REPORT (2014) OF THE COMMITTEE ON SAFEGUARDS
to the council for trade in goods
(ADOPTED 27 OCTOBER 2014)
1 general
1. The Committee on Safeguards performs the functions set out in
Article 13 of the Agreement on Safeguards. This report is submitted in
accordance with Article 13.1(a) of the Agreement, which requires the
Committee to report annually to the Council for Trade in Goods on the
general implementation of the Agreement. The report covers the period 23
October 2013 – 27 October 2014 ("period under review").
2. During the period under review, the Committee held two regular
meetings, on 28 April 2014 (G/SG/M/45) and 27 October 2014 (G/SG/M/46) as well
as an informal meeting on 16 July 2014.
3. Observer governments in the General Council of the WTO have observer
status in the Committee. Pursuant to their Agreements with the WTO, the IMF and
the World Bank have observer status in the Committee as well. UNCTAD has
observer status through a Committee decision. At its regular meetings in 1998,
the Committee decided to invite the ACP Group and the OECD to attend
Committee meetings on an ad hoc basis.
4. At its April 2014 meeting, the Committee elected Ms Kim Kampel as
Chairperson, and Mr Mitsuhiro Fukuyama as Vice-Chairperson.
2 notification and examination of safeguards laws and/or regulations
of members
5. During the period under review, the Committee continued its review
of notifications under Article 12.6 of the Agreement concerning national
legislation and/or regulations in the area of safeguards. For Members with such
legislation and/or regulations, these notifications consist of the full and
integrated text thereof. For Members without such legislation and/or
regulations, these notifications inform the Committee of this fact.
6. As of 27 October 2014, one hundred and eleven (111) Members had
notified the Committee of their safeguards legislation and/or regulations or
made communications in this regard to the Committee (G/SG/N/1/... series; see
Annex 1). Twenty-two (22) Members had not as of that date made such a
notification. The Chairperson reminded the Committee of the importance of such
notifications (G/SG/M/45 and G/SG/M/46).
7. During the period under review, the Committee reviewed the notified
(new or amended) legislative texts of the following Members: Belize, Cameroon,
Chile, Congo, European Union, the Gambia, Mexico,
Montenegro, Papua New Guinea, Russia,
Sierra Leone, Chinese
Taipei, and Turkey.
8. The substance of the review of legislative notifications is
reflected in written questions put to Members and written answers to those
questions. References to the questions and answers pertaining to each
notification can be found in the minutes of the meetings at which the
notifications were reviewed (G/SG/M/45 and G/SG/M/46).
3 notifications of actions related to safeguard measures
9. During the period under review, the Committee received and reviewed
a variety of notifications of actions related to safeguard measures. The
notifications of initiations, the application of safeguard measures, and the
termination of investigations without measures received by the Committee during
the period under review are summarized in Annex 2. A record of investigations
underway and measures applicable as of 24 October 2014 is set forth in Annex 3.
10. Members' comments concerning these notifications can be found in the
minutes of the meetings at which they were reviewed (G/SG/M/45 and G/SG/M/46).
Members' written questions and answers concerning these notifications can be
found in the G/SG/Q2/… series.
4 DISCUSSION GROUP REGARDING SAFEGUARD PROCEEDINGS
11. At its
April 2014 meeting, the Committee had a discussion under an item entitled
"Discussion Group Regarding Safeguard Proceedings". A Member recalled
the background of this discussion group and informed the Members that the
discussion group meeting would take place after the Committee meeting. Another
Member suggested that some topics taken up in the informal discussions could be
discussed in the framework of the Committee. The Chair convened an informal
meeting on 16 July 2014 to allow members to discuss the issue further and raise
any concerns. In general terms, proponents indicated they envisioned the
identification of topics on which Members could volunteer to submit papers to
form the basis for informal discussions. Though there was support for the idea,
some delegations still held concerns or indicated they would appreciate further
clarifications. The Chairperson suggested that the Members continue to reflect
further on this issue, leaving the issue to be taken forward by Members as and
when they deemed appropriate.
5 other issues Raised
12. At the Committee's April 2014 meeting, the following discussions
took place.
13. Under an agenda item requested by three Members, those Members asked
for clarification regarding certain un-notified actions by another Member. At
the same meeting, the following discussions took place under "Other
Business": (i) A Member proposed that the Committee hold a seminar on
notifications. (The Committee held an informal meeting on 16 July 2014 to
discuss the idea. Members had no objection to the seminar being held
back-to-back with the October 2014 meeting of the Committee.) (ii) Several
Members expressed concerns about three safeguards investigations each conducted
by different Members. (iii) One Member sought clarification regarding legislative
notification of another Member.
14. At the meeting of October 2014, the following discussions took
place.
15. Under an agenda item requested by it, one Member asked for
clarification regarding certain un-notified actions by another. This Member,
under another item it requested, also asked for clarification regarding lack of
notification of certain legislation by another Member. At the same meeting, the
following discussions took place under "Other Business": (i) Several
Members expressed concerns about safeguards investigations each conducted by
different Members. (ii) The Chair, for purpose of
transparency, reported back to Members on the informal open-ended consultations
held on 16 July 2014, following on the spring 2014 regular meeting.
The consultations related firstly, to the idea to extend the work of the
informal discussion group on safeguard proceedings; secondly, to the seminar on
safeguard notifications. She reminded Members of the outcomes of such
consultations, as contained in a fax to Members dated 28 July 2014.
She also drew Members' attention to the details of the seminar on
notifications, which was to be held immediately after the Committee meeting.
ANNEX 1
SAFEGUARDS LEGISLATIVE NOTIFICATIONS[1]
(Notifications
submitted as at 27 October 2014)
|
Member
|
Notification provided
|
|
Albania
|
G/SG/N/1/ALB/2 and
Rev.1
|
|
Angola
|
None
|
|
Antigua and
Barbuda
|
None
|
|
Argentina
|
G/SG/N/1/ARG/3 +
Suppl.1
|
|
Armenia
|
G/SG/N/1/ARM/1
|
|
Australia
|
G/SG/N/1/AUS/2 +
Suppl.1
|
|
Bahrain, Kingdom of
|
G/SG/N/1/BHR/2
|
|
Bangladesh
|
G/SG/N/1/BGD/1
|
|
Barbados
|
G/SG/N/1/BRB/1 (*)
|
|
Belize
|
G/SG/N/1/BLZ/1 (*)
|
|
Benin
|
G/SG/N/1/BEN/1 + Corr.1
(Corr.1-French only) (*)
|
|
Bolivia, Plurinational State
of
|
G/SG/N/1/BOL/1 +
Suppl.1 (*)
|
|
Botswana
|
G/SG/N/1/BWA/1 (*)
|
|
Brazil
|
G/SG/N/1/BRA/3 +
Suppl.1 and 2
|
|
Brunei Darussalam
|
G/SG/N/1/BRN/1 (*)
|
|
Burkina Faso
|
G/SG/N/1/BFA/1 (*)
|
|
Burundi
|
G/SG/N/1/BUR/1 (*)
|
|
Cabo Verde
|
None
|
|
Cambodia
|
G/SG/N/1/KHM/1 (*)
|
|
Cameroon
|
G/SG/N/1/CMR/1 +
Suppl.1
|
|
Canada
|
G/SG/N/1/CAN/3
|
|
Central African Republic
|
None
|
|
Chad
|
G/SG/N/1/TCD/1 (*)
|
|
Chile
|
G/SG/N/1/CHL/2 +
Suppl.1-2
|
|
China
|
G/SG/N/1/CHN/2 +
Suppl.1-4
|
|
Colombia
|
G/SG/N/1/COL/2
|
|
Congo
|
G/SG/N/1/COG/1 (*)
|
|
Costa Rica
|
G/SG/N/1/CRI/4
|
|
Côte d'Ivoire
|
G/SG/N/1/CIV/1 (*)
|
|
Cuba
|
G/SG/N/1/CUB/1
|
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo
|
None
|
|
Djibouti
|
None
|
|
Dominica
|
G/SG/N/1/DMA/1 (*)
|
|
Dominican Republic
|
G/SG/N/1/DOM/2 +
Suppl.1
|
|
Ecuador
|
G/SG/N/1/ECU/3 +
G/SG/N/1/ECU/4 and Rev.1
+
G/SG/N/1/ECU/5 + G/SG/N/1/ECU/6
|
|
Egypt
|
G/SG/N/1/EGY/2 and
Suppl.1
|
|
El Salvador
|
G/SG/N/1/SLV/3
|
|
European Union
|
G/SG/N/1/EU/1 + Suppl.1
and 2
|
|
Fiji
|
G/SG/N/1/FJI/1 (*)
|
|
Gabon
|
G/SG/N/1/GAB/2
|
|
The Gambia
|
G/SG/N/1/GMB/1 (*)
|
|
Georgia
|
G/SG/N/1/GEO/1 (*)
|
|
Ghana
|
G/SG/N/1/GHA/1 (*)
|
|
Grenada
|
None
|
|
Guatemala
|
G/SG/N/1/GTM/3
|
|
Guinea
|
G/SG/N/1/GIN/1 (*)
|
|
Guinea-Bissau
|
None
|
|
Guyana
|
G/SG/N/1/GUY/1 (*)
|
|
Haiti
|
G/SG/N/1/HTI/1 (*)
|
|
Honduras
|
G/SG/N/1/HND/2 and 3
|
|
Hong Kong, China
|
G/SG/N/1/HKG/1 (*)
|
|
Iceland
|
G/SG/N/1/ISL/1 (*)
|
|
India
|
G/SG/N/1/IND/2 +
Suppl.1 + G/SG/N/1/IND/3 + Suppl.1
|
|
Indonesia
|
G/SG/N/1/IDN/2 and
G/SG/N/1/IDN/3
|
|
Israel
|
G/SG/N/1/ISR/1 and 2
(and its Suppl.)
|
|
Jamaica
|
G/SG/N/1/JAM/2 + Corr.1
|
|
Japan
|
G/SG/N/1/JPN/2 +
Suppl.1 and 2
G/SG/N/1/JPN/3
|
|
Jordan
|
G/SG/N/1/JOR/2 + Corr.1
& 2
|
|
Kenya
|
G/SG/N/1/KEN/1 (*)
|
|
Korea, Republic of
|
G/SG/N/1/KOR/5
|
|
Kuwait, the State of
|
G/SG/N/1/KWT/1
|
|
Kyrgyz Republic
|
G/SG/N/1/KGZ/1
|
|
Lao People's Democratic Republic
|
G/SG/N/1/LAO/1 (*)
|
|
Lesotho
|
G/SG/N/1/LSO/1 (*)
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
G/SG/N/1/LIE/1 (*)
|
|
Macao, China
|
G/SG/N/1/MAC/3 (*)
|
|
Madagascar
|
G/SG/N/1/MDG/1 (*)
|
|
Malawi
|
G/SG/N/1/MWI/1 (*)
|
|
Malaysia
|
G/SG/N/1/MYS/2
|
|
Maldives
|
G/SG/N/1/MDV/1 (*)
|
|
Mali
|
G/SG/N/1/MLI/1 (*)
|
|
Mauritania
|
None
|
|
Mauritius
|
G/SG/N/1/MUS/1 (*)
|
|
Mexico
|
G/SG/N/1/MEX/1 +
Suppl.1-4
|
|
Moldova, Republic of
|
G/SG/N/1/MDA/1
|
|
Mongolia
|
G/SG/N/1/MNG/1 (*)
|
|
Montenegro
|
G/SG/N/1/MNE/1 +
Suppl.1
|
|
Morocco
|
G/SG/N/1/MAR/2
|
|
Mozambique
|
None
|
|
Myanmar
|
G/SG/N/1/MYM/1 (*)
|
|
Namibia
|
G/SG/N/1/NAM/2 (*)
|
|
Nepal
|
G/SG/N/1/NPL/1 (*)
|
|
New Zealand
|
G/SG/N/1/NZL/1
|
|
Nicaragua
|
G/SG/N/1/NIC/2
|
|
Niger
|
None
|
|
Nigeria
|
G/SG/N/1/NGA/1 (*)
|
|
Norway
|
G/SG/N/1/NOR/4
|
|
Oman
|
G/SG/N/1/OMN/2
|
|
Pakistan
|
G/SG/N/1/PAK/3
|
|
Panama
|
G/SG/N/1/PAN/1 and
G/SG/N/1/PAN/2+Suppl.1
|
|
Papua New Guinea
|
G/SG/N/1/PNG/1 (*)
|
|
Paraguay
|
G/SG/N/1/PRY/2
|
|
Peru
|
G/SG/N/1/PER/2 +
Suppl.1 & 2
|
|
Philippines
|
G/SG/N/1/PHL/2
|
|
Qatar
|
G/SG/N/1/QAT/1 (*)
|
|
Russian Federation
|
G/SG/N/1/RUS/1
|
|
Rwanda
|
None
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
None
|
|
Saint Lucia
|
G/SG/N/1/LCA/1 (*)
|
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|
None
|
|
Samoa
|
None
|
|
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
|
G/SG/N/1/SAU/1 (*)
|
|
Senegal
|
G/SG/N/1/SEN/1 (*)
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
G/SG/N/1/SLE/1 (*)
|
|
Singapore
|
G/SG/N/1/SGP/1 (*)
|
|
Solomon Islands
|
None
|
|
South Africa
|
G/SG/N/1/ZAF/1 + ZAF/2
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
G/SG/N/1/LKA/1 (*)
|
|
Suriname
|
G/SG/N/1/SUR/1 (*)
|
|
Swaziland
|
None
|
|
Switzerland
|
G/SG/N/1/CHE/1 (*)
|
|
Chinese Taipei
|
G/SG/N/1/TPKM/2 +
Suppl.1-3 and G/SG/N/1/TPKM/3
|
|
Tajikistan
|
None
|
|
Tanzania
|
None
|
|
Thailand
|
G/SG/N/1/THA/3
|
|
The former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
|
G/SG/N/1/MKD/1 + Corr.1
+ Suppl.1
|
|
Togo
|
G/SG/N/1/TGO/1 (*)
|
|
Tonga
|
None
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
G/SG/N/1/TTO/1 (*)
|
|
Tunisia
|
G/SG/N/1/TUN/2
|
|
Turkey
|
G/SG/N/1/TUR/3 +
Suppl.1 and 2
|
|
Uganda
|
G/SG/N/1/UGA/1 (*)
|
|
Ukraine
|
G/SG/N1/UKR/1 + Suppl.1
|
|
United Arab Emirates
|
G/SG/N/1/ARE/1 (*)
|
|
United States of America
|
G/SG/N/1/USA/1
|
|
Uruguay
|
G/SG/N/1/URY/1 + Supp.1
& Corr.1
(Corr.1 - Spanish only)
|
|
Vanuatu
|
None
|
|
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
|
G/SG/N/1/VEN/2
|
|
Viet Nam
|
G/SG/N/1/VNM/1
|
|
Yemen
|
None
|
|
Zambia
|
G/SG/N/1/ZMB/2
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
G/SG/N/1/ZWE/2 (*)
|
- Notification
accompanied with the mark (*) is a "nil" notification.
- "None"
means that no notification has been submitted.