Egypt Launches Safeguard Investigation on White Sugar

Egypt notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it would initiate on 16 April 2015 a safeguard investigation on white sugar.

In the notification, Egypt indicated as follows:

“Interested parties must make themselves known to the Investigating Authority within a period of 30 days after the initiation of the investigation. 

Any information, which the interested parties may wish to submit to the Investigating Authority, should be submitted in writing; and any request for a hearing should be submitted within 30 days following the initiation of this investigation.”

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.