WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SG/N/11/TUR/18 
G/SG/N/14/TUR/9 
9 May 2012 
 (12-2399) 
Committee on Safeguards Original:   English 
 
 
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(C) OF THE AGREEMENT  
ON SAFEGUARDS UPON TAKING A DECISION TO  
EXTEND A SAFEGUARD MEASURE 
 
NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 9, FOOTNOTE 2 
OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS 
 
 
TURKEY 
 
(Certain Electrical Appliances) 
 
 
 The following communication, dated 30 April 2012, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of Turkey.   
 
_______________  
 
  We enclose a notification pursuant to Article 12.1(c) and Article 9, footnote 2 of the 
Agreement on Safeguards, on taking a decision to ex tend a safeguard measure that is being applied 
against imports of certain electrical appliances and  non-application of safeguard measure to 
developing countries.  The introduction of the ex isting safeguard measure was notified with the 
document G/SG/N/8/TUR/10, G/SG/N/9/TUR/4, G/SG/N/10/TUR/10, G/SG/N/11/TUR/11 dated 
22 August 2008.  
 Consistent with Article 12.3 of the Agreemen t on Safeguards, Turkey is ready to hold 
consultations with those Members having a substan tial interest as exporters of the product concerned. 
 
A. 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1( C) OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS UPON TAKING A 
DECISION TO EXTEND A SAFEGUARD MEASURE  
1. Evidence that the safeguard measure conti nues to be necessary to prevent or remedy 
serious injury or threat thereof caused by  increased imports and that the industry 
concerned is adjusting  
  The investigation has been conducted by Turk ish Investigating Authority.  The figures 
between 2008 and 2011 were examined.  Followi ng figures on economic indicators of domestic 
producers are based on the data submitted by 8 dome stic producers which produce more than 90% of 
total domestic production. G/SG/N/11/TUR/18 
G/SG/N/14/TUR/9 
Page 2 
  
  1.1 Product 1* 
 
(Thousand Pieces) 2008  2009  2010  2011  
Consumption  2,367 1,298 2,216 2,191 
Capacity  3,145 3,716 4,861 4,945 
Capacity Utilization Rate (%)  45 40 51 46 
Production  1,428 1,500 2,492 2,275 
Domestic Sales  464 820 1,589 1,409 
Inventories  36 58 244 117 
Employment (Person)  398 403 495 485 
Productivity (Piece/Person) 3,587 3,723 5,035 4,691 
Profitability (%) -2 0 1 2 
*Domestic figures of 8509.80.00. 00.11 "Mincing appliances" were  given in pieces whereas import 
figures were in kg in the preliminary examination, so it was excluded from Product 1, but the 
import figures were converted to pieces from kg by using the informa tion gathered from the 
domestic producers during the investigation and it was included in Product 1.   
 
 Consumption of Product 1 has decreased significan tly in 2009 and then increased to the level 
close to 2008, in 2010.   It remained stable at th is level in 2011 with only 1% decrease in comparison 
with 2010. 
 
 According to information collected during the investigation, production capacity of Product 1 
increased above 3.1 million pieces in 2008 and reac hed nearly 5 million pieces in 2011.  Although 
there was a significant increase in the production,  the capacity utilization ratio increased to 51% 
in 2010 and then decreased to 46% in 2011. 
  Production increased by 66% in 2010 in comparison with the previous year.  But it decreased 
by 9% in 2011 in comparison with 2010. 
  Domestic sales increased during the investiga tion period, only in 2011 domestic sales 
decreased 13% to 1,409 million from 2010. 
  End of period inventories increased to a la rge extent after 2009 and started to decrease 
in 2011. 
  Employment reached to its highest level in 2010 but it decreas ed by 2% in 2011. 
 
 Productivity increased starting from 2008 and reached to its highest level in 2010.  But 
in 2011, there was a decrease in productivity. 
  Profitability which was -2 in 2008 turned to  positive level in 2010. Although the domestic 
industry started to generate profit from 2010 the prof itability ratio of the domestic industry was still at 
very low levels.   
 As a result, despite the prog ress in certain economic indicators of the domestic industry there 
were signs of deterioration due to the increase in imports especially in 2011.  G/SG/N/11/TUR/18 
 G/SG/N/14/TUR/9 
 Page 3 
  
  1.2. Product 2 
 
(Thousand Pieces) 2008  2009  2010  2011  
Consumption  1,124 810 861 1,121 
Capacity  1,030 1,030 1,030 1,330 
Capacity Utilization Rate (%)  42 47 63 73 
Production  437 487 645 974 
Domestic Sales  284 416 530 824 
Inventories  103 57 66 78 
Employment (Person)  178 247 284 300 
Productivity (Piece/Person) 2,456 1,973 2,271 3,245 
Profitability (%)  5 4 4 5 
 
 Consumption of Product 2 decreased significantly  in 2009 and increased 6% in 2010.  It 
remained very low in comparison with the peri od in 2008.  In 2011, consumption increased 
significantly by 23% in comparison 2010 and reached to the level of 2008.  
 
 Production capacity did not change between  2008 and 2010.  It increased 30% in 2011 to 
1.330 million.  Capacity utilization ratio increased thr ough the investigation period.  It has reached its 
highest level with 73% in 2011. 
 
 Production increased during the investigation period.  
 Domestic sales showed a parallel progress with the production. 
  Despite the decrease in end of period inventor ies in 2009, it has increased gradually in 2010 
and 2011. 
  Employment has increased through the investigation period. 
 
 Productivity has fluctuated during the investigation period and reached to its highest level in 2011. 
 
 Profitability of Product 2 slightly decreased in 2009 but it increased in 2011 by reaching 2008 
level. 
  As a result, there is a progress in the economic indicators of the domestic industry but the 
inventory level increased during the appli cation period of the safeguard measure. 
 
1.3. Product 3 
 
(Thousand Pieces) 2008  2009  2010  2011  
Consumption  1,876 628 1,349 1,747 
Capacity  1,250 1,400 1,840 2,250 
Capacity Utilization Rate (%)  3 13 39 39 
Production  39 187 715 884 
Domestic Sales  40 183 655 717 
Inventories  4 7 45 142 
Employment (Person)  33 47 107 110 
Productivity (Piece/Person) 1,172 3,970 6,683 8,033 G/SG/N/11/TUR/18 
G/SG/N/14/TUR/9 
Page 4 
  
  (Thousand Pieces) 2008  2009  2010  2011  
Profitability (%)  -15 7 9 9 
 
 Consumption of Product 3 has decreased sharply to  its lowest level in 2009.  Then it increased 
significantly in 2010 and 2011 but not ab le to reach to its level in 2008. 
 
 Capacity has increased during the investigation period.  Capacity utilization ratio was at its 
lowest level in 2008 but it started to increase in 2009 and reached to 39% in 2010 and remained at that 
level in 2011. 
  Production increased persistently during the inv estigation period and in 2011 it reached to its 
highest level to 884 thousands by 19% increase in comparison with 2010. 
  Domestic sales started to increase in parallel with production and reached to its highest level 
in 2011. 
  Inventories increased during the investigation pe riod and reached to its highest level in 2011. 
 
 Employment and productivity increased during the investigation period and reached to their 
highest levels in 2011. 
 
 Profitability which was negative in 2008 turned to positive in 2009.  It increased in 2010 and 
remained at the same level in 2011. 
 
 As a result, there is a progress in the certain economic indicators of the domestic industry but 
the inventory level increased si gnificantly during the application period of the safeguard measure. 
 
1.4 Product 4 
 
(Thousand Pieces) 2008  2009  2010  2011  
Consumption  766 275 483 509 
Capacity  200 200 200 200 
Capacity Utilization Rate (%)  39 40 85 62 
Production  78 79 171 124 
Domestic Sales  51 65 156 116 
Inventories  2 4 1 2 
Employment (Person)  20 20 37 34 
Productivity (Piece/Person)  3,915 3,975 4,621 3,638 
Profitability (%)  7 -5 16 15 
 
 Consumption has decreased sharply in 2009.  It increased significantly in 2010 then increased 
to 509 thousands in 2010. 
 
 Capacity has not changed during the investig ation period.  Capacity utilization ratio has 
reached to its highest level in 2010 with 85%.  But it has decreased to 62% in 2011. 
  Production has increased substantia lly in 2010 and reached to its highest level.  It decreased 
by 38% in 2011 comparison with 2010. 
  G/SG/N/11/TUR/18 
 G/SG/N/14/TUR/9 
 Page 5 
  
   Domestic sales showed a parallel progress with  production and reached to its highest level 
in 2010.  It decreased by 35% in 2011 comparison with 2010.  
 The inventories which doubled in 2009 signi ficantly decreased in 2010 but then increased 
in 2011. 
 
 Employment did not change in 2009.  It increased significantly to its highest level in 2010 but it decreased in 2011 by 9%. 
 
 Productivity increased gradually between 2008 a nd 2010 but fell to its lowest level in 2011. 
 
 Profitability turned to negative in 2009 and then  turned back to positive in 2010 and remained 
at the same level in 2011.  
 In conclusion, there is a progress in the economic  indicators of the domestic industry but this 
trend did not continue in 2011. 
 
1.5. Conclusion  
 After the initial safeguard measure, the imports decreased significantly in 2009 but in the last 
two years it has been noted that the imports were in the rise except Product 2.  On the other hand, 
most of the economic indicators of the domestic industry have improved since the beginning of the 
initial measure.  Production, domestic sales, capac ity and employment rate increased after the 
imposition of the measure.  
 
 However, by examining the last year's indicator s, it can be concluded th at deterioration on the 
economic indicators is in line with the increase in im ports and if the measure is removed, the increase 
in imports will continue by eliminating the recove ry effects of the measure to prevent the serious 
injury or threat of serious injury to the domestic industry.  There is no increase in imports of 
Product 2, but if the measure is removed it may tr igger the increase in imports in this product group 
and adversely affect the positive sign of this product group's indicators. 
 
 In the application period of the initial meas ure, highly productive firms continued their 
operations in the market, meanwhile new firms entere d into the market.  Some of the firms that are 
operating for many years in the market showed im provements by reaching their production levels in 
economy of scale.  Thus, they managed to decrease  their cost of production and compete with the 
import prices. 
 
 The increase in the capacity utilization ratio, economy of scale and the conversion in the 
production structure through consumer preference le d to increase in efficiency in the domestic 
industry and showed that the domestic industry is ad justing itself to the conditions of competition. 
 
 Furthermore, it has taken note that the share of imports is still about 50% in 2011 and the 
domestic industry still needs time for sectoral tr ansformation on design and innovation through R&D 
and brand promotion.  It is also noted that th e economic indicators of the domestic industry will 
seriously deteriorate if the measure is removed.  For these reasons it is considered that the current 
safeguard measure shall be extended for 2 years. G/SG/N/11/TUR/18 
G/SG/N/14/TUR/9 
Page 6 
  
  2. Information on absolute increase in imports 
 
Product 1*  2008 2009 2010 2011  
Imports -Pieces  1,902,583 477,519 626,513 782,324 
Change (%)  - -75 31 25 
Share of Imports (%)  80 37 28 36 
Imports/Production (%)  133 32 25 34 
* Domestic figures of 8509.80.00.00.11 "Mincing appliances" were given in 
pieces whereas imports figures were in kg in the prelimin ary examination and 
it was excluded from Product 1, but the import figures have been converted to 
pieces from kg by using the information gathered from the domestic producers 
during the investigation.   
 
 Imports decreased to its lowest level in 2009 but increased in following years.  This increase 
was 31% in 2010 and 25% in 2011.  Ratio of im ports to domestic production decreased to 32% 
in 2009.  This ratio was realized as 25% in 2010  and as 4% in 2011.  Share of imports decreased 
during the investigation period. But it increa sed in 2011 due to the increase in imports. 
 
Product 2  2008 2009 2010 2011  
Imports -Pieces  839,747 393,910 331,385 297,731 
Change (%)  - -53 -16 -10 
Share of Imports (%)  75 49 38 27 
Imports/Production (%)  192 81 51 31 
 
 Imports decreased after the application of safeguard measure.  Ratio of imports to domestic 
production decreased to 81% in 2009.  The ratio wa s realized as 51% in 2010 and as 31 % in 2011.  
Share of imports decreased through the investigation period.  
Product 3  2008 2009 2010 2011  
Imports -Pieces  1,835,716 445,002 693,194 1,029,330 
Change (%)  - -76 56 48 
Share of Imports (%)  98 71 51 59 
Imports/Production (%)  4,745 238 97 116 
 
 Imports decreased after the application of safeguard measure but increased substantially in 
following years.  Imports increased 56% in 2010 a nd 48% in 2011.  Ratio of imports to domestic 
production and share of imports decreased in 2009 and 2010 but increased in 2011. 
 
Product 4  2008 2009 2010 2011  
Imports -Pieces  714,341 209,921 327,373 393,546 
Change (%)  - -71 56 20 
Share of Imports (%)  93 76 68 77 
Imports/Production (%)  912 264 191 318 
 
 Imports decreased substantially in 2008, bu t increased in 2010 and 2011 by 56% and 20% 
respectively.  Besides, ratio of imports to domestic  production and share of imports decreased in 2009 
and 2010 but increased in 2011 due to sharp increase in imports. 
 
3. Precise description of the product involved 
 
 The Harmonized System (HS) Codes within Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule and descriptions of the products subject to the safe guard measure are listed in the table below.   
  G/SG/N/11/TUR/18 
 G/SG/N/14/TUR/9 
 Page 7 
  
  Product HS Code Description of the Product 
Product 1 8509.40.00.00.11 Grinders 
8509.40.00.00.12 Mixers 
8509.40.00.00.13 Blenders 
8509.40.00.00.15 Complete sets 
8509.40.00.00.19 Others (Choppers) 
8509.80.00.00.11 Mincing appliances 
Product 2 8516.60.90.00.11 Toasters 
Product 3 8516.31.00.00.19* Others (Hair dryers) 
Product 4 8508.11.00.00.19 Others (Handheld vacuum cleaners) 
*Turkish Customs Tariff Code of the concerned product was 8516.31.90.00.00 in the initial 
application, but it has changed in 2011.  The concerned product is now classified under 
8516.31.00.00.19. 
 
4. Description of any part of the imported product that will no longer be subject to the 
measure in the extension 
  The initial safeguard measure covers the produc ts listed above.  For th e extension no product 
is excluded. 
 
5. Precise description of the proposed measure 
 
 The safeguard measure is proposed to be extended for 2 years until 31 October 2013 
(October 31 is included) in the form of a fixed duty, which will be implemented against imports 
having CIF value lower than those shown in th e threshold column of the table below.   
 
HS Code  Description of the Product  Threshold
(USD per 
piece)  Fixed duty 
(USD per piece)  
1/11/2011- 
31/10/2012  1/11/2012- 
31/10/2013
8508.11.00.00.19 Others (Handheld vacuum 
cleaners) 50 4.75 4.50 
8509.40.00.00.11 Grinders 40 3.75 3.50 
8509.40.00.00.12 Mixers 40 3.75 3.50 
8509.40.00.00.13 Blenders 40 3.75 3.50 
8509.40.00.00.15 Complete sets 60 5.70 5.40 
8509.40.00.00.19 Others (Choppers) 40 3.75 3.50 
8509.80.00.00.11 Mincing appliances 60 5.70 5.40 
8516.31.00.00.19 Others (Hair dryers) 40 3.75 3.50 
8516.60.90.00.11 Toasters  50 4.75 4.50 
 
6. Proposed date of introduction of the measure 
 
 The measure will come into force with the publication of the approval of the Council of 
Ministers after the procedures are concluded. 
 
7. Expected duration of the measure 
 
 The expected duration of the proposed measure is two years.  G/SG/N/11/TUR/18 
G/SG/N/14/TUR/9 
Page 8 
  
  8. Proposed date for the review  
 
 Not applicable. 
 
9. Expected timetable for progressive liberalization of the measure 
 
 The measure is proposed to be liberalized as stated in the Title 5.  10. If the notification relates only to a finding  of serious injury or threat thereof, and does 
not relate to a decision to apply or extend a safeguard measure 
 Not applicable. 
 
11. Information relating to the extension of a safeguard measure 
(i) Evidence that the industry concerned is adjusti ng and that the safeguard measure continues to 
be necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury is provided in Title 1.  
(ii) Reference to the WTO document that notifie d the initial application of the measure 
 
 The introduction of the definitive safegua rd measure was notified in the document 
numbered G/SG/N/8/TUR/10, G/SG/N/9/TUR/4, G/SG/N/10/TUR/10, G/SG/N/11/TUR/11 dated 
22 August 2008. 
 
(iii) Duration of the measure from initial applicati on till the date at which it will be extended. 
 
 The initial safeguard measure was applied from 1 November 2008 to 31 October 2011.  
Turkey now intends to extend the saf eguard measure until 31 October 2013. 
 
(iv) Precise description of the measure in place prior to the date of extension 
 
 The initial safeguard measure was imposed in th e form of fixed duty, which was implemented 
against imports having CIF value lower than those s hown in the threshold column of the table below 
by the Council of Ministers decision published in  the Official Gazette dated 1 November 2008.   
 
HS Code Description of the Product Threshold 
(USD per 
piece) Fixed duty (USD per piece) 
1st  
Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 
8509.40.00.00.11 Grinders 40 5 4.5 4 
8509.40.00.00.12 Mixers 40 5 4.5 4 
8509.40.00.00.13 Blenders 40 5 4.5 4 
8509.40.00.00.15 Complete sets 60 8 7 6 
8509.40.00.00.19 Choppers 40 5 4.5 4 
8509.80.00.00.11 Mincing appliances 60 8 7 6 
8516.60.90.00.11 Toasters (Contact grills) 50 6 5.5 5 
8516.31.90.00.00 Hair dryers 40 5 4.5 4 
8508.11.00.00.19 Handheld vacuum cleaners 50 6 5.5 5 
  G/SG/N/11/TUR/18 
 G/SG/N/14/TUR/9 
 Page 9 
  
  12. Information relating to exporting members 
(i) The major exporting Members of imports of the product involved. 
 The main exporter country to Turkey for the product concerned is the People's Republic of 
China.  China has more than 80% import share in 2011.  
 
(ii) There are no exporting Members to which th e measure does not apply for any reason other 
than the application of Article 9.1 
13. Members are encouraged to attach, in an electronic form, publicly available 
document(s) containing the relevant decision (s) made by the competent authority.   
 The official documents regarding the investiga tion and the final decision can be reached from 
the link below. 
 
 http://www.tpsa.gov.tr/index.cfm?sayfa=B35F754F-D8D3-8566-4520BB112FC5F15F  
 
B. NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 9, FOOTNOTE 2 OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS  
1. The measure 
 It is proposed to impose safeguard measure in  the form of fixed duty with thresholds as 
described in Title 5. 
 
2. The product subject to the measure 
 The measure is applied to the products  described in Title 3, stated above. 
 
3. Developing countries to which the measure is not applied under article 9.1 of the 
Agreement on Safeguards 
  The developing countries which are excluded fro m the measure as they export less than 
3 per cent of imports to Turkey are listed below.    
Afghanistan;  Algeria;  Antigua and Barbuda;  Ango la;  Argentina;  American Samoa;  Anguilla;  
Antarctica;  Aruba;  Azerbaijan;  Barbados;  Banglad esh;  Burkina Faso;  Bahrain;  Burundi;  Benin;  
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela;  Brunei Daruss alam;  Bolivia;  Brazil;  Bahamas;  Bhutan;  
Botswana;  Belize;  Bermuda;  Bouvet Island;  Britis h Virgin Islands;  British Indian Ocean Territory;  
Democratic Republic of Congo;  Cent ral African Republic;  Congo;  Côte  d'Ivoire;  Cameroon;  Chad;  
Colombia;  Costa Rica;  Cuba;  Cape Verde;  Ca yman Islands;  Chile;  Christmas Islands;  Cocos 
Islands;  Cook Islands;  Djibouti;  Dominica;  Do minican Republic;  Ecuador;  Egypt;  Eritrea;  
Ethiopia;  Fiji;  Federated States of Micronesia;  Falkland Islands;  French Polynesia;  French Southern Territories;  Gabon;  Grenada;  Ghana;  Ga mbia;  Georgia;  Greenland;  Guinea;  Equatorial 
Guinea;  Guatemala;  Guinea-Bissau;  Guyana;  Gi braltar;  Guam;  Honduras;  Haiti;  Heard Island 
and McDonald Islands;  India;  Indonesia;  Iraq;  Iran;  Jamaica;  Jordan;  Kazakhstan;  Kenya;  
Cambodia;  Kiribati;  Comoros;  St. Kitts and Ne vis;  Kuwait;  Kyrgyzstan;  Laos;  Lebanon;  
St. Lucia;  Sri Lanka;  Liberia;  Lesotho;  Libya;   Morocco;  Madagascar;  Marshall Islands;  Mali;  
Moldova;  Mongolia;  Mauritania;  Mauritius;  Malays ia;  Maldives;  Malawi;  Mozambique;  Macao;  
Mayotte;  Mexico;  Montserrat;  Namibia;  Niger;  Nigeria;  Nicaragua;  Nepal;  Nauru;  Netherlands 
Antilles;  New Caledonia;  Niue Island;  Norfolk Isla nd;  Northern Mariana Islands;  Oman;  Panama;  
Peru;  Papua New Guinea;  Philippines;  Pakistan ;   P a l a u ;   P a r a g u a y ;   P i t c a i r n ;   Q a t a r ;   G/SG/N/11/TUR/18 
G/SG/N/14/TUR/9 
Page 10 
  
  Russian Federation;  Rwanda;  Samoa;  Saudi Ar abia;  Solomon Islands;  Seychelles;  Sudan;  
Sierra Leone;  Senegal;  Somalia;  Suriname;  Sao Tomé and Principe;  El Salvador;  Syrian Arab 
Republic;  Swaziland;  South Africa;  South Geor gia and South Sandwich Is lands;  St. Helena and 
Dependencies;  St. Pierre and Miquelo n;  Tajikistan;  Thailand;  Togo;  Tunisia; Tonga;  East Timor;  
Trinidad and Tobago;  Turkmenistan;  Tuvalu;  Ta nzania;  Tokelau;  Turks and Caicos Islands;  
Ukraine;  United Arab Emirates; United States Minor Outlying Islands;  Uganda;  Uruguay;  
Uzbekistan;  St. Vincent;  Vietnam;  Vanuatu;  Vi rgin Islands of US;  Wallis and Futuna Islands;  
Yemen;  Zambia and Zimbabwe.   
 
__________