On 05 August 2026, the United Kingdom (UK) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated, on the same day, a safeguard investigation on imports of certain polyethene terephthalate (PET), classifiable in tariff subheadings 3907.61 and 3907.69, on which comment is due by 19 August 2026.
Details of the Safeguard Investigation, lodged by Alek Polyester UK LTD, read:
Pursuant to Article 12.1(a) of the Agreement on Safeguards, the UK notifies the initiation of a safeguard investigation by the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), the UK’s competent authority, relating to PET.
The investigation will consider whether it would be appropriate to apply a safeguard measure on the imports of PET into the UK.
1. Specify the date when the investigation was initiated
The TRA initiated the investigation on 05 August 2026.
Details of the investigation and a copy of the notice of initiation can be found on the Trade Remedies Service case file: https://public-file.trade-remedies.service.gov.uk/case/sg0094#publicFil….
2. Provide the precise description of the product(s) involved
The goods subject to investigation are:
Poly(ethylene Terephthalate) resin, whether virgin-produced poly(ethylene terephthalate) (vPET) having a viscosity number of 74 ml/g or higher or recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET) of the same viscosity range.
The goods concerned are subject to the following tariff subheadings 3907.61 and 3907.69.
A copy of the notice of initiation has also been submitted electronically and is available to government representatives. To consult it, please get in touch with Anne Richards (anne.richards@wto.org).
3. Provide the reasons for the initiation of the investigation:
(i) Was the investigation initiated pursuant to a petition from the domestic industry?
The TRA is initiating this investigation after receiving an application from ALPEK Polyester Limited (the Applicant), alleging that the goods concerned have been imported into the UK in increased quantities, which has caused, and is causing, serious injury to UK PET producers.
(ii) Evidence on the basis of which the investigation was initiated.
Increased import quantities:
The applicant provided evidence to the TRA that there had been clear and significant increases in import volumes of the goods concerned to the UK. The TRA has reviewed trade data at a 6-digit commodity code level, which appears to support this claim.
The applicant also gave domestic production and sales data, from 2021 to 2025, to the TRA. The data demonstrated a significant increase in the quantity of imports of the goods concerned relative to total UK domestic production.
Significant increase and unforeseen developments:
The applicant supplied evidence to the TRA that the increase in quantities of imports was significant, and the increase in imports of the goods concerned was a result of unforeseen developments, citing several factors including but not limited to:
- Russia’s war in Ukraine;
- Accelerated increases in excess global PET capacity;
- Fundamental changes to the PET resin market in Asia.
The TRA reviewed UK customs trade data from 2021 to 2025, which appeared to support the applicant’s allegations of a significant increase in the rate and volume of imports of the goods concerned.
Serious injury:
The applicant provided evidence that the increase in the quantity of imports of the goods concerned has caused, and is causing, serious injury to UK producers. The applicant has supplied data which indicates the following:
- The UK market has been impacted by a significant increase in the quantity of imports of the goods concerned, and this is reflected in the changing market share held by overseas exporters;
- Negative changes to the UK producers’ economic circumstances, including:
- Decline in domestic sales;
- Decline in productivity;
- Decline in production;
- Reduction in capacity utilisation;
- Deterioration in financial performance, including prices and profitability; and
- Decline in employment levels.
- The applicant has also claimed that the increased quantities of imports are threatening to cause serious injury, through the effect of increased global PET capacity.
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.
The notice is accessible at:
https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/SG/N6GBR2.pdf&Open=True
The Case File - Public File is accessible at:
https://public-file.trade-remedies.service.gov.uk/case/sg0094#publicFiles