India Initiates Safeguard Probe on Rising
Soda Ash Imports
·
Investigation initiated: 16 March 2026; notified to WTO on 21
April 2026
·
Legal basis: WTO Safeguards Agreement + FTDR Act, 1992
& Safeguard Rules, 2012
·
Product covered: Disodium Carbonate (Soda Ash – Na₂CO₃)
o Includes all forms:
natural/synthetic, light/dense
o HS Code: 283620
(indicative)
·
Period of Investigation (POI): April 2020 – September
2025
o Recent period focus:
Jan 2025 – Sept 2025
·
Core issue:
o Sharp, sudden, and
significant rise in imports since April 2023
·
Key reasons for import surge:
o Global excess
production capacity
o Trade diversion to
India due to Russia–Ukraine conflict
o Weak global demand
(glass, automotive sectors)
o Strong domestic demand
in India
o Capacity expansion in
China, USA, Türkiye
·
Allegation:
o Imports causing serious injury and
threat to domestic industry
·
Next steps:
o Stakeholders must
register on DGTR SETU portal
o 37-day deadline from
initiation notice
o Non-cooperation may
lead to decisions based on available facts
·
Implication:
o Possible imposition of
safeguard measures (e.g., quotas/duties)
India Launches Safeguard
Investigation on Soda Ash
On
24 April 2026, India notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it had
initiated on 16 March 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of soda ash.