On July 17, 2013, a petition was filed with the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) by Taiwan Synthetic Resins Manufacturers Association on behalf of the domestic industry for applying safeguard measures on imports of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). The petition also alleges that critical circumstances exist with respect to the subject products and therefore requests that provisional relief be provided. On October 8, 2013, the International Trade Commission (ITC) of the MOEA, the investigating authority, determined that there is sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of an investigation pursuant to the Rules for Handling Import Relief Cases (hereinafter referred to the Rules).

To conduct the investigation, the ITC will organize an investigation team to proceed with the investigation, including reviewing the information provided by the petitioner and the interested parties, conducting on-site verification, and holding a public hearing.

Pursuant to Article 18 of the Rules, the ITC shall make a decision as to whether the industry has been injured within 120 days from the day after the petitioner is notified of the initiation of the investigation by the MOEA. If necessary, the time limit may be extended by 60 days. In case of an affirmative decision that the industry has been injured, the ITC shall, within 30 days from the date the decision is made, hold a hearing on the safeguard measures it intends to adopt, and thereafter submit to the MOEA a recommendation as to whether safeguard measures shall be adopted.

Before its final determination on the existence of the injury, if the ITC makes a preliminary determination under Article 16bis of the Rules that there is clear evidence that increased imports have caused or are threatening to cause serious injury to the domestic industry, the situation is critical, and that such delay would cause damage that would be difficult to repair, the ITC may submit to the MOEA a proposal for a provisional increase of the tariffs. The said proposal shall be made within 70 days from the notification of the initiation of the investigation by the MOEA.
The public notice of the initiation of an investigation will be published in the Government Gazette soon. A copy of the flowchart of the investigation procedure is enclosed.

Spokesperson of International Trade Commission:
Herbert C.H. Juan, Acting Executive Secretary
Telephone: 886-2-2506-6670 ext. 101
E-mail: chjuan@mail.moeaitc.gov.tw

Contact person: Ms. Chang
Telephone: 886-2-2506-6670 ext. 521
E-mail: pfchang@mail.moeaitc.gov.tw