Madagascar Opens Safeguard Investigation into Self-Adhesive Labels and Printed Packaging Imports
Madagascar has officially launched a safeguard investigation into imports of self-adhesive labels, packaging materials, and certain other printed products, notifying the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Safeguards of the move.
The investigation, initiated earlier this month, covers printed items made from paper, cardboard, plastics, textiles, and other similar materials. It aims to determine whether rising imports are causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to Madagascar’s domestic manufacturing industry.
Under WTO safeguard rules, such investigations assess whether a surge in imports has adversely affected local producers. During the process, importers, exporters, manufacturers, and other interested parties are entitled to submit evidence, present their views, and respond to arguments made by other participants.
A safeguard measure—such as temporarily restricting imports—can only be imposed if the investigation concludes that increased imports are causing or are likely to cause serious injury to the domestic industry.
Madagascar’s Autorité Nationale chargée des Mesures Correctives Commerciales (ANMCC) will announce the detailed procedures and deadlines for stakeholders to participate in the investigation. Any individual or company with a legitimate interest in the case must register with the ANMCC within 30 days of the investigation’s launch, making September 12, 2026, the deadline to be recognised as an interested party.
The WTO also noted that public hearings may be held either at the initiative of the investigating authority or upon request, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to present evidence, challenge submissions from other parties, and defend their commercial interests.
