South Africa opens safeguard investigation into float glass imports
The WTO notice gives importers, exporters and other interested parties a window to submit evidence.
South Africa has notified the World Trade Organization that it is investigating imports of certain non-wired float glass products. The investigation opened on November 3, and the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards received the notification on November 11.
The inquiry will examine whether rising imports are causing or threatening serious harm to a domestic industry. The WTO notice describes the start of an investigation. A decision to temporarily restrict imports would depend on the findings.
South Africa’s notification gives interested parties 20 days from the opening of the investigation to identify themselves and send comments or ask for a hearing. Companies submitting confidential material are asked to explain why it should be withheld and to supply public summaries. The notice sets out a separate procedure when a public summary cannot be provided.
The WTO notice links to the formal notification under document number G/SG/N/6/ZAF/15. Importers and suppliers can use that document to check the scope of the inquiry before assessing whether their shipments are covered.