New Delhi, Jun 3 (KNN)  India has notified to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that it has launched an investigation that will establish whether safeguard duty should be imposed on import of ‘Sodium di-chromate.’
 
The investigation has been initiated by the Director General (Safeguards) inviting comments from the stakeholders.
 
A safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or is 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.
 
Sodium di-chromate dihydrate is an odourless orange crystalline product that dissolves readily in water. It is a hygroscopic material that readily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere.
 
It is used in preparing chromium based derivative; Screen printing and Photographic engraving; electroplating; pyrotechnics and explosives; pigment preparation like chrome oxide green, lead chromate etc; wood preservative for protection from termites and fungi; metal treating and corrosion inhibitor; oil well drilling as treating agents in drilling mud systems, etc.  (KNN/PC)