On December 23, 2013, the International Trade Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "ITC") of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) made a determination that provisional safeguard measures on the imports of High Density Polyethylene(HDPE) and Linear Low Density Polyethylene(LLDPE) not be applied.
In its preliminary investigation under Article 16bis of the Rules for Handling Import Relief Cases (hereinafter referred to as the Rules), the ITC determined that there is no clear evidence that increased imports have caused or are threatening to cause serious injury to the domestic industries producing like products or directly competitive products. Likewise, there is no clear evidence that the situation is critical in which delay to take measures would cause injury which would be difficult to remedy.
The ITC made the aforementioned determination on the ground that the preliminary evidence for the existence of injury of domestic industries is not sufficient to meet the requirements in Article 2 of the Rules after evaluating all relevant factors having a bearing on the situation of the domestic industry. Besides, the rate of the increase in imports of the product concerned in absolute and relative terms has been slow down and the overall economic factors of the domestic industries have stopped worsening in the first three quarters of 2013, making the evidence for critical situation is not strong enough to meet the requirements in Article 16bis of the Rules.
Pursuant to Article 18 of the Rules, the ITC shall proceed with the investigation and make a decision as to whether the industries have been injured within 120 days from the day after the petitioner is notified of the initiation of the investigation by the MOEA, that is, February 17, 2014. If necessary, the time limit may be extended by 60 days to April 16, 2014. In case of an affirmative decision that the industries have 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.
The investigation was initiated based on a petition by Taiwan Synthetic Resins Manufacturers Association on behalf of the domestic industry for applying safeguard measures on imports of HDPE and LLDPE. The MOEA determined to initiate the investigation and make the public notice of initiation in the Government Gazette on October 18, 2013. The ITC will keep updating the investigation proceeding, such as the date of public hearing, at its website: http://www.moeaitc.gov.tw/itcweb/IC/wFrmIcOngoingEn.aspx?programid=574
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