WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/L/832 
30 October 2007 
 (07-4713) 
  
  
 
REPORT (2007) 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 for 
Trade in Goods on the general impl ementation of the Agreement.  Th e report covers the period since 
the Committee's last annual report (G/L/795), i.e., 24 October 2006 – 24 October 2007. 
2. During the period under review, the Committee he ld two regular meetings, on 23 April 2007 
(G/SG/M/31) and 24 October 2007 (G/SG/M/32).  
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 ha s 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 de cided 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 consultations with respect to the ACP Group's request for 
observership in various WTO bodies.  The Committ ee continued this practice during the reporting 
period.  
5. At its regular meeting in April 2007, the Committee elected Miss Jo McKeagg as 
Chairperson, and Mr. Faisal Abdel Rashid as Vice Chairperson. 
II. NOTIFICATION AND EXAMINATION OF SAFEGUARDS LAWS AND/OR 
REGULATIONS OF MEMBERS 
6. During the period under review, the Committee c ontinued its review of notifications under 
Article 12.6 of the Agreement concerning national le gislation and/or regulations in the area of 
safeguards.  For Members with such legislation and/ or regulations, these notif ications consist of the 
full and integrated text thereof.  For Members without such legislation and/or regulations, these 
notifications inform the Committee of this fact. 
7. As of 24 October 2007, 91 Members had notif ied the Committee of their domestic safeguards 
legislation and/or regulations or made communications in this rega rd to the Committee (G/SG/N/1/... 
series; see Annex 1).  33 Members had not as of that da te made such a notification.  The extent of the 
non-compliance with this notification obligation, and the implications of this situation, were raised by 
the Chairman at the regular meeting of the Committee held during the review period (G/SG/M/32).  G/L/832 
Page 2  
 
  8. During the period under review, the Committee re viewed the notified (new or amended) 
legislative texts of the following Members: Albani a, European Communities, Mexico and Panama.  
9. The substance of the review of legislative notifi cations is reflected in the written questions put 
to Members and the written answers to those ques tions.  References to the questions and answers 
pertaining to each notification can be found in the mi nutes of the meetings at which the notifications 
were reviewed (G/SG/M/31 and G/SG/M/32). 
III. NOTIFICATIONS OF ACTIONS RELATED TO SAFEGUARD MEASURES 
10. During the period under review, the Committee  received and reviewed a variety of 
notifications of actions related to  safeguard measures.  The notifica tions of initiations, the application 
of safeguard measures, and the termination of investigations without measures received by the 
Committee from 24 October 2006 – 24 October 2007 are summarized in Annex 2.  A record of 
investigations underway, and measures applicable, as  of 24 October 2007 is set forth in Annex 3. 
11. During the period under review, the Committee revi ewed 5 notifications under Article 12.1(a) 
regarding the initiation of new investigations.  These were from Jordan on ceramic tiles; from 
Moldova on cane or beet sugar;  from South Africa on lysine; from two notifications Turkey on frames 
and mountings for spectacles and on travel goods.   
12. During the period under review, the Committee reviewed 3 notifications concerning the 
application of new provisional measures under Artic le 12.4.  These were from Chile on powdered 
milk, liquid milk and Gouda cheese; from Panama on PVC films; and from South Africa on lysine.  
13. During the period under review the Committee revi ewed 2 notifications of termination of 
safeguard investigations without measures. These notifications were from the Philippines concerning 
sodium tripolyphosphates; and  from Jordan on ceramic tiles.    
14. Furthermore, the Committee reviewed 6 notifi cations concerning decisions to apply new 
safeguard measures.
1  These notifications were from Argentina on CD-Rs; from Chile on powdered 
milk, liquid milk and Gouda cheese; from Jordan  on footwear; from Panama on PVC films; from 
South Africa on lysine; and from Turkey on motorcycles.     
15. During the period under review, the Committee received 4 notifications concerning new 
decisions2 not to apply a safeguard measure to developing country Members.3  These were from 
Argentina on CD-Rs; from Jordan on footwear; from Panama on printed film in rolls; and from South Africa on lysine.    
16. At the regular meeting of 23 April 2007, some questions were posed by the United States in 
relation to the role of the government of Brazil in an agreement between the Brazilian and Chinese toy 
industry associations, which was publicized subsequent  to the expiration of the safeguard measure. 
Brazil responded that the government of Brazil did not take part in that agreement, and clarified that 
the agreement was publicized by the governm ent for the sake of transparency.     
17. Members' oral comments concerning all of the notifications can be found in the minutes of the 
meetings at which they were reviewed (G/SG/ M/31 and G/SG/M/32).  Members' written questions 
and answers concerning these notifications can be found in the G/SG/Q2/… series. 
                                                     
 
1  In addition, there were three no tifications from the Philippines (on float glass, on figured glass and 
on glass mirrors) concerning the extension of existing measures. 
2  Notifications in relation to definitive measures made subsequent to notifications in relation to 
provisional measures are not tr eated as "new" decisions here. 
3  In addition, there were three no tifications from the Philippines (on float glass, on figured glass and 
on glass mirrors) made in relation to the extension of existing measures.  G/L/832 
 Page 3 
 
 
  IV. TRANSITIONAL REVIEW UNDER PARAGRAPH 18 OF THE PROTOCOL OF 
ACCESSION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 
18. In accordance with paragraph 18 of the Protoc ol of Accession of the People's Republic of 
China to the WTO (WT/L/432), the Committee review ed China's implementation of the Safeguards 
Agreement (see G/SG/M/32).  The Committee agreed that the Chairman would report to the Council 
for Trade in Goods on this issue. 
V. ISSUES CONCERNING THE APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 9.1 
19. At its regular meeting of 23 April 2007, th e Committee discussed a number of issues 
regarding the application of Article 9.1 of the Agreement.  
VI. OTHER ISSUES RAISED 
20. At the Committee's regular meeting of 23 Apr il 2007, several Members made statements, 
under "other business", on the initiation of an investigation of a specific Member.  G/L/832 
Page 4  
 
  ANNEX 1 
 
SAFEGUARDS LEGISLATIVE NOTIFICATIONS
4 
 
MEMBER NOTIFICATION PROVIDED 
Albania G/SG/N/1/ALB/1 + Suppl.1 (*) 
Angola None 
Antigua and Barbuda None 
Argentina G/SG/N/1/ARG/3 + Suppl.1 (*) 
Armenia G/SG/N/1/ARM/1 
Australia G/SG/N/1/AUS/2 
Bahrain G/SG/N/1/BHR/1 (*) 
Bangladesh G/SG/N/1/BGD/1  
Barbados G/SG/N/1/BRB/1 (*) 
Belize None 
Benin G/SG/N/1/BEN/1 + Corr.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/BRA/3 + Suppl.1 
Brunei Darussalam G/SG/N/1/BRN/1 (*) 
Burkina Faso None 
Burundi G/SG/N/1/BUR/1 (*) 
Cambodia None 
Cameroon None 
Canada G/SG/N/1/CAN/3 
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 + Suppl.1-4 
Colombia G/SG/N/1/COL/2 
Congo None 
Congo, Dem. Rep. None 
Costa Rica G/SG/N/1/CRI/3 
Côte d'Ivoire G/SG/N/1/CIV/1 (*) 
Croatia G/SG/N/1/HRV/2 + Add. 1 
Cuba G/SG/N/1/CUB/1 
Djibouti None 
Dominica G/SG/N/1/DMA/1 (*) 
Dominican Republic G/SG/N/1/DOM/2 + Corr.1 (Corr.1-Spanish only) 
Ecuador G/SG/N/1/ECU/3 + G/SG/N/1/ECU/4 and Rev.1 
Egypt G/SG/N/1/EGY/2 
El Salvador G/SG/N/1/SLV/2 
European Communities G/SG/N/1/EEC/1 + Suppl.1, 2&3 
Fiji G/SG/N/1/FJI/1 (*) 
Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia G/SG/N/1/MKD/1+Corr.1+Suppl.1 
Gabon None 
Gambia, The None 
Georgia G/SG/N/1/GEO/1 (*) 
                                                      
4  The 27 member states of the European Communities are not indicated individually in this table, and 
are counted as 1 under the entry "European Co mmunities" for the purpose of this table.   G/L/832 
 Page 5 
 
 
  MEMBER NOTIFICATION PROVIDED 
Ghana G/SG/N/1/GHA/1 (*) 
Grenada None 
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 (*) 
Iceland G/SG/N/1/ISL/1 (*) 
India G/SG/N/1/IND/2 + Suppl.1 
Indonesia G/SG/N/1/IDN/2 
Israel G/SG/N/1/ISR/1 + Corr. 1 
Jamaica G/SG/N/1/JAM/2 + Corr. 1 
Japan G/SG/N/1/JPN/2 + Corr.1 & Suppl.1 
G/SG/N/1/JPN/3 
Jordan G/SG/N/1/JOR/2 + Corr. 1&2 
Kenya G/SG/N/1/KEN/1 (*) 
Korea G/SG/N/1/KOR/5 
Kuwait None 
Kyrgyz Rep. G/SG/N/1/KGZ/1 
Lesotho G/SG/N/1/LSO/1 (*) 
Liechtenstein G/SG/N/1/LIE/1 (*)  
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 
Mauritania None 
Mauritius G/SG/N/1/MUS/1 (*) 
Mexico G/SG/N/1/MEX/1 + Suppl.15, 2 & 3 
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 (*) 
Nepal None 
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/3 
Panama G/SG/N/1/PAN/1 
Papua New Guinea None 
                                                      
5  And its corrigendum.  G/L/832 
Page 6  
 
  MEMBER NOTIFICATION PROVIDED 
Paraguay G/SG/N/1/PRY/2 
Peru G/SG/N/1/PER/2 + Suppl. 1 & 2  
Philippines G/SG/N/1/PHL/2 
Qatar G/SG/N/1/QAT/1 (*) 
Rwanda None 
Saint Kitts & Nevis None 
Saint Lucia G/SG/N/1/LCA/1 (*) 
Saint Vincent & Grenadines None 
Saudi Arabia None 
Senegal G/SG/N/1/SEN/1 (*) 
Sierra Leone None 
Singapore G/SG/N/1/SGP/1 (*) 
Solomon Islands None 
South Africa G/SG/N/1/ZAF/1+ZAF/2 
Sri Lanka G/SG/N/1/LKA/1 (*) 
Suriname G/SG/N/1/SUR/1 (*) 
Swaziland None 
Switzerland G/SG/N/1/CHE/1 (*) 
Separate Customs Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu G/SG/N/1/TPKM/2 + Suppl.1 
Tanzania None 
Thailand G/SG/N/1/THA/2 
Togo None 
Tonga None 
Trinidad and Tobago G/SG/N/1/TTO/1 (*) 
Tunisia G/SG/N/1/TUN/2 
Turkey G/SG/N/1/TUR/3 
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/URY/1 + Supp.1 & Corr.1 
(Corr.1-Spanish only) 
Venezuela G/SG/N/1/VEN/2 
Vietnam None 
Zambia G/SG/N/1/ZMB/1 (*) 
Zimbabwe G/SG/N/1/ZWE/2 (*) 
 
  - Notification accompanied with the mark (*) is a "nil" notification.  
- "None" means that no notification has been submitted.    
  
   G/L/832
 Page 7ANNEX 2 
 
SUMMARY OF VARIOUS NOTIFICATIONS BETWEEN 24 OCTOBER 2006 - 24 OCTOBER 20076 
 
Reporting Member Safeguard investigations 
initiated Provisional safeguard 
measures  Definitive safeguard measures 
(including recommendations of 
imposition)  Safeguard investigations 
terminated without 
measures Expired or terminated 
measures 7 
Argentina (compact discs)  06/06/2006 
(G/SG/N/6/ARG/6)  29/05/2007 
(G/SG/N/10/ARG/5) G/SG/N/10/ARG/5/Supp.1)    
Australia 
(swine meat) 17/10/2007 
(G/SG/N/6/AUS/2)8     
Chile 
(dairy products) 08/09/2006 
(G/SG/N/6/CHL/11)  13/10/2006 
(G/SG/N/7/CHL/8) 14/12/2006 
G/SG/N/10/CHL/7   
Jordan (ceramic 
tiles, flags & 
paving) 31/10/2007 
(G/SG/N/6/JOR/12)    25/7/2007 
(G/SG/N/9/JOR/7)   
Jordan 
(Footwear) 01/08/2006 
(G/SG/N/6/JOR/11)  19/02/2007 
(G/SG/N/10/JOR/6, 
(G/SG/N/10/JOR/6/Corr.1, 
(G/SG/N/10/JOR/6/Suppl.1)    
Moldova 
(cane or beet 
sugar)  27/07/2007 
(G/SG/N/6/MDA/3)9     
Panama (printed 
film in rolls) 11/09/2006 
(G/SG/N/6/PAN/1) 12/04/2007 
(G/SG/N/7/PAN/1, G/SG/N/7/PAN/1/Suppl.1) 
 10/10/2007 
 (G/SG/N/10/PAN/1/Suppl.1)
10   
Philippines 11 
(sodium tripolyphosphates) 08/03/2006 
(G/SG/N/6/PHL/6) 06/07/2006 
(G/SG/N/7/PHL/6)    06/02/2007 
(G/SG/N/7/PHL/6/Rev.1)
12 
 
                                                      
6 Dates indicated in this table are dates of the actual initiation, taking of the measure etc.  Notifications indicated in bold italics are those actually notified during this 
period.  
7  This column only indicates information on expiration or termin ation which the relevant Member notified as such in writing.  
8  This notification was submitted after the issuance of the airg ram for the autumn 2007 meeting, and will be discussed at the s pring 2008 meeting. 
9  Moldova clarified at the meeting of 24 October 2007 that this  notification refers to an investigation concerning extension of  the existing safeguard measure. 
10  This notification was submitted after the issuance of the airg ram for the autumn 2007 meeting, and will be discussed at the s pring 2008 meeting. 
11  Three notifications from the Philippines (on float glass, on figured glass and on glass mirrors) concerning the extension of existing measures are not included in this 
table. 
12 This is a notification of termination of a pr ovisional measure for public interest reasons.  
  G/L/832 
Page 8 Reporting Member Safeguard investigations 
initiated Provisional safeguard 
measures  Definitive safeguard measures 
(including recommendations of 
imposition)  Safeguard investigations 
terminated without 
measures Expired or terminated 
measures 7 
South Africa 
(lysine)  11/05/2007 
(G/SG/N/6/ZAF/1) 11/05/2007 
(G/SG/N/7/ZAF/1) measure not yet  in force13 
(G/SG/N/10/ZAF/1)   
Turkey 
(frames and 
mountings for spectacles)  11/02/2007 
G/SG/N/6/TUR/11)     
Turkey 
(motorcycles) 15/08/2006 
(G/SG/N/6/TUR/10)  15/08/2006 
(G/SG/N/7/TUR/1)  02/03/2007 
(G/SG/N/10/TUR/7)   
Turkey  
(travel goods)  05/06/07 
(G/SG/N/6/TUR/12)     
 
 
                                                      
13 South Africa has notified that "the definitive measure, if  adopted, will come into effect in mid-November 2007."  G/L/832 
 Page 9 
 
 
  ANNEX 3 
 
SUMMARY OF ACTIVE SAFEGUARD INVESTIGATIONS AND / OR 
EXISTING SAFEGUARD MEASURES 
AS OF 24 OCTOBER 2007 14  
 
Member & 
Investigation Initiation date Effective date of provisional 
measure, if any 15  Effective date and type 
of definitive measure, 
if any 
Argentina 
    
Compact discs 06.06.2006 
(G/SG/N/6/ARG/6)  29/05/07 
specific duty 
(G/SG/N/10/ARG/5) 
Australia 
    
Swine meat 17.10.2007 
(G/SG/N/6/AUS/2)16   
Brazil 
    
Coconuts 10.08.01 
(G/SG/N/6/BRA/2)  09.02 
Quantitative restriction (G/SG/N/10/BRA/3 & 
Suppls.1-4) 
 
European 
Communities 
    
Mandarins 11.07.03 
(G/SG/N/6/EEC/2) 
  11.04.04 
Tariff rate quotas 
(G/SG/N/10/EEC/2) 
India 17 
    
Starch, 
modified 
starches and 
manioc based sago 07.07.04 
(G/SG/N/6/IND/16) 
  16.02.2005 
(G/SAG/N/8/IND/14) 
Indonesia 
    
Ceramic 
tableware 19.10.04 
(G/SG/N/6/IDN/1)   04.01.06 
Specific duty (G/SG/N/10/IDN/1) 
Jordan 
    
Insecticides 16.01.05 
(G/SG/N/6/JOR/10) 
  16.10.05 
Tariff increase 
(G/SG/N/10/JOR/5 
+ Suppl.1) 
                                                      
14  Measures the duration of which (as stipulated in the notification) have passed are deleted from this 
table.     
15  Only those provisional measures that are in force as of 23 October 2007 are included in this table. 
16  This notification was submitted after the issuance of the airgram for the autumn 2007 meeting, and 
will be discussed at the spring 2008 meeting. 
17  India stated at the meeting of 24 October 2007 that the investigations notified in documents 
G/SG/N/6/IND/11, G/SG/N/6/IND/13 and G/SG/N/6/IND/ 15 were terminated without measures. Accordingly, 
these items have been removed from this table.  G/L/832 
Page 10  
 
  Member & 
Investigation Initiation date Effective date of provisional 
measure, if any 15  Effective date and type 
of definitive measure, 
if any 
Footwear 01/08/2006 
(G/SG/N/6/JOR/11)  19.02.07 
specific duty 
(G/SG/N/10/JOR/6/ 
Suppl.1) 
Moldova 
    
Sugar 21.05.03 
(G/SG/N/6/MDA/1)  01.01.04 
Tariff increase 
(G/SG/N/10/MDA/1) 
 
Morocco 
    
Ceramic tiles 24.01.05 
(G/SG/N/6/MAR/3) 
  September 2005 
Specific duty 
(G/SG/N/10/MAR/2/ Suppl.1)  
Panama 
    
Printed film in 
rolls 11/09/2006 
(G/SG/N/6/PAN/1)  10.10.2007  
(G/SG/N/10/PAN/1/ Suppl.1)
18 
Philippines 
    
Ceramic floor 
tiles 28.05.01 
(G/SG/N/6/PHL/2)  11.04.02 
Tariff surcharge 
(G/SG/N/10/PHL/1) 
 
Float glass 21/06/06 
(G/SG/N/6/PHL/3/Suppl.1)19  06/11/2006 
(G/SG/N/14/PHL/2) 
Figured glass 21/06/06 
(G/SG/N/6/PHL/4/Suppl.1)20  06/11/2006 
(G/SG/N/14/PHL/3) 
Glass mirrors 21/06/06 
(G/SG/N/6/PHL/5/Suppl.1)21  06/11/2006 
 (G/SG/N/14/PHL/4) 
South Africa     
Lysine 11/05/07 
(G/SG/N/6/ZAF/1) 11/05/07 
(G/SG/N/8/ZAF/1) [Mid-November of 
2007?] 22 
ad valorem  duty 
(G/SG/N/10/ZAF/1) 
Tunisia 
    
Bottles & other 
containers of glass 16/06/2006 
(G/SG/N/6/TUN/1)    
Taps, cocks & 
valves etc 16/06/2006 
(G/SG/N/6/TUN/2)   
                                                      
18 This notification was submitted after the issuance of the airgram for the au tumn 2007 meeting, and 
will be discussed at the spring 2008 meeting. 
19 This is a notification of the initiation of a review of an existing measure.  
20 This is a notification of the initiation of a review of an existing measure. 
21 This is a notification of the initiation of a review of an existing measure. 
22 This measure is still not in force.  G/L/832 
 Page 11 
 
 
  Member & 
Investigation Initiation date Effective date of provisional 
measure, if any 15  Effective date and type 
of definitive measure, 
if any 
Turkey 
    
Active earth 
and clays 
 17.07.04 
(G/SG/N/6/TUR/2) 
  08.07.05 
Quantitative restriction 
(G/SG/N/10/TUR/1 & 
Corr.1) 
Certain voltmeters and 
ammeters 
 17.07.04 
(G/SG/N/6/TUR/5) 
  12.08.05 
Quantitative restriction 
(G/SG/N/10/TUR/2) 
Footwear 05.01.2006 
(G/SG/N/6/TUR/6)  10.08.2006 
fixed duty 
(G/SG/N/10/TUR/6) 
Salt 05.01.2006 
(G/SG/N/6/TUR/7)   10.08.2006 
variable duty (G/SG/N/10/TUR/5) 
Vacuum 
cleaners 05.01.2006 
(G/SG/N/6/TUR/8)  10.08.2006 
variable duty 
(G/SG/N/10/TUR/3) 
Steam smoothing irons 05.01.2006 
(G/SG/N/6/TUR/9)  10.08.2006 
specific duty 
(G/SG/N/10/TUR/4) 
Motorcycles 15/08/2006 
(G/SG/N/6/TUR/10)   02/03/07 
specific duty 
(G/SG/N/10/TUR/7) 
Frames and 
mountings for spectacles 11/02/07 
(G/SG/N/6/TUR/11)   
Venezuela 
    
Tyres 08.03.00 
(G/SG/N/6/VEN/3)   N/A 
Paper 16.10.01 
(G/SG/N/6/VEN/4) 
  N/A 
Footwear 23.09.02 
(G/SG/N/6/VEN/6) 
  N/A 
 
__________