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Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm Has Achieved an Extension of Ukrainian Safeguard Import Duties in Respect of Polyurethane Foam for up to 3 Years

News date: 27 June 2019

The team of International Trade Practice of Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm led by Partner Olena Omelchenko has successfully protected the interests of INTERFOM group of companies – one of the leading producers of polyurethane foam under the procedure for revising the safeguard measures in respect of flexible cellular slabs, bricks and sheets made of polyurethane foam irrespective of their countries of origin.

On 26 June 2019 the Inter-departmental Commission on International Trade of Ukraine at its panel session made a decision to extend the duration of the safeguard measures up to 3 years. In addition, the authorities established the time schedule for liberalization of measures taken. Thus, during the first year period the safeguard duty to be set at 11,22 %, for the second year period it will be reduced to 10,66%, and for the last year period it will be equal to 10,13%.

“The extension of application of safeguard measures on the result of the revision is a rare case in Ukrainian practice” – said Olena Omelchenko, Partner and Head of International Trade Practice at Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm – “This decision will help to protect domestic producers from increasing imports, have a positive impact on the recovery process of the Ukrainian economy on polyurethane foam industry and ensure fair competition on the domestic market. A well-considered liberalization program demonstrates the compliance of the Commission’s decision with the highest international standards.”

In the structure of imports of products into Ukraine Hungary holds the leading position at 32.9%, Poland holds at 23.6%, Romania – 11.7%, Germany – 16.2%, imports from other countries make up at 15.6%.

The decision to revise the safeguard measures was taken by the Commission on the basis of the consideration of the application of INTERFOM LLC, INTERFOM-DNIPRO LLC, INTERFOM-ZAKHID LLC and INTERFOM-M LLC.

The INTERFOM group of companies is a leading producer of flexible polyurethane foam (foam rubber) in Ukraine. It has been operating on the market since 1997. The group consists of four production sites and its own trading structure. The products of the group are sold under the brand name Highfoam.