WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/L/583
4 November 2002
(02-6060)
REPORT (2002) OF THE COMMITTEE ON SAFEGUARDS
TO THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS
I. GENERAL
1. The Committee on Safeguards was established in 1995 to perform the functions set out in
Article 13 of the Agreement on Safeguards.  This report is submitted in accordance with
Article 13.1(a) of the Agreement, which requires the Committee to report annually to the Council forTrade in Goods on the general implementation of the Agreement.  The report covers the period since
the Committee's last annual report (G/L/494), i.e., 30 October 2001–28 October 2002.
2. During the period under review, the Committee held two regular meetings, on 29-
30 April 2002 (G/SG/M/19) and 28 October 2002 (G/SG/M/20).  The Committee also held an
informal meeting on 4 October 2002, concerning an outstanding implementation issue referred to theCommittee by the IV. Ministerial Conference.
3. Observer governments in the General Council of the WTO have observer status in the
Committee.  Pursuant to their Agreements with the WTO, the IMF and the World Bank have observer
status in the Committee as well.  UNCTAD has observer status in the Committee through a
Committee decision.
4. Both the OECD and the ACP Group have requested regular observer status in the Committee.
At its regular meetings in 1998, the Committee decided to invite the OECD to attend Committee
meetings on an ad hoc  basis, subject to objection by a Member in particular cases.  At the same time,
the Committee also decided to invite the ACP Group to attend its meetings on an ad hoc  basis,
pending the outcome of horizontal consultation s with respect to the ACP Group's request for
observership in various WTO bodies.  The Committee continued this practice during the reporting
period.
5. At its regular meeting in April 2002, the Committee elected Mr. Gustavo Lunazzi (Argentina)
as Chairperson, and Ms Ellen Kluijtmans (Netherlands) as Vice Chairperson.
II. NOTIFICATION AND EXAMINATION OF SAFEGUARDS LAWS AND/OR
REGULATIONS OF MEMBERS
6. During the period under review, the Committee continued its review of notifications under
Article 12.6 of the Agreement concerning national legislation and/or regulations in the area of
safeguards.  For Members with such legislation and/or regulations, these notifications consist of the
full and integrated text thereof.  For Members without such legislation and/or regulations, these
notifications inform the Committee of this fact.G/L/583
Page 2
7. As of 28 October 2002, 99 Members1 had notified the Committee of their domestic
safeguards legislation and/or regulations or made communications in this regard to the Committee
(G/SG/N/1 and addenda).  30 Members had not as of that date made such a notification.  Annex 1 lists
the status of notifications under Article 12.6 of the Agreement.  The extent of the non-compliance
with this notification obligation, and the implications  of this situation, were raised by the Chairman at
the regular meetings of the Committee held during the review period (G/SG/M/19 and G/SG/M/20).
8. During the period under review, the Committee reviewed the notified new or amended
legislative texts of the following Members: Chinese Taipei, Dominican Republic, Korea, Lithuania,
Moldova, the People's Republic of China and Poland.
9. The Committee also reviewed during this period the notification without legislative text of
Georgia.
10. The substance of the review of legislative notifications is reflected in the written questions put
to Members and the written answers to those questions.  References to the questions and answers
pertaining to each notification can be found in the minutes of the meetings at which the notifications
were reviewed (G/SG/M/19 and G/SG/M/20).
III. NOTIFICATIONS OF ACTIONS RELATED TO SAFEGUARD MEASURES
11. During the period under review, the Committee received and reviewed a variety of
notifications of actions related to safeguard measures.  The notifications of initiations, the application
of safeguard measures, and the termination of investigations without measures received by the
Committee from 30 October 2001–28 October 2002 are summarized in Annex 2.
12. During the period under review, the Committee reviewed 39 notifications under
Article 12.1(a) regarding the initiation of investigations.  These were from Bulgaria on crown corks,ammonium nitrate, urea and certain steel product s;  from Canada on certain steel products;  from
Chile on certain steel products, lighters and fructose / glucose;  from Costa Rica on rice;  from the
Czech Republic on ammonium nitrate, cocoa powder, citric acid, wire, ropes and cables, tubes and
pipes, and certain steel products;  from the European Communities on certain steel products;  from
Hungary on certain steel products;  from India on phenol, acetone, epichlorohydrin, industrial sewing
machine needles, and vegetable oil;  from Jordan on magnetic tapes, ceramic sinks, ceramic tiles,
cooking appliances, electric accumulators and pasta;  from Latvia on live pigs and pork; from Mexico
on plywood panels;  from the People's Republic of China on certain steel products;  from Poland on
calcium carbide, water heaters and certain steel products;  from the Slovak Republic on ammonium
nitrate;  from Venezuela on paper and iron / steel U sections.
13. During the period under review, the Committee reviewed 15 notifications concerning the
application of provisional measures under Article 12.4.  These were from Bulgaria on ammoniumnitrate;  from Chile on fructose;  from Costa Rica on rice; from the Czech Republic on cocoa powder;
from the European Communities on certain steel products;  from Hungary on certain steel products;
from Jordan on magnetic tapes;  from the People's Republic of China on certain steel products;  from
the Philippines on grey portland cement and ceramic floor tiles;  and from Poland on certain steel
products.
14. During the period under review, the Committee also reviewed 18 notifications concerning
findings of serious injury or threat thereof caused by increased imports.  These notifications were
                                                     
1 Counting the EC and its Member States as a single Member for purposes of the legislative
notification.  There are currently 144 WTO Members.  This figure is reduced to 129 if the EC and its Member
States are counted as a single Member.G/L/583
Page 3
from Brazil on coconuts;  from Bulgaria on crown corks;  from Canada on certain steel products;
from the Czech Republic on cocoa powder;  from the European Communities on certain steel
products;  from India on phenol and epichlorohydrin;  from Jordan on magnetic tapes;  from Lithuania
on pastry yeast;  from the Philippines on grey portland cement and ceramic floor tiles;  from the
Slovak Republic on sugar;  and from the United States on certain steel products.
15. During the period under review the Committee reviewed 10 notifications of termination of
safeguard investigations without measures.  These notifications were from Chile on steel, lighters and
glucose;  from Japan on tatami-omote, welsh onion and shiitake mushrooms;  from Morocco on
rubber;  from the Philippines on tomato paste;  from El Salvador on fertilizer;  and from the
United States on certain steel products.
16. Furthermore, the Committee reviewed 26 notifications concerning decisions to apply
safeguard measures.  These notifications were from Brazil on coconuts;  from Chile on certain steelproducts and fructose;  from the Czech Republic on cocoa powder;  from the European Communities
on certain steel products;  from India on acetone, phenol and gamma ferric oxide / magnetic iron
oxide;  from Jordan on magnetic tapes;  from Lithuania on pastry yeast;  from the Philippines on
ceramic floor tiles;  from the Slovak Republic on sugar;  and from the United States on certain steel
products, lamb meat, line pipe and wire rod.
17. During the period under review, the Committee received 21 notifications concerning the non-
application of a safeguard measure to developing country Members.  These were from Brazil on
coconuts;  from Chile on certain steel products;  from the Czech Republic on cocoa powder;  from the
European Communities on certain steel products;  from  Hungary on certain steel products;  from India
on acetone;  from the People's Republic of China on certain steel products;  from the Philippines onceramic floor tiles;  from Poland on certain steel products;  and from the United States on certain steel
products, lamb meat, and line pipe.
18. The Committee reviewed one notification concerning the results of the mid-term review of
Brazil's safeguard measure on toys.
19. The Committee discussed 12 notifications regarding the proposed suspension of concessions
and other obligations during the period under review.  These all concerned the US measures on certain
steel products.  The notifications were received from Australia and the United States; Brazil and the
United States;  Chinese Taipei and the United States; the European Communities; Japan; Korea and
the United States; New Zealand and the United States; Norway; the People's Republic of China; and
Switzerland.
20. Members' oral comments concerning these notifications can be found in the minutes of the
meetings at which they were reviewed (G/SG/ M/19 and G/SG/M/20).  Members' written questions
and answers concerning these notifications  can be found in the G/SG/Q2/… series.
IV. PRE-EXISTING MEASURES
21. The Committee noted that Nigeria had previously notified certain measures as pre-existing in
document G/SG/N/2/ NGA, dated 16 March 1998.  At the Co mmittee's 29-30 April 2002 meeting,
Nigeria confirmed that these measures were still in force.
V. OUTSTANDING IMPLEMENTATION ISSUE: TIRET 84
22. At the Committee's regular meetings on 29-30 April and 28 October, and its informal meeting
on 4 October 2002, Members discussed the outstanding implementation issue identified as tiret 84 in
document Job (01)/152/Rev.1.  The Committee reviewed this matter in accordance with paragraph 12G/L/583
Page 4
of the Ministerial Declaration of 14 November 2001 (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1), and section 13 of the
Ministerial Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns of 14 November 2001
(WT/MIN(01)/17).  The Committee took note of the Mi nisterial Declaration that a report shall be sent
to the Trade Negotiations Committee on this matter before the end of 2002.
VI. TRANSITIONAL REVIEW UNDER PARAGRAPH 18 OF THE PROTOCOL OF
ACCESSION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA TO THE WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATION
23. In accordance with paragraph 18 of the Protocol of Accession of the People's Republic of
China to the WTO (WT/L/432), the Committee reviewed China's implementation of the Safeguards
Agreement.  The Committee agreed that the Chairman would report to the Council for Trade in Goods
on this issue.
VII. ISSUES CONCERNING THE APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 9.1
24. At its regular meeting of 28 October 2002, the Committee began discussions on a number of
issues regarding the application of Article 9.1 of the Agreement, and the Committee agreed to revert
to these issues at the next regular meeting.  Me mbers' preliminary comments concerning these issues
are contained in document G/SG/M/20.
VIII.  OTHER ISSUES RAISED
25. A number of additional issues were raised at the Committee's regular meeting of 29-
30 April 2002.  First, the Committee discussed preparations in connection with paragraph 18 of the
Protocol of Accession of the Peopl e's Republic of China (transitional review mechanism).  Second,
the Chairman raised an issue regarding corresponde nce with the Chairman of the Committee on Trade
and Development regarding activities in respect of the special and differential treatment provisions ofthe Safeguards Agreement.  Third, the Chairman ra ised an issue regarding the reporting of technical
assistance/capacity building activities.  Fourth, the Chairman reminded Members of the proper
procedure for making notifications to the Committee.  Fifth, one Member expressed concern
regarding various Members' investigations concerning imports of steel products.  Sixth, one Member
requested updates from two other Members regarding the status of particular safeguard investigations.
26. Three additional items were raised at the Committee's regular meeting of 28 October 2002.
First, the Chairman referred to a letter from the Chairman of the Committee on Trade and
Development regarding activities in respect of the sp ecial and differential treatment provisions of the
Safeguards Agreement.  Second, the Chairman referred to a letter from the Chairman of the Working
Group on Trade and Transfer of Technology regarding any activity in the Committee concerning trade
/ technology transfer issues.  Third, one Member sought clarification concerning the status of
investigations being conducted by two other Members.G/L/583
Page 5
ANNEX 1
SAFEGUARDS LEGISLATIVE NOTIFICATIONS
MEMBER NOTIFICATION PROVIDED
Albania None
Angola None
Antigua and Barbuda None
Argentina G/SG/N/1/ARG/3 + Suppl.1
Australia G/SG/N/1/AUS/2
Bahrain G/SG/N/1/BHR/1
Bangladesh G/SG/N/1/BGD/1
Barbados None
Belize None
Benin G/SG/N/1/BEN/1 + Co rr.1 (Corr.1-French only)
Bolivia G/SG/N/1/BOL/1 + Suppl.1
Botswana G/SG/N/1/BWA/1
Brazil G/SG/N/1/B RA/3 + Suppl.1
Brunei Darussalam G/SG/N/1/BRN/1
Bulgaria G/SG/N/1/BGR/1
Burkina Faso None
Burundi G/SG/N/1/BUR/1
Cameroon None
Canada G/SG/N/1/CAN/2
Central African Republic None
Chad G/SG/N/1/TCD/1
Chile G/SG/N/1/CHL/2
China G/SG/N/1/CHN/2
Colombia G/SG/N/1/COL/2
Congo None
Congo, Dem. Rep. None
Costa Rica G/SG/N/1/CRI/2
Côte d'Ivoire G/SG/N/1/CIV/1
Croatia G/SG/N/1/HRV/2
Cuba G/SG/N/1/CUB/1
Cyprus G/SG/N/1/CYP/1
Czech Republic G/SG/N/1/CZE/3
Djibouti None
Dominica G/SG/N/1/DMA/1
Dominican Republic G/SG/N/1/DOM/2
Ecuador G/SG/N/1/ECU/3
Egypt G/SG/N/1/EGY/2
El Salvador G/SG/N/1/SLV/2
Estonia G/SG/N/1/EST/2
European Communities G/SG/N/1/EEC/1
Fiji G/SG/N/1/FJI/1
Gabon None
Gambia, The None
Georgia G/SG/N/1/GEO/1
Ghana G/SG/N/1/GHA/1
Grenada NoneG/L/583
Page 6
MEMBER NOTIFICATION PROVIDED
Guatemala G/SG/N/1/GTM/2
Guinea Bissau None
Guinea, Rep. of G/SG/N/1/GIN/1
Guyana None
Haiti G/SG/N/1/HTI/1
Honduras G/SG/N/1/HND/2
Hong Kong, China G/SG/N/1/HKG/1
Hungary G/SG/N/1/HUN/2 + Add.1 + Suppl.1 & 2
Iceland G/SG/N/1/ISL/1
India G/SG/N/1/ IND/2+Suppl.1
Indonesia G/SG/N/1/IDN/1
Israel G/SG/N/1/ISR/2
Jamaica G/SG/N/1/JAM/1
Japan G/SG/N/1/JPN/2/Suppl.1 & G/SG/N/1/JPN/3
Jordan G/SG/N/1/JOR/1 + Corr.1
Kenya G/SG/N/1/KEN/1
Korea G/SG/N/1/KOR/5
Kuwait None
Kyrgyz Rep G/SG/N/1/KGZ/1
Latvia G/SG/N/1/LVA/1/Suppl.3
Lesotho G/SG/N/1/LSO/1
Liechtenstein G/SG/N/1/LIE/1
Lithuania G/SG/N/1/LTU/2
Macao, China G/SG/N/1/MAC/2
Madagascar G/SG/N/1/MDG/1
Malawi G/SG/N/1/MWI/1
Malaysia G/SG/N/1/MYS/1
Maldives G/SG/N/1/MDV/1
Mali None
Malta G/SG/N/1/MLT/1
Mauritania None
Mauritius G/SG/N/1/MUS/1
Mexico G/SG/N/1/MEX/1
Moldova G/SG/N/1/MDA/1
Mongolia G/SG/N/1/MNG/1
Morocco G/SG/N/1/MAR/1
Mozambique None
Myanmar G/SG/N/1/MYM/1
Namibia G/SG/N/1/NAM/2
New Zealand G/SG/N/1/NZL/1
Nicaragua G/SG/N/1/NIC/1
Niger None
Nigeria G/SG/N/1/NGA/1
Norway G/SG/N/1/NOR/3
Oman G/SG/N/1/OMN/1
Pakistan G/SG/N/1/PAK/1
Panama G/SG/N/1/PAN/1
Papua New Guinea None
Paraguay G/SG/N/1/PRY/2G/L/583
Page 7
MEMBER NOTIFICATION PROVIDED
Peru G/SG/N/1/PER/2
Philippines G/SG/N/1/PHL/2
Poland G/SG/N/1/POL/3
Qatar G/SG/N/1/QAT/1
Romania G/SG/N/1/ROM/1
Rwanda None
Saint Kitts & Nevis None
Saint Lucia G/SG/N/1/LCA/1
Saint Vincent & Grenadines None
Senegal G/SG/N/1/SEN/1
Separate Customs Territory of
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and
MatsuG/SG/N/1/TPKM/2
Sierra Leone None
Singapore G/SG/N/1/SGP/1
Slovak Republic G/SG/N/1/SVK/2
Slovenia G/SG/N/1/SVN/2
Solomon Islands None
South Africa G/SG/N/1/ZAF/1
Sri Lanka G/SG/N/1/LKA/1
Suriname G/SG/N/1/SUR/1
Swaziland None
Switzerland G/SG/N/1/CHE/1
Tanzania None
Thailand G/SG/N/1/THA/2
Togo None
Trinidad and Tobago G/SG/N/1/TTO/1
Tunisia G/SG/N/1/TUN/2
Turkey G/SG/N/1/TUR/2 + Rev.1
Uganda G/SG/N/1/UGA/1
United Arab Emirates G/SG/N/1/ARE/1
United States G/SG/N/1/USA/1
Uruguay G/SG/N/1/UR Y/1 + Supp.1 + Corr.1
(Corr.1-Spanish only)
Venezuela G/SG/N/1/VEN/2
Zambia G/SG/N/1/ZMB/1
Zimbabwe G/SG/N/1/ZWE/2G/L/583
Page 8 ANNEX 2
SUMMARY OF NOTIFICATIONS OF INITIATIONS, PRELIMINARY MEASURES,
DEFINITIVE MEASURES, AND TERMINATIONS FROM
30 OCTOBER 2001 TO 28 OCTOBER 2002
Reporting
MemberSafeguard investigations initiated Preliminary safeguard measures
imposedDefinitive safeguard measures
imposedSafeguard investigations
terminated
Brazil Coconuts; 01/09/2002;
G/SG/N/10/BRA/3
Bulgaria Crown Corks; 25/10/ 2001;
G/SG/N/6/BGR/2
Ammonium Nitrate; 16/01/2001;
G/SG/N/6/BGR/3
Urea; 14/05/2002; G/SG/N/6/BGR/4Steel; 08/07/2002;
G/SG/N/6/BGR/5Ammonium nitrate; 01/07/2002;
G/SG/N/7/BGR/2
Canada Steel; 25/03/2002;
G/SG/N/6/CAN/1
Chile Steel; 28/12/2001;
G/SG/N/6/CHL/7
Steel; 05/04/2002;
G/SG/N/6/CHL/8
Lighters; 31/08/2001 ;
G/SG/N/6/CHL/6
Fructose / Glucose; 08/06/2002;
G/SG/N/6/CHL/9Fructose; 07/ 2002; G/SG/N/7/CHL/6 Steel; 07/2002; G/SG/N/10/CHL/4
Fructose; 30/08/2002;
G/SG/N/10/CHL/5Steel; 26/03/2002;
G/SG/N/9/CHL/5
Lighters; 09/01/2002;
G/SG/N/9/CHL/4
Glucose; 05/07/2002;
G/SG/N/9/CHL/6
Costa Rica Rice; 11703/2002; G/SG/N/6/CRI/1 Rice; 12/03/2002; G/SG/N/7/CRI/1G/L/583
Page 9Reporting
MemberSafeguard investigations initiated Preliminary safeguard measures
imposedDefinitive safeguard measures
imposedSafeguard investigations
terminated
Czech Republic  Cocoa Powder; 15/11/2001;
G/SG/N/6/CZE/4
Citric Acid; 30/01/2002;
G/SG/N/6/CZE/5
Wire, Ropes and Cables;
27/02/2002; G/SG/N/6/CZE/6
Tubes and pipes; 06/03/2002;
G/SG/N/6/CZE/7
Ammonium nitrate; 14/08/2002;
G/SG/N/6/CZE/8
Steel; 28/08/2002; G/SG/N/6/CZE/9Cocoa Powder; 30/11/2001;
G/SG/N/7/CZE/3Cocoa Powder; 14/06/2002;
G/SG/N/10/CZE/3
Ecuador Matches;  24/10/2002;
G/SG/N/10/ECU/1
EuropeanCommunitiesSteel; 28/03/2002;
G/SG/N/6/EEC/1Steel; 29/03/2002; G/SG/N/7/EEC/1 Steel; 29/09/2002;
G/SG/N/10/EEC/1/Suppl.1
Hungary Steel; 22/05/2002;
G/SG/N/6/HUN/1Steel; 03/06/2002; G/SG/N/7/HUN/1
India
Epichlorohydrin (ECH);
14/03/2002; G/SG/N/6/IND/12
Industrial Sewing Machine
Needles; 13/08/2002;G/SG/N/6/IND/14
Vegetable oil; 27/05/2002;
G/SG/N/6/IND/13Gamma Ferric Oxide
(GFO)/Magnetic Iron Oxide (MIO) ;
24 January 2001; G/SG/N/10/IND/7G/L/583
Page 10 Reporting
MemberSafeguard investigations initiated Preliminary safeguard measures
imposedDefinitive safeguard measures
imposedSafeguard investigations
terminated
Japan Tatami-omote, welsh
onion and shiitakemushrooms ; 21/12/2001;G/SG/N/9/JPN/1
Jordan Magnetic tapes; 24/01/2002;
G/SG/N/6/JOR/2
Ceramic sinks; 27/05/2002;
G/SG/N/6/JOR/7
Ceramic tiles; 29/05/2002;
G/SG/N/6/JOR/4
Cooking appliances; 29/05/2002;
G/SG/N/6/JOR/5
Cooking appliances; 29/05/2002;
G/SG/N/6/JOR/8
Electric accumulators; 29/05/2002;
G/SG/N/6/JOR/6
Pasta; 18/05/2002;
G/SG/N/6/JOR/3Magnetic tapes; 01-02/2002;
G/SG/N/7/JOR/1Magnetic tapes; 01/05/2002;
G/SG/N/10/JOR/2
Latvia Live pigs and pork; 01/07/2002;
G/SG/N/6/LVA/2
Lithuania Pastry yeast; 01/03/2002;
G/SG/N/10/LTU/1
Mexico Plywood panels; 15/08/2002;
G/SG/N/6/MEX/1
Morocco Rubber; 27/06/2001;
G/SG/N/9/MAR/1G/L/583
Page 11Reporting
MemberSafeguard investigations initiated Preliminary safeguard measures
imposedDefinitive safeguard measures
imposedSafeguard investigations
terminated
People's Republic
of ChinaSteel; 20/05/2002;
G/SG/N/6/CHN/1Steel; 24/05/2002; G/SG/N/7/CHN/1
Philippines Grey portland cement; 07/11/2001;
G/SG/N/7/PHL/1
Ceramic floor and wall tiles;
26/11/2001; G/SG/N/7/PHL/2Ceramic floor and wall tiles;
11/04/2002 ; G/SG/N/10/PHL/1 Tomato paste;
26/12/2001;G/SG/N/9/PHL/1
Poland Calcium Carbide; 18/02/2002;
G/SG/N/6/POL/2
Steel; 08/06/2002;
G/SG/N/6/POL/4
Water heaters; 28/05/2002;
G/SG/N/6/POL/3Steel; 19/08/2002;  G/SG/N/7/POL/1
El Salvador Fertilizer; 19/10/2001;
G/SG/N/9/SLV/3
Slovak Republic Ammonium nitrate; 14 October
2002; G/SG/N/6/SVK/3
United States Certain steel products; 20/03/2002;
G/SG/N/10/USA/6Certain steel products;
22/11/2001;G/SG/N/9/USA/4
Venezuela Paper; 16/10/2001;
G/SG/N/6/VEN/4
Iron/steel U sections; 01/11/2001;
G/SG/N/6/VEN/5
__________