The TRA has initiated a new safeguard investigation into imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The Trade Remedies Authority has today (5 August 2026) initiated a new safeguard investigation into imports to the UK of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
This investigation is the first new safeguard case that the TRA has opened since it was established following EU exit in 2021. It is being carried out in response to an application from Alpek Polyester UK, a producer of polyester products based in Redcar. The TRA will assess whether PET is being imported into the UK in such increased quantities that serious injury is being caused to the UK's domestic production.
PET is a type of plastic that is used to produce beverage bottles, make packaging for food products, and in textiles like clothing fabrics. In 2025, total imports of PET were worth over £300 million.
A safeguard measure is an emergency and temporary action responding to increased imports that cause serious injury to the importing country's domestic industry. If imposed, it would apply to all imports globally (with some exceptions, for instance, for certain developing countries) and may require an additional duty to be paid.
Interested parties that may be affected by this investigation are encouraged to register their interest to contribute through the TRA's online case platform (Trade Remedies Service) by 19 August 2026, to ensure that the TRA can consider all relevant data from UK industry. Upstream and downstream businesses are welcome to participate by completing a business survey: PET Business Survey .
You can follow all new case developments on the TRA's public file .
Background information:
- The Trade Remedies Authority is the independent UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports.
- The TRA is an arm's length body of the Department for Business, Science, Innovation and Trade.
- The period of investigation for this investigation is 01 January 2021 to 31 December 2025.
- Safeguard measures are one of three types of trade remedies - along with anti-dumping measures which counter goods being 'dumped' into countries at prices below their normal price in their country of origin and countervailing measures against countervailable subsidies - that are allowed under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. Further information on safeguard measures and how the TRA assesses conditions for their imposition can be found on the TRA's investigations process guidance .
