(1) The Authorised Officer shall, on receipt of a written application by or on behalf of the domestic producer of like goods or directly competitive goods, initiate an investigation to determine the existence of serious injury or threat of serious injury to the domestic industry, caused by the import of a goods in such increased quantities, absolute or relative to domestic production.

(2) The application referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be made in Form appended to these rules and be supported with-

(a) the evidence of -

(i) increased imports as a result of unforeseen development;

(ii) serious injury or threat of serious injury to the domestic industry; and

(iii) a causal link between imports and the alleged serious injury or threat of serious injury;

(b) a statement on the efforts being taken, or planned to be taken, or both, to make a positive adjustment to increase in competition due to imports; and

(c) a statement mentioning whether an application for the initiation of a safeguard action on the goods under investigation has also been submitted to the Director General of Safeguards, Department of Revenue.

(3) The Authorised Officer shall not initiate an investigation pursuant to an application made under sub-rule (1), unless, it examines the accuracy and adequacy of the evidence provided in the application and satisfies himself that there is sufficient evidence regarding,-

(a) increased imports;

(b) serious injury or threat of serious injury; and

(c) a causal link between increased imports and alleged serious injury or threat of serious Injury.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), the Authorised Officer may initiate an investigation suo moto, if, it is satisfied with the information received from any source that sufficient evidence exists as referred to in clause (a), clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-rule (3).