTrade
inGoods maydetermine.
2. Toassist theCommittee incarrying outitssurveillance function, theSecretariat shallprepare
annually afactual report ontheoperation ofthisAgreement based onnotifications andother reliable
information available toit.
Article 14
Dispute Settlement
Theprovisions ofArticles XXII andXXIII ofGATT 1994 aselaborated andapplied bythe
Dispute Settlement Understanding shallapply toconsultations andthesettlement ofdisputes arising
under thisAgreement.SG-V -Page10
ANNEX
EXCEPTION REFERRED TOINPARAGRAPH 2OFARTICLE 11
Members concerned Product Termination
EC/Japan Passenger cars, offroad
vehicles, lightcommercial
vehicles, lighttrucks (up
to5tonnes), andthesame
vehicles inwholly
knocked-down form (CKD
sets).31December 1999