RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/SG/N/6
7February 1995
ORGANIZATION(95-0234)
Original: English Committee onSafeguards
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(A) OFTHE AGREEMENT ONSAFEGUARDS
ONINITIATION OFANINVESTIGATION AND THE REASONS FOR IT
1. Under Article 12.1(a) oftheAgreement onSafeguards, aMember shallimmediately notify
theCommittee onSafeguards uponinitiating aninvestigatory process relating toserious injury orthreat
thereof andthereasons forit.
2. Inviewoftherequirement thatanotification hastobeprovided immediately upon initiating
aninvestigation, andthepossibility thatcertain Members mayneedtomake suchanotification prior
toanydiscussion ontherelevant format bytheCommittee onSafeguards, aformat issuggested below
forthesenotifications under Article 12.1(a) oftheAgreement onSafeguards toassist Members tofocus
onthetypeofinformation tobesubmitted inthenotifications andtoobtain similar responses from
different Members.
Suggested format fornotifications under Article 12.1(a) oftheAgreement onSafeguards
Notification totheCommittee onSafeguards upon initiation ofaninvestigation process
relating toserious injury orthreat thereof andthereasons forit
Note: Theformat issuggested without prejudice totheinterpretation oftherelevant provisions in
theAgreement onSafeguards bythecompetent bodies. Members arealsoreminded ofthe
provision inArticle 12.11 oftheAgreement onSafeguards, which reads asfollows: "The
provisionsonnotificationinthisAgreementshallnotrequireanyMembertodiscloseconfidential
information thedisclosure ofwhich would impede lawenforcement orotherwise becontrary
tothepublic interest orwould prejudice thelegitimate commercial interests ofparticular
enterprises, public orprivate."
1. Specify thedatewhen theinvestigation wasinitiated.
2. Specify theproduct subject totheinvestigation.
3. Provide thereasons fortheinitiation ofinvestigation, forexample:
(i) Wastheinvestigationinitiatedpursuanttoapetitionfromthedomesticindustry?
(ii) Evidence onthebasis ofwhich theinvestigation wasinitiated.
(iii) Evidence, ifany,oncritical circumstances where delay would cause damage
which itwould bedifficult torepair.