India initiates Safeguards Investigations on Saturated Fatty Alcohols
INDIA has initiated Safeguards Investigations on Saturated Fatty Alcohols as per a communication circulated by the WTO on 20.02.2014.
The Product under Consideration (PUC) is "Saturated Fatty Alcohols with carbon chain length of C8, C10, C12, C14, C16 and C18 including single blends and unblended (Not including branched isomers) which includes blends a combination of carbon chain lengths C12-C14, C12-C16, C12- C18 and C14-C16 (commonly categorized as C12-C14)" and is classified under Customs sub- heading No.38237010, 38237020, 38237040, 38237090 and 29051700 of the Customs Tariff Act 1975.
REASONS FOR INITIATION OF INVESTIGATION:
The investigation was initiated following the examination of the safeguard petition of the domestic industry (DI) alleging serious injury and threat thereof caused by increased import of the PUC into India. Relevant factors having significant bearing on the present deteriorating domestic industry as claimed by DI, inter-alia, are:
1. The import of subject product has shown an increasing trend in absolute terms as well as the relative terms;
2. Share of domestic industry in domestic consumption and domestic demand has fallen significantly;
3. Though sale of the domestic industry increased in 2013-14 (annualised) as compared to the preceding year 2012-13, it has declined significantly in comparison to 2010-11;
4. Profitability of the domestic industry has steeply deteriorated, leading to financial losses.
5. The DI's petition has been examined and it has been found that prima facie increased imports of PUC have caused or threatening to cause serious injury to the domestic producers of PUC. Accordingly, it has been decided to initiate an investigation.