   
  
G/SG/N/6/ZAF/7/Suppl.1  
 
3 April 2023 
(23-2328) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Safeguards  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION ON INITIATION OF  INVESTIGATION  
REGARDING  THE EXTENSION  OF 
A SAFEGUARD MEASURE  
SOUTH AFRICA 
Threaded fasteners of iron or steel  
Supplement  
The following communication, dated 27 March 2023 and received on 31 March 2023 , is being 
circulated at the re quest of the delegation of South Africa . 
 
_______________  
 
 
1  NOTIFICATION  
The Government of South Africa hereby gives notification on initiation of an investigation into the 
extension of safeguard measure against imports of threade d fasteners of iron or steel.  
2  SUBJECT PRODUCT  
The subject product is described as threaded fasteners of iron or steel, consisting of bolts ends and 
screw studs, screw studding and other hexagon nuts (excluding those of stainless steel and those 
identifiable for aircraft), classifiable in subheadings 7318.15.41; 7318.15.42; and 7318.16.30.  
3  INITIATION DATE  
The extension investigation was initiated on 24 March 2023. The notice of initiation by the 
International Trade Administration Commission of Sou th Africa (the Investigating Authority) was 
published through Notice No. 1695 of 2023 in Government Gazette  No. 48294.  
The investigation was initiated after the International Trade Administration Commission of 
South  Africa (the Investigating Authority) fou nd that the South African Fasteners Manufacturers ' 
Association (the Applicant) has  submitted prima facie  information to indicate that the expiry of the 
current safeguard measure will likely lead to recurrence of serious injury and that there is evidence 
that the Southern African Customs Union (SACU ) industry is adjusting.  
4  RECURRENCE OF SERIOUS INJURY  
The period of investigation for data evaluation for the purposes of determining the allegation of 
serious injury is 01 August 2020 to 31 July 2023, plus estima tes from 01  August  2023 to 
31 July 2024 should the safeguard measure expire.  
The injury analysis relates to information submitted by the Applicant on behalf of its members: 
CBC Fasteners (Pty) Ltd and SA Bolts Manufacturers and T&l Chalmers Engineering, re presenting a 
major proportion of more than 50 percent of the SACU industry by production volumes.  G/SG/N/6/ZAF/7/Suppl.1  
 
- 2 - 
 
  The Investigating Authority found that the Applicant submitted prima facie  information to indicate 
that there is likelihood of recurrence of serious injury to the SACU industry, should the safeguard 
measure expire, in the form of:  
• Sales volumes;  
• Market share;  
• Profits;  
• Production volumes;  
• Productivity;  
• Employment; and  
• Capacity utilisation.  
5  SACU INDUSTRY ADJUSTMENT  
The Applicant submitted information on the following factors from its Adjustment Plan to 
substantiate that the SACU industry is adjusting:  
• The industry has commissioned and completed investments in new equi pment and technology 
and other projects are still in the pipeline ; 
• The industry has created job opportunities and invested in skills development;  
• The industry, together with ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) have rationalised raw material 
qualities thereby allowing AMSA higher production volumes on a narrower product range;  
• The industry has contracted services of an independent service provider to assist in training 
of South African Revenue Services (SARS) to improve customs control;  
• The in dustry supports the introduction and piloting of Prior Surveillance Initiative system;  
• The industry supports higher levels of designation and localisation.  
The Investigating Authority found that the Applicant submitted prima facie  evidence to prove that 
the SACU industry is adjusting.  
6  FURTHER INFORMATION  
Interested parties must make themselves known within a period of 20 days after the date of this 
notice.  
Interested parties are invited to submit their comments on the initiation of the extension 
investigati on or any information regarding this matter, including any request for an oral hearing 
(including non -confidential copies thereof), to the DTI Campus, 77 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside 
Pretoria, Block Uuzaji, Ground Floor, and/or at smantolo@itac.org.za  and ttshikomba@itac.org.za . 
The due date for submissions is 15:00 on 16 April 2023. Since the due date is on a weekend, 
comments/information received on 17 April 2023 will  be accepted. Late submissions will not be 
accepted.  
If part of the information provided is of a confidential nature, the party concerned should give the 
grounds justifying confidentiality and furnish public summaries of such information, which should be 
as detailed as possible. In instances that a public summary cannot be provided a sworn statement 
must be provided stating the reasons why the information cannot be summarized. This requirement 
is designed to secure transparency and due access by all the par ties to the information relating to 
this investigation. If the summaries are not duly provided and in the absence of just cause, the 
Investigation Authority may disregard the information deemed to be confidential.  
The copy of the public notice No.1695 is attached as Annexure A for your information .* 
 
__________  
 
* To consult this document, please contact Ms Anne Richards of the Rules Division  
(anne.richards@wto.org ). 