safeguard

Safeguard is a term used to describe a measure, device, or action intended to protect people, property, or information from harm or loss. As a noun, it denotes a precaution or protection; as a verb, to safeguard means to protect something from danger or preserve its integrity. The word derives from the Old French sauvegarder, meaning to save or preserve.

In risk management and safety engineering, safeguards include physical protections (such as guards or interlocks), procedural controls (checklists, approval workflows), and technical measures (encryption, access controls, backups). They may also encompass legal or policy protections, such as privacy notices or compliance requirements. The purpose of safeguards is to prevent accidents, reduce the impact of incidents, and maintain system reliability and security.

In international trade law, safeguards are temporary measures invoked when a domestic industry experiences serious injury due to a surge in imports. Governments conduct investigations and, if warranted, may impose safeguards such as tariffs or quotas for a defined period, subject to procedural rules and periodic reviews. The aim is to provide temporary relief to adjust while still supporting the functioning of multilateral trade.

Safeguard also appears as a brand name for personal care products, notably a line of soap marketed in various regions. In general use, the term remains a broad concept for any precaution or mechanism designed to ensure safety and resilience across different contexts.