Safeguard measure
Temporary import restriction applied in the event of a sudden increase in imports threatening a domestic industry.
Safeguard measure
A safeguard measure is a temporary import restriction (additional duties or quotas) imposed when a sudden and unanticipated increase in imports causes or threatens to cause serious injury to a domestic industry.
Legal framework
Safeguard measures are authorized by Article XIX of the GATT and the WTO Agreement on Safeguards. In the EU, they are governed by Regulation (EU) 2015/478.
Features
- Temporary: maximum initial duration of 4 years, extendable to 8 years
- Non-discriminatory: apply to all supplier countries (unlike anti-dumping duties targeted by country)
- Compensation: affected countries can request commercial compensation
Recent example
The EU has applied safeguard measures on steel imports since 2018, in the form of tariff quotas (quota + duty of 25% beyond).
Distinction
Safeguards are distinguished from anti-dumping and countervailing duties by their “emergency” nature: they do not require proof of an unfair practice, only a sudden increase and serious harm.