Article 12 of the Saudi Trade Remedies Law
المادة 12 من نظام المعالجات التجارية في التجارة الدولية · الفصل الخامس: الشكاوى والتحقيقات والمراجعات
The article allows the domestic industry to file a complaint and interested parties to request reviews on the Department's forms, and sets the investigation period at 12 months, extendable to 18, and the review period at 12 months, extendable to 15.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- للصناعة المحلية -أو من ينوب عنها- التقدم بشكوى وفق نموذج تعده الإدارة لغرض إجراء التحقيقات.
2- لأي من الأطراف المعنية -أو من ينوب عنه- التقدم بطلبات المراجعة وفق نماذج تعدها الإدارة بحسب نوع المراجعة.
3- تقدم طلبات الشكاوى والمراجعات وتجرى التحقيقات والمراجعات وفقًا لأحكام النظام، وتحدد اللائحة ما يلزم من الأحكام لتنفيذ مقتضى هذه الفقرة.
4- لا تتجاوز فترة إجراء التحقيقات (اثني عشر) شهراً تبدأ من تاريخ إعلان بدء التحقيق. وللمحافظ -عند الحاجة- تمديد فترة إجراء التحقيق لفترة أو فترات إضافية لا تتجاوز في مجموعها (ثمانية عشر) شهراً من تاريخ إعلان بدء التحقيق.
5- عند التقرير بفرض تدابير وقائية مؤقتة، يجب ألا تتجاوز فترة إجراء التحقيق فترة فرض التدابير الوقائية المؤقتة.
6- لا تتجاوز فترة إجراء المراجعات (اثني عشر) شهراً تبدأ من تاريخ إعلان بدء المراجعة، وللمحافظ -بحسب الحاجة وفيما عدا مراجعة المصدّر الجديد- تمديد فترة إجراء المراجعة لفترة أو فترات إضافية لا تتجاوز في مجموعها (خمسة عشر) شهراً من تاريخ إعلان بدء المراجعة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 12 explained in plain English
This article regulates how proceedings begin and their durations:
- Complaint: the domestic industry, or whoever acts on its behalf, may file a complaint on a form prepared by the Department for investigations to be conducted. Under Article 1, the domestic industry is all producers of the like product in the Kingdom, or those whose output represents a significant proportion of domestic production.
- Review requests: any interested party, or whoever acts on its behalf, may submit review requests on forms prepared by the Department according to the type of review.
- Procedures: complaints and requests are submitted, and investigations and reviews are conducted, in accordance with the Law, and the Implementing Regulations set the necessary provisions.
- Investigation period: it may not exceed 12 months from the date its start is announced, and the Governor may, when needed, extend it to a total not exceeding 18 months from the date of the announcement.
- With provisional safeguards: the investigation period must not exceed the period for which provisional safeguards are imposed.
- Review period: it may not exceed 12 months from the announcement of its start, and the Governor may extend it, except for a new exporter review, to a total not exceeding 15 months.
Paragraph 5 is linked to Article 11, which sets the period of provisional safeguards at no more than 200 days. It is followed by Article 13, which sets out the steps the Authority takes when circumvention of measures is established. Anyone wishing to file a complaint or a review request may consult a lawyer specialized in international matters and foreign investment.
Practical example
A group of Saudi ceramics manufacturers representing a significant proportion of domestic production notices a flow of low-priced imports. They can file a complaint on the form prepared by the Authority's Department. If an investigation begins, it may not last more than 12 months from the announcement of its start, and the Governor may extend it to 18 months.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 12 of the Saudi Trade Remedies Law
Who may file a dumping complaint?
The domestic industry or whoever acts on its behalf, on a form prepared by the Department at the Authority.
How long does a dumping investigation last?
No more than 12 months from the date its start is announced, and the Governor may extend it to a total not exceeding 18 months.
Can a new exporter review be extended?
No. The Governor's power to extend a review to 15 months does not apply to a new exporter review.
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The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.