RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/ADP/AHG/W/44
24April 1998
ORGANIZATION(98-1668)
Committee onAnti-Dumping Practices
AdHocGroup onImplementation
COMPILATION OFINFORMATION PROVIDED BY
MEMBERS REGARDING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Note bytheSecretariat
AsrequestedbytheAdHocGrouponImplementationatitsOctober1997meeting,thisdocument
compiles information submitted byMembers inresponse toWTO/AIR/643 regarding confidential
information.
_______________
Exerpted from: Page
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/8 (Hungary) ..................................2
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/10 (New Zealand) ..............................2
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/12 (Venezuela) ................................3
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/14 (Turkey) ..................................4
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/15 (Mexico) ..................................4
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/17 (Korea) ...................................6
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/19 (Brazil) ..................................6
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/21 (European Community) ........................6
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/23 (Japan) ...................................7
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/24 (Israel) ....................................8
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/25 (Thailand) .................................8
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/26 (United States) ..............................8
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/29 (Australia) ................................10
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/31 (Canada) ..................................14
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/34 (Colombia) ................................15
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/35 (Turkey) ..................................16
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/38 (Venezuela) ...............................16
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/39 (Colombia) ................................17
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/40 (Argentina) ...............................20
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/41 (United States) .............................22
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/42 (Japan) ..................................23G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page2
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/8 (Hungary)
(B) Alistofinformation believed tobeconfidential bynature.
Webelieve information isconfidential ifitsdisclosure would cause intheopinion oftheparty
andtheinvestigating authority aswellasignificant adverse effect onthesupplier orthesource ofsuch
information. Akindofinformation isconfidential "bynature" ifitisrecognized assuchinallcases.
Probably information concerning theamount oftheex.works priceandtheelements ofitscalculation,
andtheamounts oftheallowances made when calculating theexport pricemayfallunder thiscategory.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/10 (New Zealand)
(B) Adescription ofinformation NewZealand believes isconfidential bynature
Information isconsidered tobeconfidential ifitsdisclosure would belikely:
- Tobeofsignificant competitive advantage toacompetitor, e.g.production costs,
distribution costs, business salesstatistics, research/invention data,technical designs
etc.
- Tohaveasignificant adverse effect upon theparty whosubmitted theinformation,
ortheparty fromwhom theinformation wasacquired bytheparty whosubmitted the
information, e.g.customer andsupplier lists.
- Tohaveasignificant adverse effect upon anyparty towhom theinformation relates,
e.g.statistical/market share information.
- Toprejudice thecommercial position ofaperson whosupplied orwhoisthesubject
oftheinformation, e.g.thenames oftheindividual companies requesting theinitiation
ofaninvestigation, whomaybesubject tocommercial retaliation bycustomers who
arealsoimporters.
- Toprejudice thesecurity ordefence ofNewZealand ortheinternational relations of
theGovernment ofNewZealand.
- Toprejudice theentrusting ofinformation totheGovernment ofNewZealand.
- Toprejudice thesupply ofsimilar information orinformation fromthesame source.
- Todisclose atrade secret.
- Toeffect themaintenance oflegalprivilege.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
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Document G/ADP/AHG/W/12 (Venezuela)
2. Listofinformation Members believe isconfidential bynature
Thequestion oftheconfidential treatment ofinformation provided inproceedings isdealtwith
inArticle 48oftheVenezuelan Anti-Dumping Law, which provides asfollows:
"The Commission andtheTechnical Secretariat shallnotdisclose anyinformation received
during thecourse ofananti-dumping orsubsidy investigation when theparty providing such
information requests thatitshould betreated asconfidential. Forthispurpose, theparty
concerned shallindicate thegrounds fortreating theinformation asconfidential andshallattach
anon-confidential summary oranexplanation ofthereasons whysuchasummary cannot be
made.
Arequest forconfidential treatment shallbedealtwithaccording towhether disclosure ofthe
information would beofsignificant advantage toacompetitor orwould haveanyother adverse
effect upon theperson providing theinformation orupon athirdparty."
Accesstotheinformationprovidedbyinterestedpartiesinananti-dumpingorsubsidyproceeding
isveryimportant inthatitensures transparency andobjectivity. Inthisconnection, access tothe
information inthefileensures thattheparties involved canfullyexercise theirrightofdefence, while
thepossibility oftreating certain information confidentially encourages interested parties tofurnish
information which could beofvitalimportance fortheproceeding butwhich would notbesupplied
ifitdidnotreceive confidential treatment. Hence, thequestion ofthepossibility ofdeclaring certain
information confidential ornotmust behandled verycarefully.
TheTechnical Secretariat oftheAnti-Dumping andSubsidies Commission isresponsible for
analysinganddecidingwhetherthecharacterornatureoftheinformationforwhichconfidentialtreatment
hasbeenrequested justifies suchtreatment. Thetreatment ofconfidential information bytheTechnical
Secretariat isnotamatter ofrigidcriteria prejudging thenature oftheinformation. Ineachparticular
case, aseries ofnecessary factors must beanalysed todetermine whether theinformation requires
suchtreatment. Inthecourse ofthevarious investigations conducted bytheCASS inwhich confidential
treatment oftheinformation provided hasbeenrequested, theTechnical Secretariat hasdeveloped some
analytical criteria fordetermining whether ineachparticular casetheinformation should betreated
asconfidential ornot.
1. Fulljustification must beprovided insupport oftherequest forconfidentiality,
regardless ofwhether theinformation isconfidential bynature orbecause therequesting
party provides itasconfidential. Forthispurpose, therequesting party mustexplain
thegrounds orreasons forwhich itconsiders thatdisclosure oftheinformation provided
would beofsignificant advantage toitscompetitors orhaveanadverse effect upon
theperson providing theinformation orupon athirdparty.
2. Inorder todetermine thesignificant advantages oradverse effects which disclosure
oftheinformation provided could haveforanenterprise orthirdparty, theTechnical
Secretariat must analyse: (i)thetypeofinformation supplied interms ofits
fundamental, secret orstrategic character within theenterprise; (ii)thelevel of
aggregation oftheinformation supplied; and(iii)thepossible consequences ofpublic
access totheinformation supplied.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
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These aspects arecarefully analysed bytheTechnical Secretariat when taking adecision on
confidential treatment, since information supplied asconfidential bynature doesnotnecessarily need
tobetreated assuchwithout firstbeing analysed indetail.
Inanyevent,inpracticethereexistsinformationwhich,dependingonitsnature,doesnotrequire
further justification inorder toconclude thatitshould betreated asconfidential. Anillustrative list
oftheinformation which theTechnical Secretariat hasconsidered confidential bynature according
tothevarious confidentiality decisions ithastaken includes: information onunitcosts ofaproduct,
details ofacompany 'spastorfuture investments, acompany 'scommercial strategies andexpansion
plans, percentages ofcomponents ofacompany 'sexclusive product, manufacturing formulas forthe
product concerned andmarket share percentages.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/14 (Turkey)
(B) Confidential information
Article 6.5oftheA-DAgreement states that:"Any information which isbynature confidential
(forexample, because itsdisclosure would beofsignificant competitive advantage toacompetitor or
because itsdisclosure would haveasignificantly adverse effect uponaperson supplying theinformation
orupon aperson from whom thatperson acquired theinformation) ...betreated assuchbythe
authorities". Inthisrespect, information relating tothefollowing issues canberegarded asconfidential:
- costofproduction;
- market share;
- evidence relating tonormal value andexport prices;
- capacity;
- investment.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/15 (Mexico)
I. INFORMATIONWHICHISCONSIDEREDBYNATURETOBECONFIDENTIALUNDER
MEXICAN LAW
TheForeign Trade Acttakesuptheconcept ofconfidential information asdefined inArticle 6.5
oftheAnti-Dumping Agreement andcarries itevenfurther byestablishing amuch broader classification
andintroducing asystem ofaccess tovarious levels ofthatclassification.1Thus, Articles 149,150,
1Inviewoftheproblem encountered byparticipants inananti-dumping investigation inwhich other
parties contribute information considered asconfidential towhich theformer havenoaccess forthe
purpose ofdefending theirinterests, Mexico, likeother countries applying thesystem, hascreated
amechanism bywhich certain persons (particularly thelegalrepresentatives oftheenterprises ortheir
economic advisors) mayhaveaccess tocertain confidential information. Thus, theclassification set
forth below contains aclear indication astowhether ornottheinformation maybemade available
totherepresentatives oftheenterprises.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page5
151and154oftheRegulations under theForeign Trade Actestablish thattheinformation below is
considered confidential bynature forthepurposes ofArticle 6.5oftheAnti-Dumping Agreement:
Article 149oftheRegulations under theForeign Trade Act:
(i) Production processes fortheproduct concerned (product under investigation);
(ii) production costs andspecification ofcomponents;
(iii) distribution costs;
(iv) terms andconditions ofsale,except those offered tothepublic;
(v) selling prices bytransaction andbyproduct, except components ofprices such
asdates ofsales anddistribution oftheproduct, andtransport ifbypublic
routes;
(vi) description ofthetypeofindividual customers, distributors orsuppliers;
(vii) ifapplicable, theexact amount ofthemargin ofprice discrimination in
individual sales;
(viii) theamounts ofadjustments forterms andconditions ofsale, volume or
quantities, variable costsandtaxcharges proposed bytheinterested party, and
(ix) anyotherspecific information about theenterprise concerned whose disclosure
ordissemination tothepublic maycause injury toitscompetitive position.
Thisinformation isavailable tothelegalrepresentatives oftheparticipating enterprises ortheir
advisors, provided theymeetcertain requirements.2
Ontheother hand, theinformation referred tobelow, owing toitsnature, canonlybemade
available totheinvestigating authority; inother words, noparty mayhaveaccess toit.
Article 150stipulates thatrestricted commercial information shallbedeemed tobeinformation
whose disclosure mayresult insubstantial andirreversible andfinancial damage orharm tothenet
worth oftheowner ofthatinformation andwhich mayinclude, among other things, secret formulas
orprocesses which haveacommercial value, arenotpatented andknown exclusively toasmall group
ofpeople whousethem intheproduction ofacommercial product.
Article 151,initsturn, states thatthename ofthenatural orlegal persons from whom the
interested party obtained relevant information shallbeknown onlytotheMinistry.
Andfinally, Article 154stipulates thatconfidential government information shall include
information contained ingovernment-to-government communications ofaconfidential nature (data,
statistics anddocuments concerning national security andstrategic activities forthescientific and
2Inorder togainaccess tothisinformation, theymustmeettherequirements setforthinArticle
159oftheRegulations under theForeign Trade Act,including theobligation toundertake andsubmit
thecommitment toconfidentiality under theterms laiddown bytheMinistry.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page6
technological development ofthecountry), aswellasinformation whose disclosure isprohibited by
lawsandotherpublic legislation, andbyinternational treaties oragreements towhich Mexico isaparty.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/17 (Korea)
(B) Alistofconfidential information bynature
1. Costofproduction.
2. Accounting materials which havenotbeenmade public.
3. Name, address andtrade volume ofthetrade partners.
4. Matters concerning theprovider ofconfidential information.
5. Materials deemed proper tobetreated confidentially.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/19 (Brazil)
2. Confidential information
Even though thecreation ofalistofinformation thatisconfidential bynature isstillbeing
discussed inBrazil, itisconsidered thatsuchlistmustbeasrestricted aspossible, andinclude only
information ofaparty that,ifdisclosed, canaffect conditions ofcompetition, suchascopies ofreceipts,
listofclients andprices practised byclients.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/21 (European Community)
Confidentiality: information which is"confidential bynature"
1. Background
AssetoutintheCommunity ’snoteonthesubject ofconfidentiality, ourapproach isbased
ontheprinciple ofensuring thatwhen information isclassified asconfidential, itisreproduced in
summarized, non-confidential form. Theuseofindexed figures, orpossibly ranges, isrecommended
forthispurpose. Nevertheless, requests forconfidential treatment should bejustified andreasonable.
Alistoftypes ofinformation considered "confidential bynature" should notimply removal ofthe
requirement tojustify confidential status, nortoprovide accurate non-confidential summaries. Rather
itshould serve asguidance toauthorities when assessing theclaims ofparties forconfidential treatment.
2. Illustrative listofconfidential information
AssetoutinArticle 6(5)oftheAgreement, thedisclosure ofinformation which isconfidential
bynature "would beofsignificant competitive advantage toacompetitor or...would haveasignificantly
adverse effect upon aperson supplying theinformation". Typically, thiscould include:
- Information oncosts, including those ofeachstage oftheproduction process;G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page7
- Information onprices, including boththeprices paidbytheproducer toupstream
suppliers, andtheprices charged todownstream buyers -thenames ofthesecustomers
mayalsobetreated asconfidential;
- Informationonperformance,includingprofitabilityofoperations,marginsonindividual
products, aswellasprospectives forinvestment andfuture strategy;
- Certaininformationsuppliedinthecontextofapublicinterestassessment(e.g.company
performance forecasts).
3. Information fromtheabove categories maynotalways beconfidential (forinstance, theprices
paidtoupstream suppliers maybeuniform andtransparent foragiven industry). Butsinceallofthese
types ofdatacould becommercially sensitive, revealing elements ofbusiness strategy, sources of
competitive advantage andsoon,requests forconfidential treatment inthese areas should begranted.
However, ifnon-confidential summaries ofthatinformation arenotprepared theinvestigating authorities
mayreject suchinformation.
4. Thissaid,there remains asubstantial amount ofinformation which should notnormally be
considered asconfidential. Forinstance, dataandanalysis provided bycomplainants aspartofthe
injury claim willoften beintheform ofnarrative assessment based onwidely available statistics;
company information such asannual reports andorganizational charts issimilarly public. Such
information should onlybegranted confidential treatment inexceptional circumstances.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/23 (Japan)
2. Treatment ofConfidential Information
Withregard tothetreatment ofconfidential information,when anyinformation provided comes
under bothofthefollowing cases, Japan willtreatitasconfidential information inpractice.
(1) Such information which isnotknown publicly andwhich isprotected bytheperson
whoprovided theinformation.
(2) Such information which fallswithin either ofthefollowing cases:
- Itisrecognized thatdisclosure ofanyinformation would certainly provide a
significant competitive advantage tocompetitors, orwould certainly havea
significant harmful effect upon thedirect supplier oftheinformation orthe
original supplier oftheinformation.
- When anyinformation isprovided asconfidential information byanyinterested
party, andtheauthority recognizes thatthere isenough reason fortreating it
asconfidential information.
(Reference)
Forexample thefollowing information isconsidered tobeconfidential.
- Costofmanufacturing
- Sales expenses
- Actual transaction pricesG/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page8
- Names ofcustomers orsuppliers
- Other business proprietary information
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/24 (Israel)
B. AListofInformation theAuthorities Believe tobeConfidential byNature
Section 8oftheTrade Levies Law-1991setsforththegeneral principle thatinformation will
beconsidered confidential ifitsdisclosure would cause injury tothesupplier oftheinformation or
toathirdparty.
Itshould benoted thatsinceinnumerous instances because ofthesmall scalesizeoftheIsraeli
economy, thecomplainant isthesolemanufacturer ofcertain products, therefore disclosure ofcertain
information would necessarily mean thedivulging ofsecret business information.
Needless tosaythatconfidentiality isdetermined onacasebycasebasis according tothe
particular circumstances involved.
Inpractice theauthorities usually consider thefollowing typeofinformation byitsnature,
confidential:
(i) Unpublished prices
(ii) Costs
(iii) Market shares ofindividual firms
(iv) Internal structure (No.ofemployees)
(v) Profit levels
(vi) Other similar information deemed torelate tobusiness secrets
Theauthoritiesrequirethatthepartiessupplyanon-confidentialversionofallmaterialsubmitted,
sothatthetextappears infullexcept intheplaceoftheconfidential information, appear empty brackets.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/25 (Thailand)
1. Treatment ofConfidential Information
Normally, information thatwillbetreated asconfidential intheinvestigation includes thecost
ofproduction, accounting information andbalance sheet, invoices, domestic selling prices andexport
price ofeachconsignment. However, information provided mustnotify theauthority regarding the
confidential status ofeachpiece ofinformation, according toRule9.1oftheMinisterial Notification.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/26 (United States)
INFORMATION CONSIDERED "CONFIDENTIAL"
Under theUSanti-dumping dutylaw,apetition alleging "dumping" must befiledwithtwo
separate agencies oftheUSGovernment onthesame day: theUSDepartment ofCommerce (the
Commerce Department ortheDepartment) andtheUSInternational Trade Commission (the
Commission).Eachagencypursuesitsown,separateinvestigation.TheDepartmentinvestigateswhether
saleshavebeenmade atlessthanfairvalue andcompares theprices ofidentical orsimilar merchandiseG/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page9
soldintheUSmarket withthatsoldinthecomparison market, while theCommission investigates
whether adomestic industry intheUnited States ismaterially injured, threatened withmaterial injury,
ortheestablishment ofanindustry ismaterially retarded byreason ofimports soldatlessthanfair
value. Each agency hasitsowndefinition of"confidential information". Adescription ofthetypes
ofinformation which eachagency considers tobe"confidential" isprovided below.
USDepartment ofCommerce
TheCommerce Department usestheterm "business proprietary information" todescribe
information thatis"confidential" within themeaning ofArticle 6.5oftheAgreement onImplementation
ofArticle VIoftheGeneral Agreement onTariffs andTrade 1994(Anti-Dumping Agreement). Such
information isnotreleased tothepublic but,instead, onlytorepresentatives ofparties totheproceedings
which maybegranted access tothemunder anadministrative protective order (APO). TheDepartment
doesnotutilize theterm "confidential" todescribe suchinformation but,instead, refers tosuch
information asbeing "business proprietary". Thereason forthisisthat,inUSsecurity classification
parlance, theterm"confidential" isusedtorefer toUSGovernment information thedissemination
ofwhich isrestricted inorder toprotect thenational security oftheUnited States.
Asofthisdate, theDepartment isinthelatter stages ofrevising itsregulations simplifying
itsprocedures protecting business proprietary information ("BPI"). Thenewregulations areexpected
tobeimplementedinthenearfuture.Undertheseregulations,theDepartmentrecognizesfourcategories
ofinformation relevant toananti-dumping proceeding: public, business proprietary, privileged (such
asattorney-client privileged), andclassified information (meaning information protected forpurposes
ofnational security). Ingeneral, public information isinformation which ismade available tothepublic,
whereas business proprietary information issubmitted byprivate parties totheproceedings andmay
bedisclosed (ifatall)onlytoauthorized applicants under avalid APO.5Unlike business proprietary
information, privileged andclassified information cannot bereleased evenunder anAPO.
Business Proprietary Information Releasable Under APO
TheDepartment generally considers thefollowing factual information tobebusiness proprietary
information, ifitissodesignated bythesubmitter: (1)business ortradesecrets concerning thenature
ofaproduct orproduction process; (2)production costs (butnottheidentity oftheproduction
components, e.g.,partsandequipment, unless aparticular component isatradesecret); (3)distribution
costs(butnotchannels ofdistribution); (4)terms ofsale(butnotterms ofsaleoffered tothepublic);
(5)prices ofindividual sales, likely sales, orotheroffers; (6)names ofparticular customers, distributors
orsuppliers6;(7)thedumping margin onindividual sales; (8)thenames ofparticular persons from
whombusinessproprietaryinformationwasobtained;(9)thepositionofadomesticproducerorworkers
regarding support forapetition; and(10)anyother specific business information which, ifreleased
tothepublic, would cause substantial harm tothecompetitive position ofthesubmitter.
Information NotReleasable Under APO
Incontrast toinformation thatmaybereleased under APO, there aresome categories of
informationwhichtheDepartmentconsidersprivileged(again,informationprotectedbytheattorney-client
5Thesubmitter oftheproprietary information mustalsofilearedacted or"public" version ofthe
same document withtheDepartment forpublic review.
6Butnotthedestination ofthesaleorthedesignation ofthetypeofcustomer, distributor, orsupplier,
unless thedestination ordesignation would reveal thename ofthecustomer.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page10
privilege orinformation submitted byaninformant) orclassified (relating tomilitary secrets) thatmay
notbedisclosed under anAPO. Moreover, insome extraordinary circumstances, business proprietary
information mayalsobewithheld from disclosure under APO based onadetermination bythe
Department thatthere isaclear andcompelling needtowithhold suchinformation.
USInternational Trade Commission
Like theCommerce Department, theCommission usestheterm "business proprietary
information" todescribe confidential orprotected information. TheCommission considers business
proprietary information, byregulation, tobethat"which concerns orrelates tothetrade secrets,
processes, operations, styleofworks, orapparatus, ortotheproduction, sales, shipments, purchases,
transfers, identification ofcustomers, inventories, oramount orsource ofanyincome, profits, losses,
orexpendituresofanyperson,firm,partnership,corporation,orotherorganization,orotherinformation
ofcommercial value, thedisclosure ofwhich islikely tohave theeffect ofeither impairing the
Commission 'sability toobtain suchinformation asisnecessary toperform itsstatutory functions, or
causing substantial harm tothecompetitive position oftheperson, firm, partnership, corporation, or
other organization fromwhich theinformation wasobtained".7TheCommission willrelease business
proprietaryinformationtospecifiedrepresentativesofinterestedpartieswhoarepartiestotheproceeding
andhaveapplied forandreceived access tosuchinformation under anAPO issued bytheagency.
TheCommission willagree torelease suchinformation under protective order, unless theinformation
isprivileged, classified, orspecific information ofatypethatmustbewithheld fromdisclosure based
onaclear andcompelling need.8
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/29 (Australia)
INFORMATION WHICH ISCONFIDENTIAL BYNATURE
Introduction
Article 6.5oftheWTO Anti-Dumping Agreement provides thatanyinformation which isby
nature confidential, orwhich isprovided onaconfidential basis, upon good cause shown, betreated
assuchbytheauthorities.
Australian Legislation
Sections 269ZI and269ZJ oftheCustoms Act1901 (seepages 82-86 ofG/ADP/N/1/AUS/1)
setouttherequirements fortheprovision ofinformation toaninvestigation which isclaimed tobe
confidential orinformation whose publication would adversely affect aperson ’sbusiness orcommercial
interests. Interested parties arerequired toprovide anon-confidential summary which contains sufficient
detail topermit areasonable understanding ofthesubstance oftheinformation submitted inconfidence.
Section 269ZJ(5) oftheCustoms Actprovides thatwhere theauthorities disagree withaperson ’s
claim thatinformation isconfidential orwhose publication would adversely affect aperson ’sbusiness
orcommercial interests, anddespite theauthorities opinion, theperson making theclaim willnotprepare
anon-confidential summary forinclusion inthepublic record, theauthorities maydisregard that
information.
7See19C.F.R. 201.6(a)
8See19C.F.R. 207.7(g)(1)G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page11
Australian legislation doesnotprovide adefinition ofinformation thatcanbeconsidered to
beconfidential orinformation whose publication would adversely affect aperson ’sbusiness or
commercial interests.
Australia doesnotprovide fordisclosure pursuant toaprotective order.
Information thatisConfidential byNature
Inorder fortheauthorities totreatinformation asconfidential byitsnature, itmustbe"secret"
i.e.thefactsorknowledge mustnotbeinthepublic domain. Thisisshown where theinformation
ordocuments arenotpartofpublic knowledge orarenotaccessible tothepublic. Documents or
information withthisstatus musthavesome particular "value" which setsthemapart fromcommonly
available material. Thelatter cannotberendered confidential bythemere presence ofastamp of
"secret" or"confidential".
Itisaccepted thatanyinformation which would giveacommercial advantage toacompeting
party, orthedisclosure orpublication ofwhich would cause anadverse affect tothecompetitive position
oftheperson, willbeconsidered confidential bynature. Suchinformation generally relates to"trade
secrets"includingmaterialscompositionproductionprocessesandequipmentspecifications.Information
alsoconsidered "confidential" willgenerally include commercial information suchascosts, sales,
purchases, client identification, inventories, profit, losses andexpenditure.
Other Information
Itshould benoted thatthere isasecond category ofinformation, which, although notofitself
confidential bynature, nevertheless isprovided totheinvestigating authorities ontheunderstanding
thatitwillbetreated as"confidential". Information inthissecond category isclaimed as"confidential"
byadesire toprotect theinterests ofthesource oftheinformation. Although thistypeofinformation
isnotcommonly submitted toaninvestigation, thiscircumstance generally arises inrelation to
information within theexporter 'sdomestic market, buthasincluded information onmaterial injury
claims. Where theinvestigating authorities aresatisfied thatdisclosure ofinformation maybeharmful
tothesource ofthatinformation, itwillbetreated as"confidential".
ListofInformation Treated asConfidential byNature
Typically, thefollowing non-exhaustive listofinformation isgathered inthecourse ofan
investigation andistreated asconfidential byitsnature.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
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COMMON ELEMENTS
1.Company Background
Information concerning public companies (e.g. "Proprietary Limited" or"Limited" companies) and
other companies incorporated under Corporations Lawisreadily available viaGovernment agencies.
However, there isnorequirement forpublication ofinformation relating toprivate companies (e.g. sole
traders, family companies andtrusts) thusthisinformation maybeconsidered confidential bynature.
Thisbackground information includes:
- ownership
- organizational structure andfunctions ofdivisions
- audited profit andlossaccounts
- administrative, selling &general costs
- non-operating income andexpenses
- totalsales revenue perannum
Company andmarket information (forallcompanies) which would normally beconsidered
confidential bynature includes:
- accounting structure e.g.profit centres orcentral accounting
- charts ofaccount andledgers
- commercial relationships withsuppliers
- agreements/contracts withsuppliers
- levels ofsales (e.g. distributor, retail)
- methods ofsale(e.g. bulk, containers)
- projections andmarketing strategies
- factors affecting sales andcompetition
- market share ofcompany
- major competitors
- market price leaders/discounting practices
- major customers
- selling anddistribution arrangements
2.Sales ontheDomestic Market
- sales history
- inventories
- sales volumes
- netsales revenue
- purchase orders
- confirmation orders
- price lists
- sales invoices
- sales costs
packaging
inland freight
handling charges
insurance
- agreements/contracts withcustomers
- forward orders
- payment documentation e.g.T/Ts, Letters ofCredit, Bills ofExchange
- bank statements
- payment terms
- sales taxpayable
- sales incentivesG/ADP/AHG/W/44
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COMPLAINANT
1.Company Background -asabove
2.Sales ontheDomestic Market -asabove
3.Manufacturing
- technical specification sheets
- materials content data
- production processes information
- production equipment specifications
- production capacity
- production standards andvariances
- production volumes
- no.production staff
- costs ofproduction
factory overheads
labour costs
rawmaterials cost
research anddevelopment costs
royalties/licence fees
finance costs
- changes instocks
EXPORTER
1.Company Background -asabove
2.Sales ontheDomestic Market -asabove
3.Manufacturing -asabove
4.Exports
- volume andvalue oftrade percountry andimporter
- level oftrade
- models/types ofgoods exported
- purchase orders
- confirmation orders
- contracts
- price lists
- invoices
- packing
- BillsofLading orAirWaybills
- place ofexport
- level ofsales e.g.f.o.b., c.i.f.
- terms ofsales e.g.sight, 60daysfrom BillofLading
- forward orders
- sales costs
packaging/packing
inland freight
container handling charges, portcharges
customs charges
drawback
overseas freight
insurance
- payment documentation e.g.T/Ts, Letters ofCredit, BillsofExchange
- anyrebates/discounts notshown oninvoice
- anyfinancial assistance, advertising materials, warranty etc.supplied toimporters
- currency andconversion rateG/ADP/AHG/W/44
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IMPORTER
1.Company Background -asabove
2.Sales ontheDomestic Market -asabove
3.Imports
-import volumes
-price lists
-forward orders
-purchase orders
-confirmation orders
-salesinvoices
-customs entries
-packing lists
-AirWaybills/ BillsofLading
-levelofsalese.g.f.o.b., c.i.f.,
-terms ofsalese.g.sight, 60daysfrom BillofLading
-payment documentation e.g.T/Ts, Letters ofCredit, BillsofExchange
-finance costs
-forward exchange contracts
-import costs
freight charges
insurance
container handling charges, portcharges
customs duty/sales tax
customs brokers fees
inland freight
warehousing
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/31 (Canada)
B. LIST OFINFORMATION BELIEVED TOBECONFIDENTIAL
There isnoexact definition astowhatconstitutes confidential information. InArticle 6.5of
theAnti-Dumping Agreement. However, Article 6.5does provide general guidance insofar as
information maybeconsidered confidential because:
itsdisclosure would beofsignificant competitive advantage toacompetitor orbecause its
disclosure would haveasignificantly adverse effect upon aperson supplying theinformation
orupon aperson fromwhom thatperson acquired theinformation.
Product-specific information thatcould havesucheffect includes:
- costing data;
- domestic andexport salesinvoices;
- technical information andproduction processes;
- non-published price lists;
- non-public financial statements, etc.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page15
While parties maydesignate information asconfidential, suchadesignation mustbewarranted
given thenature oftheinformation andthepurpose forwhich itisbeing submitted. Information that
isalready inthepublic domain doesnotwarrant confidential treatment. Ineffect, thedetermination
ofwhether ornotspecific information isconfidential ismade onacase-by-case basis.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/34 (Colombia)
(b) Listofinformation considered confidential bynature
Statements ofproduction costsandincome statements byproduction linefortheproduct investigated
Article 41ofLaw222/95 refers tothedissemination offinancial statements inthefollowing
terms: "Within amonth following thedateoftheirapproval, copies ofthegeneral financial statements,
together withcomments andthecorresponding recommendation, ifappropriate, shallbedeposited with
theChamber ofCommerce intheplace oftheregistered office. TheChamber shallsendcopies of
these documents topersons requesting them, whopaythecosts incurred."
Hence thefinancial statements which must legally bedisseminated andcanbeconsulted in
accordance withArticle 41(Law 222/95) aregeneral financial statements andnotother statements.
Likestatements ofoutput byproduction line,statements ofproduction andselling costs, (both
fortheenterprise andtheproduction line)andthefinancial statements covering intermediate periods
(both fortheenterprise andtheline)arenotgeneral financial statements: theyarenotpublic bynature
unless theapplicant expressly sodecides.
Lists ofcustomers andcommercial invoices
Inaccordance withaccounting practices, these areassimilated toauxiliary books under the
provisions ofArticle 125,paragraph 4(a)ofD.R. 2649/93, pursuant toArticle 49oftheCode of
Commerce.
Article 61oftheCode ofCommerce specifically states that"Traders 'books andpapers may
notbeexamined bypersons other thantheirowners orpersons authorized todoso,unless itisfor
thepurposes indicated intheConstitution andpursuant toanorder bythecompetent authority." In
accordance withthisArticle, anauxiliary book isnotdeemed tobeofapublic nature.
Input-output table
Theinput-output tableisnotasupporting accounts document inaccordance withArticle 123
ofD.R. 2649/93.
Ananalysis oftheinformation contained inthetableshows thatitcorresponds toconsumption
ofrawmaterials, andthisinformation shown inColombian currency constitutes anelement ofthe
production cost-rawmaterials -inthestatement ofproduction costs. Asmentioned above, disclosure
ofthestatement ofproduction costsisnotcompulsory andbyextension thisalsoapplies toitsconstituent
elements.
Theinformation contained intheinput-output tabletherefore cannot beconsidered asbeing public
bynature.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page16
Industrial secrets andknow-how
Inaccordance withArticle 72ofDecision 344of1993 oftheCommission oftheCartagena
Agreement andArticle 75.3oftheCode ofCommerce.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/35 (Turkey)
Topic 1-Treatment ofConfidential Information
Asalready stated inourprevious paper (G/ADP/AHG/W/14),
"theinformation on
- costofproduction,
- market share,
- evidence relating tonormal value andexport prices,
- capacity,
- investment
istreated asconfidential."
Inaddition totheabove, thefollowing typeofinformation isconsidered asconfidential byits
nature:
- product specification,
- technological process,
- customer names,
- price ofindividual sales,
- salescost,
- profit levels,
- other similar information deemed tobebusiness secrets.
Turkey does nothave asystem ofdisclosing confidential information inanti-dumping
investigations.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/38 (Venezuela)
Topic 1*-Article 6.5:Treatment ofConfidential Information
Thepossibility forinterested parties inananti-dumping procedure tofullyexercise theirright
ofdefence depends toagreater orlesser degree ontheiraccess totheinformation submitted bythe
opposingpartiesorobtainedbythecompetentauthority.Atthesametime,theAnti-DumpingAgreement
allows thatcertain information tobedeclared confidential, thuslimiting access thereto. Consequently,
weconsider thatconfidentiality should beunderstood asanexception totheruleofaccess toinformation,
andassuchshould beclearly defined inorder toensure thattherighttoconfidentiality isnotused
asameans ofblocking access toinformation, thereby impeding thefullexercise oftherightofdefence
bytheinterested party inquestion.
Although ontheonehand, anillustrative list(ofinformation thatisconfidential bynature) could
clarify matters forthecompetent authorities when issuing theirrulings, itcould alsogiverisetodifferent
interpretations andlimitations withrespect tothescope ofconfidentiality.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page17
Forexample, whatgrounds andjustification would berequired inorder todeclare confidential
agiven itemofinformation covered bytheillustrative list?Does themere factthattheinformation
forwhich confidentiality hasbeenrequested iscovered bytheillustrative listmean thatitwarrants
confidential treatment? What would happen ifinspite ofthefactthatinformation forwhich
confidentiality issought iscovered bytheillustrative list,thelevelofaggregation ofthedatacontained
therein issuchastoprevent thedisclosure ofconfidential information?
Inreaching itsmostrecent decisions onconfidentiality, thecompetent authority ofVenezuela
hasapplied more general criteria, avoiding thelimitations thatmight beassociated withanillustrative
listorwithpastpractice indeclaring information confidential bynature. Ithasconsidered confidential
bynature information whose disclosure could reveal elements ofacompany 'stradestrategy orconstitute
asource ofcompetitive advantage, orexpose tradeorbusiness secrets oftheindustry inquestion, and
information supplied bythirdparties ifthelevelofdisaggregation ofsuchinformation disclosed reveals
ormakes itpossible toinferfundamental dataorsecrets ortheidentity oftheperson supplying the
information, according tothecase.
System ofdisclosing confidential information
Venezuela doesnothaveasystem ofdisclosing information declared confidential tocounsel
orrepresentatives oftheinterested parties. Once theinformation isdeclared confidential, itisplaced
inaseparate filetowhich onlytheofficials ofthecompetent authority haveaccess.
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/39 (Colombia)
Topic I
1. Article 6.5
What isconfidential information?
1.1 Legal provisions
1.1.1. WTO
Articles 6.5,6.5.1 and6.5.2 oftheWTO Agreement onImplementation ofArticle VIofthe
General Agreement onTariffs andTrade 1994.
1.1.2 Colombian legislation
The legislation specifically relating toanti-dumping investigations isDecree 299of
10February 1995, Article 43ofwhich relates toconfidentiality:
ARTICLE 43.-CONFIDENTIALITY OFDOCUMENTS. When initiating theinvestigation,
INCOMEX shallopenaseparate file,inwhich shallbeplaced thedocuments which theauthorities,
thecomplainant ortheinterested parties provide onaconfidential basis. Suchdocuments shallbetreated
asconfidential inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthePolitical Constitution andmaybeinspected
onlybytheauthorities.
Persons whoprovide confidential documents shall supply non-confidential summaries. If
INCOMEX considers thatthedocuments designated asconfidential arenotconfidential bynature, it
shall request thepersons providing them toinform INCOMEX inwriting thattheywaive such
confidentiality ortostatethereasons whytheyareunwilling todoso.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page18
Theconfidential nature ofadocument cannot beadduced asgrounds forrefusing toprovide
ittotheauthorities requesting itintheproper exercise oftheirfunctions. Theauthorities areresponsible
forensuring theconfidentiality ofsuchdocuments astheyreceive inthecourse oftheproceedings
mentioned inthisDecree.
Paragraph: When, pursuant tothisArticle, documents aredesignated asconfidential andnon-
confidential summaries arenotsupplied, orconfidentiality isnotwaived when INCOMEX sorequests,
orthereasons forrefraining fromsodoing arenotstated, orwhen thereasons arenotdulyjustified,
thedocumentation designated asconfidential maybedisregarded intheinvestigation.
Inaddition, Law170of15December 1994 approves theAgreement Establishing theWorld
Trade Organization, including thecomplete textoftheAgreement onImplementation ofArticle VI
oftheGeneral Agreement onTariffs onTrade 1994.
1.2 Colombian practice
Listofinformation considered confidential bynature.
1.2.1 Statements ofproduction costs andincome statements byproduction linefortheproduct
investigated
Article 41ofLaw222-95 amending Book IIoftheCommercial Code, establishing anewtender
system andmaking other provisions, inthepartrelating tothedissemination offinancial statements,
provides that: "within themonth following thedateoftheirapproval, copies ofthegeneral financial
statements, together withcomments andthecorresponding recommendation, where appropriate, shall
bedeposited withtheChamber ofCommerce intheplace oftheregistered office. TheChamber shall
sendcopies ofthese documents topersons requesting them, whopaythecosts incurred."
Hence thefinancial statements which must legally bedisseminated andcanbeconsulted in
accordance withArticle 41(Law 222-95) aregeneral financial statements andnotother statements.
Likestatements ofoutput byproduction line,statements ofproduction andselling costs (both
fortheenterprise andtheproduction line)andfinancial statements covering intermediate periods (both
fortheenterprise andtheline)arenotgeneral financial statements, andinaccordance withtheprovisions
oftheLawarenotpublic, sothatiftheapplicant requests thatthestatements beconsidered confidential,
theyshould betreated assuch.
1.2.2 Lists ofcustomers andcommercial invoices
Inaccordance withaccounting practices, these areassimilated toauxiliary books under the
provisions ofArticle 125,paragraph 4(a)ofRegulatory Decree 2649/93, pursuant toArticle 49of
theCommercial Code.
Article 61oftheCommercial Code specifically states that"traders 'books andpapers maynot
beexamined bypersons other thantheirowners orpersons authorized todoso,unless itbeforthe
purposes indicated intheConstitution andpursuant toanorder bythecompetent authority." In
accordance withthisArticle, anauxiliary book isnotdeemed tobeofapublic nature. Therefore,
iftheapplicant requests thatitbeconsidered confidential, itshould betreated assuch.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page19
1.2.3 Input-output table
Theinput-output tableisnotasupporting accounts document inaccordance withArticle 123
ofRegulatory Decree 2649/93.
Ananalysis oftheinformation contained inthetableshows thatitcorresponds toconsumption
ofrawmaterials, andthisinformation shown inColombian currency constitutes anelement ofthe
production cost-rawmaterials -inthestatement ofproduction costs. Asmentioned above, disclosure
ofthestatement ofproduction costsisnotcompulsory andbyextension thisalsoapplies toitsconstituent
parts.
Therefore, INCOMEX considers thattheinformation contained intheinput-output tableisnot
public bynature, butiftheapplicant requests thatthetablebekeptconfidential, itshould betreated
assuch.
1.2.4 Industrial secrets andknow-how
Thisisconfidential information inaccordance withArticle 72ofDecision 344(1993) ofthe
Commission oftheCartagena Agreement andArticle 75.3oftheCommercial Code.
2. Isthere anysystem forallowing access toconfidential information? Ifso,howdoesthat
system operate?
2.1 Legal provisions
2.1.1 WTO
Articles 6.5,6.5.1 and6.5.2 oftheWTO Agreement onImplementation ofArticle VIofthe
General Agreement onTariffs andTrade 1994.
2.1.2 Colombian legislation
Theabove-mentioned Article 43ofDecree 299of10February 1995andArticle 44ofthesame
Decree which states: "ACCESS TOTHE RECORD. Any person may have access tothe
non-confidential documents referred tointhisDecree andmayrequest theissue ofphotocopies, as
provided forintheAdministrative Litigation Code."
Inaddition, Law170of15December 1994 approves theAgreement Establishing theWorld
Trade Organization, including thecomplete textoftheAgreement onImplementation ofArticle VI
oftheGeneral Agreement onTariffs andTrade 1994.
2.2 Colombian practice
TheColombian legislation hasnoprovision forasystem forallowing access toinformation
designated confidential. However, access isallowed tothenon-confidential summary furnished by
theapplicant, which describes themain features oftheconfidential information ingeneral terms.
Moreover,thetechnicalstudiescarriedoutbyINCOMEXrepresentthebehaviourofthevariables
subject toanalysis interms ofpercentage variations, which enables appropriate conclusions tobedrawn.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page20
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/40 (Argentina)
B. Confidential Information
During investigations ofinjury todomestic industry conducted before theCNCE inconnection
withapplications fortheintroduction ofanti-dumping andcountervailing duties andsafeguard measures,
anyparty submitting information whose disclosure theyconsider could beharmful orcould provide
acompetitor withasignificant advantage mayrequest confidential treatment.
B.1 Legal framework
Thelawsgoverning confidential treatment attheinternational andnational levels are:
- Agreement onImplementation ofArticle VIoftheGeneral Agreement onTariffs and
Trade 1994;
Articles 6.5,6.5.1 and6.5.2;
- Agreement onSubsidies andCountervailing Measures
Articles 12.4, 12.4.1 and12.4.2;
- Agreement onSafeguards
Articles 3.2
- Decree 2121/94
Articles 45and46
- Decree 1059/96
Articles 3,4,5and6
B.2 Requirements
Under theprovisions inforce, theapplication forconfidential treatment must include:
(a) Clear identification oftheinformation forwhich confidentiality isrequested byindicating
"CONFIDENTIAL" intheupper right-hand corner ofeachpage;
(b) justification oftheneedforsuchtreatment;
(c) non-confidential summary permitting areasonable understanding ofthecontent ofthe
information supplied asconfidential, forinclusion inthefile.
Iftheinformation forwhich confidentiality hasbeenrequested cannot besummarized, thelaw
requires thattheapplicant should soindicate, explaining thereasons whythiscannot bedone.
B.3 Procedure
TheCNCE hasfiveworking days from thedayfollowing thereceipt oftherequest for
confidentiality todecide whether ornottogrant suchtreatment, forwhich purpose itmustdetermine
whether thementioned requirements havebeenmet. Until confidential treatment hasbeengranted,G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page21
theinformation inquestion isremoved fromthefileandkeptinasealed envelope towhich onlythe
technical personnel assigned totheinvestigation haveaccess.
Shouldconfidentialtreatmentnotbegranted,thepartythatsuppliedtheinformationmaywithdraw
itatanytime, inwhich casethesaidinformation cannot betaken intoaccount intheinvestigation.
If,ontheother hand, theapplicant withdraws therequest, theinformation maybeincluded inthefile.
Requests forconfidentiality aremade upon submission oftheinformation.
B.4 Confidential information inthetechnical reports anddeterminations oftheCNCE
Argentine legislation doesnotprovide forasystem ofaccess toconfidential information for
thelegalcounsel oftheparties. Suchinformation isavailable onlytothepartybywhich itwasfurnished
andtotheimplementing authority.
Thisiswhythenon-confidential summaries mustprovide asufficiently cleardescription ofthe
documentation which isinaccessible forreasons ofconfidentiality.
These non-confidential summaries areincluded inthefile.Thus, infilesinwhich confidential
information hasbeensupplied andused, therearetwoversions ofthetechnical report andoftheofficial
records containing thedeterminations: onethatisconfidential andisnotincluded inthefile,circulated
onlywithin theCNCE, andtheother thatisincluded inthepublic file,inwhich theconfidential
information isreplaced byasterisks.
B.5 Confidential information andhearings
TheCNCEisresponsible,inaccordancewithalloftheconfidentialityprovisions,forsafeguarding
confidentialinformationduringthehearingsconductedunderitsauspices.Article13ofResolution02/96
stipulates that: "The hearings, whatever theirnature, shallbeconducted instrict compliance withthe
rulesconcerning confidential information contained inthefileoftheinvestigation concerned. Thus,
theCNCE mayonlyconsult summaries oftheconfidential information provided bytheparties".
B.6 Information forwhich theCNCE generally grants confidential treatment ifsuchtreatment is
requested bytheparties
- Coststructure;
- listofcustomers;
- discounts andconditions ofpayment;
- determination oftheprice atthepoint ofsale;
- stocks;
- monthly sales;
- production processes.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page22
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/41 (United States)
Topic 1,Article 6.5-"Treatment ofConfidential Information"
TheUnited States haspreviously submitted twopapers onthistopic: G/ADP/AHG/W/3
(21March 1997) andG/ADP/AHG/W/ 26(13October 1997). Following discussions heldatthelast
meeting oftheAdHocGroup inOctober 1997, itwasdecided thattheSecretariat would compile a
listoftypes ofinformation Members haveidentified asbeing "confidential bynature" inresponse to
therequest forinformation inWTO/AIR/643. TheUnited States submits thefollowing regarding what
itconsiders tobe"confidential bynature".
Asdescribed initsearlier submissions, under theUSanti-dumping dutylaw,apetition alleging
"dumping" mustbefiledonthesame daywithboththeUSDepartment ofCommerce (theCommerce
Department ortheDepartment) andtheUSInternational Trade Commission (theCommission). The
Commerce Department determines dumping while theCommission determines whether adomestic
industry intheUnited States ismaterially injured, threatened withmaterial injury, ortheestablishment
ofanindustry ismaterially retarded byreason ofimports soldatlessthanfairvalue. Each agency
hasitsowndefinition of"confidential information". Adescription ofthetypes ofinformation which
eachagency considers tobe"confidential" isprovided below.
USDepartment ofCommerce
TheCommerce Department usestheterm "business proprietary information" todescribe
information thatis"confidential" within themeaning ofArticle 6.5oftheAgreement onImplementation
ofArticle VIoftheGeneral Agreement onTariffs andTrade 1994(Anti-Dumping Agreement). Under
itsregulations, theDepartment recognizes fourcategories ofinformation which canberelevant inan
anti-dumping proceeding: public, business proprietary, privileged (such asinternal agency documents
covered bytheattorney-client privilege), andclassified information (meaning information protected
forpurposes ofnational security).1Ingeneral, public information isinformation which ismade available
tothepublic,whereasbusinessproprietaryinformationissubmittedbyprivatepartiestoananti-dumping
proceeding andmaybedisclosed (ifatall)onlytoauthorized applicants under avalid administrative
protective order (APO).2Unlike business proprietary information, privileged andclassified information
cannot bereleased evenunder anAPO.
Business Proprietary Information Releasable Under APO
TheDepartment generally considers thefollowing factual information tobebusiness proprietary
information, ifitissodesignated bythesubmitter: (1)business ortradesecrets concerning thenature
ofaproduct orproduction process; (2)production costs (butnottheidentity oftheproduction
components, e.g.partsandequipment, unless aparticular component isatradesecret); (3)distribution
costs (butnotchannels ofdistribution); (4)terms ofsale(butnotterms ofsaleoffered tothepublic);
(5)prices ofindividual sales, likely sales, orotheroffers; (6)names ofparticular customers, distributors
1See19C.F.R.351.105.
2Thesubmitter oftheproprietary information mustalsofilearedacted or"public" version ofthe
same document withtheDepartment.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page23
orsuppliers3;(7)thedumping margin onindividual sales; (8)thenames ofparticular persons from
whombusinessproprietaryinformationwasobtained;(9)thepositionofadomesticproducerorworkers
regarding support forapetition; and(10)anyother specific business information which, ifreleased
tothepublic, would cause substantial harm tothecompetitive position ofthesubmitter.4
USInternational Trade Commission
LiketheCommerceDepartment,theCommissionusestheterm"businessproprietaryinformation"
todescribe confidential orprotected information. TheCommission considers business proprietary
information, byregulation, tobethat"which concerns orrelates tothetrade secrets, processes,
operations, styleofworks, orapparatus, ortotheproduction, sales, shipments, purchases, transfers,
identification ofcustomers, inventories, oramount orsource ofanyincome, profits, losses, or
expenditures ofanyperson, firm, partnership, corporation, orother organization, orother information
ofcommercial value, thedisclosure ofwhich islikely tohave theeffect ofeither impairing the
Commission 'sability toobtain suchinformation asisnecessary toperform itsstatutory functions, or
causing substantial harm tothecompetitive position oftheperson, firm, partnership, corporation, or
other organization fromwhich theinformation wasobtained".5TheCommission willrelease business
proprietaryinformationtospecifiedrepresentativesofinterestedpartieswhoarepartiestotheproceeding
andhaveapplied forandreceived access tosuchinformation under anAPO issued bytheagency.
TheCommission willagree torelease suchinformation under protective order, unless theinformation
isprivileged, classified, orspecific information ofatypethatmustbewithheld fromdisclosure based
onaclear andcompelling need.6
Document G/ADP/AHG/W/42 (Japan)
1. Treatment ofConfidential Information1(Topic 1,Article 6.5)
Japanese lawprotects information which is,Japan believes, bynature confidential, asexplained
intheGovernment ofJapan'ssubmission toAdhocgroup oftotheCommittee of30September 1997.2
Illustrative examples ofconfidential information setforth inJapan'spaper include thefollowing:
- Costofmanufacturing
- Sales expenses
- Actual transaction prices
- Names ofcustomers orsuppliers
3Butnotthedestination ofthesaleorthedesignation ofthetypeofcustomer, distributor, orsupplier,
unless thedestination ordesignation would reveal thename ofthecustomer.
4See19C.F.R. 351.105(c).
5See19C.F.R. 201.6(a)(1)
6See19C.F.R. 207.7(g)(2)
1Seedocument G/ADP/W/401 fordescriptions ofthenumbered topics anddocument WTO/AIR/750 foradescription
ofsupplemental topics.
2Seedocument G/ADP/AHG/W/23.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page24
- Other business proprietary information
Theinformation ontheitems listed below should alsobetreated asconfidential because its
disclosure would likely result insignificant competitive advantage toacompetitor, orbecause its
disclosure would haveasignificantly adverse effect onthecompany towhich theinformation relates
orontheperson supplying theinformation.
- Production capacity andoperating ratio
- Volume ofproduction andsalesforeachcompany
- Non-public financial statements
From thepractical point ofviews, inJapan, itisonlytheprecise numbers andspecific names
oftraders, andnotgeneral descriptions ofthecategories ofinformation listed above orother categories
ofinformation, thatwarrant confidential treatment. Confidential treatment should beaccorded only
totheinformation thathasbeentreated asconfidential bythose whoproviding theinformation, and
thatisnotpublicly available. Ontheother hand, eventhough confidential treatment iswarranted it
isnecessary toprovide non-confidential information suchasindex sothattheinterested parties can
understand thereasons fordeterminations made inaninvestigation.
Regarding thedisclosure ofconfidential information inanti-dumping investigations, Japanese
lawdoesnotpermit thedisclosure ofconfidential information toaninterested partyoritsrepresentatives.
AlthoughcertainMembersmaybepermittedtodisclosetheconfidentialinformationtotherepresentatives
ofinterested parties pursuant toprotective orders, thereisnosystem ofprotective orders, oranyother
basis under Japanese lawforthedisclosure ofconfidential information tointerested parties ortheir
representatives.
Inourview,non-disclosureofconfidentialinformationtointerestedpartiesortheirrepresentatives
doesneither deprive them oftheability toparticipate inameaningful manner inaninvestigation nor
result inthedenial ofcritical information todefend their interests. Interested parties andtheir
representatives haveaccess tonon-confidential information, summaries ofconfidential information,
andessential factsunderlying finaldeterminations. Inthisconnection, wecarefully examine therequests
forconfidential treatment, forexample, ifwereceive theextravagant requests andfindtheyarenot
warranted, therequests shallberejected. Inourview, investigating authorities should indicate the
basic methodologies usedinaninvestigation andtheresults forinterested parties tounderstand, but
itisnotnecessary todisclose every detail ofconcrete figures ofcalculation.
Japaneselawprovidesthatapersonsubmittingtheinformationthatisdeterminedtobeconfidential
shallfurnish anon-confidential summary ofsuchinformation inwriting. Ifconfidential information
cannot besummarized, adocument stating whyitcannot besummarized shallbesubmitted tothe
Minister ofFinance.
Theconfidential information maybedisregarded iftheperson failstofurnish anon-confidential
summary ortosubmit adocument explaining thereasons whytheconfidential information cannot be
summarized, orifthose documents doesnotsufficiently explain thereasons.
Ifarequest forconfidentiality isnotwarranted, theperson submitting theinformation shallbe
promptly informed ofwhysuchtreatment wasdetermined tobeunwarranted. Theinformation may
notbeexamined unless therequest forconfidentiality oftheinformation iswithdrawn oranappropriate
summary oftheinformation issubmitted inwriting.G/ADP/AHG/W/44
Page25
Iftheinformation thathasbeensubmitted isdisregarded foranyofthereasons setforthabove,
theperson whosubmitted theinformation shallbeinformed inwriting ofwhytheinformation was
disregarded.
Ifaninvestigation isinitiated, interested parties shall, uponrequest inwriting, beprovided the
opportunity toexamine theinformation thathasbeen submitted except theinformation which is
confidential,theinformationsubmittedbyinterestedpartiesconfidentialityisclaimed,andthedocuments
recording theinformation orally presented asconfidential byinterested parties. [Cf.theCabinet Order
Relating toAnti-Dumping Duty (hereinafter referred toas"theCabinet Order"), Articles 7.6-7.10
and11.]
__________