·
The
United Kingdom
has notified the WTO
Committee on Safeguards of the initiation of a safeguard investigation
into imports of Poly(ethylene Terephthalate) (PET) resin
under Article 12.1(a) of
the WTO Agreement on Safeguards.
·
The
investigation was initiated
on 5 August 2026 by the UK
Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) to determine whether safeguard
measures on PET imports are warranted.
·
Products
covered:
o Virgin PET (vPET) resin with a viscosity number of 74 ml/g or higher.
o Recycled PET (rPET) resin within the same viscosity range.
o Commodity Codes: 3907 61 00 and 3907 69 00.
·
The
investigation was launched following an application by ALPEK Polyester Limited,
which alleged that increased PET imports have caused and continue to cause serious injury to UK
producers.
·
Evidence
submitted by the applicant indicated:
o Significant growth in PET
import volumes during 2021–2025.
o Imports increased relative
to UK domestic production.
o UK customs trade data
reviewed by the TRA appeared to support these claims.
·
The
applicant attributed the import surge to unforeseen
developments, including:
o Russia's war in Ukraine.
o Rapid expansion of excess
global PET production capacity.
o Fundamental changes in the
Asian PET resin market.
·
The
alleged serious injury
to UK producers includes:
o Declining domestic sales.
o Lower productivity and
production.
o Reduced capacity
utilisation.
o Deteriorating prices and
profitability.
o Falling employment levels.
o Threat of further injury due
to continued growth in global PET capacity.
·
Interested
parties may register and
submit comments through the UK Trade Remedies Service by 19 August 2026 (23:59 UK time)
and may request a hearing.
United Kingdom
Launches Safeguard Investigation on Polyethylene Terephthalate
On 5 August 2026, the United Kingdom notified the WTO's Committee
on Safeguards that it had initiated, on the same day, a safeguard investigation
on imports of certain polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
In the notification, the United Kingdom indicated, among other
things, as follows:
"4. Provide a point of contact for the investigation
and identify the preferred means for corresponding
The TRA is responsible for conducting the investigation. Please
direct correspondence to SG0094@traderemedies.gov.uk.
5. Provide the deadlines and procedures for importers, exporters
and other interested parties to present evidence and their views, including (i)
deadlines and procedures for Members and exporters to identify themselves as interested
parties, if so required, to participate in the proceeding, and (ii) the date of
an intended public hearing as provided for in Article 3.1
Anyone interested in taking part in the review can register
their interest and provide comments through the Trade Remedies Service by 23:59
UK time on 19 August 2026.
Interested parties can request a hearing using the Trade Remedies
Service.
The UK encourages Members to make the details of this investigation
including deadlines for participation, known to their exporters that may have an
interest."
What is a safeguard
investigation?
A safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased
imports of a product are causing, or are threatening to cause, serious injury to
a domestic industry.
During a safeguard investigation, importers, exporters and
other interested parties may present evidence and views and respond to the presentations
of other parties.
A WTO member may take a safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports
of a product temporarily) only if the increased imports of the product are found
to be causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury.