On June 24, 2014, Indonesia’s Safeguards Committee (KPPI) has notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it has initiated on June 20, 2014 a safeguard investigation on coated paper and paperboard.

Earlier in May 26, 2014 KPPI has received an application from PT. Pabrik Kertas Tjiwi Kimia Tbk and PT. Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Mills.

The goods that are currently under the safeguards investigation are paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin (China clay) or other inorganic substances, with or without a binder, and with no other coating, whether or not surface ?coloured, surface ? decorated or printed, in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any size, of a kind used for writing, printing or other graphic purposes, not containing fibres obtained by a mechanical or chemi-mechanical process or of which not more than 10% by weight of the total fibre content consists of such fibres, not including banknotes paper.

The respective HS Codes are 4810.13.11.00, 4810.13.19.00, 4810.13.91.90, 4810.13.99.90, 4810.14.11.00, 4810.14.19.00, 4810.14.91.90, 4810.14.99.90, 4810.19.11.00, 4810.19.19.90, 4810.19.91.90 and 4810.19.99.90.

KPPI have concluded that there was sufficient evidence to initiate a safeguard investigation. The relevant factors that the KPPI took into consideration include: increase in the volume of imports of the subject goods under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause serious injury to the applicant, serious injury or threat of serious injury evident in the negative development of production, share of domestic market, capacity utilization, profits and losses, level of employment and inventory.

Lastly, KPPI have indicated that “those having substantial interests and wishing to be considered as interested parties in this investigation should submit a written request within a period of 15 working days in Indonesia from the date of the initiation”.