On 19 June 2020, the Philippines notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it initiated three safeguard investigations: (i) on aluminum zinc sheets, coils and strips; (ii) on prepainted galvanized iron and prepainted aluminum zinc; and (iii) on galvanized iron sheets, coils and strips. It was notified that the notices of each of these investigations were published on 17 June 2020.

In a document accompanying each of these notifications, Indonesia indicated, among other things, as follows:

“[I]nterested parties are invited to submit their comments and position on the matter, including their views on whether the imposition of a safeguard measure is in the public interest. Submissions may be made to the Bureau of Import Services (BIS), Department of Trade and Industry, 3rd Floor, Tara Building, #389 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, or through electronic submission to bis_irmd@dti.gov.ph within five (5) days from the date of publication of this notice. 

The Non-Confidential Report on the Initiation of a Preliminary Investigation can be accessed at the DTI web page: ** “
(NOTE) “ ** ” above reads https://bit.ly/initiation-aluminum-GL for aluminum zinc sheets, coils and strips, https://bit.ly/initiation-PPGI for prepainted galvanized iron and prepainted aluminum zinc, and https://bit.ly/initiation-GI-sheets for galvanized iron sheets, coils and strips. 

The three notifications are available in G/SG/N/6/PHL/16, G/SG/N/6/PHL/17, and G/SG/N/6/PHL/18.

What is a safeguard investigation?

A safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or is threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry. 

During a safeguard investigation, importers, exporters and other interested parties may present evidence and views and respond to the presentations of other parties. 

A WTO member may take a safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports of a product temporarily) only if the increased imports of the product are found to be causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury.