Madagascar Launches Safeguard Investigation into Imports
of Self-Adhesive Labels and Printed Packaging, China is Major Exporter
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Madagascar initiated a safeguard investigation on 13 August 2026 covering imports of self-adhesive labels,
packaging and certain other printed products made from paper, cardboard, plastics,
textiles and similar materials.
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The investigation was notified to the WTO Committee on Safeguards on 28
August 2026.
ˇ
Interested importers, exporters and other parties must register with ANMCC
by 12 September 2026 and may submit evidence, comments and questionnaire responses
within the same deadline.
ˇ
Public hearings may be organised to allow interested parties to present
evidence and defend their interests.
ˇ
Failure to provide complete and timely information may result in findings
being based on the best information available.
ˇ
A safeguard investigation examines whether increased imports are causing
or threatening serious injury to the domestic industry.
ˇ
If serious injury is established, Madagascar may impose temporary import
restrictions/safeguard measures, subject to WTO rules.
[ABS News Service/29.08.2026]
On 28 August 2026, Madagascar notified the
WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 13 August 2026 a safeguard
investigation on imports of self-adhesive labels, packaging and other printed items
on paper, cardboard, plastics, textiles or other similar materials.
In the notification Madagascar
indicated, among other things, as follows (provisional English translation):
"4. Provide a point of
contact for the investigation and identify the preferred means for corresponding.
The point
of contact would be available to respond to enquiries relating to the procedures
applicable to the investigation.
Monsieur Le Directeur Général de l'ANMCC
By-pass Ankadievo,
CR Alasora, Antananarivo 103 MADAGASCAR
e-mail: dg.anmcc@gmail.com
website: www.anmcc.org
5. Provide
the deadlines and procedures for importers, exporters and other interested parties
to present evidence and their views, including: (i) deadlines and procedures
for Members and exporters to identify themselves as interested parties, if so required,
to participate in the investigation and (ii) the date of an intended public hearing
as provided for in Article 3.1. [..]
Any natural or legal person with
an interest in the matter must make themselves known to the ANMCC within 30 days
of the opening of the investigation, i.e. no later than 12 September 2026, in order
to be registered as an interested party to the investigation. Within the same time
limit, they may submit any information or comments, as well as their responses to
the questionnaire, which is available upon request from the ANMCC. Public hearings
may also be organized, either on the authority's own initiative or upon request,
in order to allow interested parties to present their evidence, respond to the submissions
of other parties, and defend their interests.
Where responses to the questionnaire
or requested supplementary information are not provided within the prescribed time
limits, or are incomplete or inaccurate, the determinations will be based on the
best information available."
The notification is available
in G/SG/N/6/MDG/19. (Currently available in French
only)
A safeguard investigation seeks
to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or are 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.