On 20 July the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) published draft guidelines and conditions pertaining to a safeguard (fair trade remedy) application in terms of Article 34 (General Bilateral Safeguards) of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the 28 member states of the European Union (EU) and the 15 member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Article 34 of the EPA provides for the initiation of a safeguard which serves to remedy or prevent serious injury or disturbances. A safeguard takes the form of one or more of the following options: (a) suspension of further reduction in the customs duty; or (b) increase in the customs duty; or (c) a tariff quota.
Comment on Itac’s draft reference and procedural guide is due by 30 July.
