Russia Notifies WTO of Safeguard Investigation on Polymer-Coated Flat Steel, Major Exporters China, Turkey and Central Asia

On 9 September 2026, the Russian Federation notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards regarding the initiation on 7 September 2026 of a safeguard investigation on certain flat steel products with polymer coating imported into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union.

·         WTO Notification: On 9 September 2026, the Russian Federation notified the WTO Committee on Safeguards regarding a safeguard investigation initiated on 7 September 2026 on certain polymer-coated flat steel products imported into the Eurasian Economic Union.

·         Investigating Authority: Conducted by the Department for Internal Market Defence (DIMD) under the Eurasian Economic Commission (Moscow, Russia; Email: tradedefence@eecommission.org).

·         Key Deadlines for Interested Parties:

o    Participant Status: Must declare intention to seek status within 25 days of initiation.

o    Public Hearings: Requests must be made within 45 days of initiation.

o    Written Comments: Must be submitted in Russian within 60 days of initiation.

·         What is a Safeguard Investigation? A WTO procedure to determine if surging imports are causing or threatening serious injury to a domestic industry, which can potentially lead to temporary import restrictions.

 

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[ABS News Service/15.09.2026]

What is a safeguard investigation?

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.