# Official Journal C 30/2023

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 30 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6627 January 2023 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 30

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6627 January 2023

---

| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2023/C 30/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10249 – DERICHEBOURG ENVIRONNEMENT / GROUPE ECORE HOLDING) (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2023/C 30/02 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10713 – RWE / NEWCO EEMSHAVEN) (
  1
  ) | 2 |
| 2023/C 30/03 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10952 – NBIM / PSPIB / CAPITAL PARK) (
  1
  ) | 3 |
| 2023/C 30/04 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10982 – STELLANTIS / HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY / JV) (
  1
  ) | 4 |
| 2023/C 30/05 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10905 – IRISH LIFE WELLBEING / CENTRIC HEALTH PRIMARY CARE / CAREPATH CONNECT) (
  1
  ) | 5 |
| 2023/C 30/06 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10983 – ALTAREA / CARREFOUR / SNC ALTACAR SARTROUVILLE / SNC ALTACAR NANTES) (
  1
  ) | 6 |

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2023/C 30/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10249 – DERICHEBOURG ENVIRONNEMENT / GROUPE ECORE HOLDING) (
  1
  )

1

1

2023/C 30/02

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10713 – RWE / NEWCO EEMSHAVEN) (
  1
  )

1

2

2023/C 30/03

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10952 – NBIM / PSPIB / CAPITAL PARK) (
  1
  )

1

3

2023/C 30/04

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10982 – STELLANTIS / HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY / JV) (
  1
  )

1

4

2023/C 30/05

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10905 – IRISH LIFE WELLBEING / CENTRIC HEALTH PRIMARY CARE / CAREPATH CONNECT) (
  1
  )

1

5

2023/C 30/06

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10983 – ALTAREA / CARREFOUR / SNC ALTACAR SARTROUVILLE / SNC ALTACAR NANTES) (
  1
  )

1

6

---

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2023/C 30/07 | Euro exchange rates – 26 January 2023 | 7 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2023/C 30/08 | Information to be provided pursuant to Article 5(2) – Establishment of a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC)
  (Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 ( OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 19 )) | 8 |
| 2023/C 30/09 | Notice from the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency on the public call for tenders for selection of gas supplier under the public service obligation, to be published pursuant to Articles 61 and 62 of the Gas Market Act (Official Gazette, No. 18/18 and 23/20) | 10 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2023/C 30/07

Euro exchange rates – 26 January 2023

7

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2023/C 30/08

Information to be provided pursuant to Article 5(2) – Establishment of a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC)
  (Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 ( OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 19 ))

(Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 ( OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 19 ))

8

2023/C 30/09

Notice from the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency on the public call for tenders for selection of gas supplier under the public service obligation, to be published pursuant to Articles 61 and 62 of the Gas Market Act (Official Gazette, No. 18/18 and 23/20)

10

---

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2023/C 30/10 | Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain cast iron articles originating in the People’s Republic of China | 11 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2023/C 30/11 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10841 – FIRMENICH INTERNATIONAL / KONINKLIJKE DSM) (
  1
  ) | 23 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2023/C 30/12 | Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 | 25 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

2023/C 30/10

Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain cast iron articles originating in the People’s Republic of China

11

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2023/C 30/11

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.10841 – FIRMENICH INTERNATIONAL / KONINKLIJKE DSM) (
  1
  )

1

23

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2023/C 30/12

Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

25

---

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance. |

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance.

1

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/1

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.10249 – DERICHEBOURG ENVIRONNEMENT / GROUPE ECORE HOLDING)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 30/01)

On 16 December 2021, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) in conjunction with Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in French language and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32021M10249. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32021M10249. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/2

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.10713 – RWE / NEWCO EEMSHAVEN)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 30/02)

On 21 December 2022, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10713. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10713. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/3

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.10952 – NBIM / PSPIB / CAPITAL PARK)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 30/03)

On 9 December 2022, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10952. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10952. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/4

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.10982 – STELLANTIS / HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY / JV)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 30/04)

On 16 January 2023, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32023M10982. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32023M10982. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/5

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.10905 – IRISH LIFE WELLBEING / CENTRIC HEALTH PRIMARY CARE / CAREPATH CONNECT)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 30/05)

On 9 December 2022, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10905. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32022M10905. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/6 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/6

---

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.10983 – ALTAREA / CARREFOUR / SNC ALTACAR SARTROUVILLE / SNC ALTACAR NANTES)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 30/06)

On 18 January 2023, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in French and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the ‘Competition policy’ website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32023M10983. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32023M10983. EUR-Lex is the online point of access to European Union law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/7

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

26 January 2023

(2023/C 30/07)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,0895 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 141,38 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4383 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,87945 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 11,1763 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,0002 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 156,50 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 10,7620 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 23,818 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 387,38 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,7195 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,8818 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 20,4961 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5308 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4568 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,5295 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6799 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,4292 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 342,51 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 18,6127 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,3893 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 16 298,97 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,6255 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 59,301 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | |
| THB | Thai baht | 35,687 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 5,5572 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 20,5275 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 88,8255 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,0895

JPY

Japanese yen

141,38

DKK

Danish krone

7,4383

GBP

Pound sterling

0,87945

SEK

Swedish krona

11,1763

CHF

Swiss franc

1,0002

ISK

Iceland króna

156,50

NOK

Norwegian krone

10,7620

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

23,818

HUF

Hungarian forint

387,38

PLN

Polish zloty

4,7195

RON

Romanian leu

4,8818

TRY

Turkish lira

20,4961

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5308

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4568

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,5295

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6799

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,4292

KRW

South Korean won

1 342,51

ZAR

South African rand

18,6127

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,3893

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

16 298,97

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,6255

PHP

Philippine peso

59,301

RUB

Russian rouble

THB

Thai baht

35,687

BRL

Brazilian real

5,5572

MXN

Mexican peso

20,5275

INR

Indian rupee

88,8255

---

(1)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

---

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/8

---

Information to be provided pursuant to Article 5(2)

Establishment of a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC)

(Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 19))

(2023/C 30/08)

I. 1)   Name, address and contact point:

Registered name: Európske zoskupenie územnej spolupráce Veľká Morava s ručením obmedzeným

Registered office:Starohájska 10, 917 01 Trnava, SR

Contact point: Július Fekiač (director)

I. 2)   Duration of the grouping:

Duration of the grouping: unlimited

Date of registration:30.11.2022

II.   OBJECTIVES

| — | development of the economic, social and territorial cohesion of its members in the framework of cross-border cooperation in the territory in which the grouping operates (i.e. the administrative area of the founding and acceding members of the grouping) |
| --- | --- |

—

development of the economic, social and territorial cohesion of its members in the framework of cross-border cooperation in the territory in which the grouping operates (i.e. the administrative area of the founding and acceding members of the grouping)

| — | strategic management of the regional development of the territory concerned |
| --- | --- |

—

strategic management of the regional development of the territory concerned

| — | development of cooperation between its members, in accordance with their competences, in particular in the following areas:






  1. | Infrastructure |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

development of cooperation between its members, in accordance with their competences, in particular in the following areas:

1.

Infrastructure

| 2. | Energy |
| --- | --- |

2.

Energy

| 3. | Information technology |
| --- | --- |

3.

Information technology

| 4. | Regional development |
| --- | --- |

4.

Regional development

| 5. | Tourism |
| --- | --- |

5.

Tourism

| 6. | Education |
| --- | --- |

6.

Education

| 7. | Culture and sport |
| --- | --- |

7.

Culture and sport

| 8. | Social sphere and healthcare |
| --- | --- |

8.

Social sphere and healthcare

| 9. | Development of small and medium-sized enterprises |
| --- | --- |

9.

Development of small and medium-sized enterprises

| 10. | Environmental protection and agriculture |
| --- | --- |

10.

Environmental protection and agriculture

| 11. | Rural development |
| --- | --- |

11.

Rural development

| 12. | Crisis management |
| --- | --- |

12.

Crisis management

| 13. | Cybersecurity and information security |
| --- | --- |

13.

Cybersecurity and information security

| 14. | Cross-border cooperation |
| --- | --- |

14.

Cross-border cooperation

| 15. | Transport |
| --- | --- |

15.

Transport

| 16. | Strengthening research, technological development and innovation. |
| --- | --- |

16.

Strengthening research, technological development and innovation.

III.   ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON NAME OF THE GROUPING

Name in English: EGTC Great Moravia with Limited Liability

IV.   MEMBERS

IV. 1)   Total number of members in the grouping: 2

IV. 2)   Nationalities of the members of the grouping: Czech and Slovak

IV. 3)   Member information

Official name: Trnavský samosprávny kraj

Postal address:Starohájska 10, 917 01 Trnava, SR

Internet address: www.trnava-vuc.sk

Type of member: Regional authority

Official name: Jihomoravský kraj

Postal address:Žerotínovo náměstí 449/3, 601 82 Brno, ČR

Internet address: www.jmk.cz

Type of member: Regional authority

---

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/10

---

Notice from the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency on the public call for tenders for selection of gas supplier under the public service obligation, to be published pursuant to Articles 61 and 62 of the Gas Market Act (‘Official Gazette’, No. 18/18 and 23/20)

(2023/C 30/09)

Public call for tender for selection of gas supplier under the public service obligation for the distribution area of the distribution system operator ZELINA-PLIN d.o.o. for gas distribution, Ulica Katarine Krizmanić 1, Sveti Ivan Zelina, has been published on April 25, 2022.

The accompanying documentation for the public call for tender for selection of gas supplier under the public service obligation for the distribution area of the distribution system operator ZELINA-PLIN d.o.o. for gas distribution, Ulica Katarine Krizmanić 1, Sveti Ivan Zelina, has been published on the official website of the Croatian Energy Regulatory Agency (www.hera.hr).

---

V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/11 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/11

---

Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of certain cast iron articles originating in the People’s Republic of China

(2023/C 30/10)

Following the publication of a Notice of impending expiry (1) of the anti-dumping measures in force on the imports of certain cast iron articles originating in the People’s Republic of China (‘the PRC’ or ‘the country concerned’), the European Commission (‘the Commission’) has received a request for review pursuant to Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union (2) (‘the basic Regulation’).

1.   Request for review

The request was submitted on 28 October 2022 by Eurofonte (‘the applicant’) on behalf of the Union industry of certain cast iron articles in the sense of Article 5(4) of the basic Regulation.

An open version of the request and the analysis of the degree of support by Union producers for the request are available in the file for inspection by interested parties. Section 5.6 of this Notice provides information about access to the file for interested parties.

2.   Product under review

The product subject to this review is certain articles of lamellar graphite cast iron (grey iron) or spheroidal graphite cast iron (also known as ductile cast iron), and parts thereof. These articles are of a kind used to:

| — | cover ground or sub-surface systems, and/or openings to ground or sub-surface systems, and also |
| --- | --- |

—

cover ground or sub-surface systems, and/or openings to ground or sub-surface systems, and also

| — | give access to ground or sub-surface systems and/or provide view to ground or sub-surface systems. |
| --- | --- |

—

give access to ground or sub-surface systems and/or provide view to ground or sub-surface systems.

The articles may be machined, coated, painted and/or fitted with other materials such as but not limited to concrete, paving slabs, or tiles (‘the product under review’).

The following product types are excluded from the definition of the product under review:

| — | channel gratings and cast tops subject to standard EN 1433, to be fitted as a component on channels in polymer, plastic, galvanised steel or concrete allowing surface water to flow into the channel, |
| --- | --- |

—

channel gratings and cast tops subject to standard EN 1433, to be fitted as a component on channels in polymer, plastic, galvanised steel or concrete allowing surface water to flow into the channel,

| — | floor drains, roof drains, cleanouts and covers for cleanouts, subject to standard EN 1253, |
| --- | --- |

—

floor drains, roof drains, cleanouts and covers for cleanouts, subject to standard EN 1253,

| — | step irons, lifting keys, and fire hydrants. |
| --- | --- |

—

step irons, lifting keys, and fire hydrants.

The product under review is currently falling under CN codes ex 7325 10 00 and ex 7325 99 10 (TARIC codes 7325100031 and 7325991060). The CN and TARIC codes are given for information only, without prejudice to a subsequent change in the tariff classification.

3.   Existing measures

The measures currently in force are a definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/140 (3), as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/261 (4).

4.   Grounds for the review

The request is based on the grounds that the expiry of the measures would be likely to result in continuation of dumping and recurrence of injury to the Union industry.

4.1.   
  Allegation of likelihood of continuation of dumping

The applicant claimed that it is not appropriate to use domestic prices and costs in the PRC, due to the existence of significant distortions within the meaning of point (b) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation.

To substantiate the allegations of significant distortions, the applicant relied on the information contained in the country report produced by the Commission services on 20 December 2017 describing the specific market circumstances in the PRC (5). In particular, the applicant referred to distortions as state presence in general and more specific affecting the steel sector and to chapters on raw materials, energy, capital and labour. In addition, the applicant relied on publicly available information, in particular the Outline of the People’s Republic of China 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives for 2035 and the announcements by the Chinese authorities ‘China raises export tariffs on steel products to push industrial upgrading’ and ‘China issues roadmap for high-quality development of iron and steel industry’. The applicant also relied on the following reports: ‘China overinvested in coal power: Here’s why’ issued by VOX EU Centre For Economic Policy Research (6), ‘CISA pushes tax changes to boost China steel scrap use’ issued by Argus (7), ‘China’s New Trade Tax Regime: A Shift in the steel landscape’ issued by BEROE (8), and ‘China’s five-year plan to slash Australian iron ore imports’ issued by Financial Review (9). Finally, the applicant also relied on the Commission’s findings in several recent anti-dumping investigations (10).

As a result, in view of Article 2(6a)(a) of the basic Regulation, the applicant’s allegation of continuation of dumping from the PRC is based on a comparison of a constructed normal value on the basis of costs of production and sale reflecting undistorted prices or benchmarks in an appropriate representative country with the export price (at ex-works level) of the product under review from the PRC when sold for export to the Union.

On this basis, the dumping margins calculated are significant for the PRC.

4.2.   
  Allegation of likelihood of recurrence of injury

The applicant alleges the likelihood of recurrence of injury from the country concerned.

To substantiate its claim the applicant put forward evidence to demonstrate that, should measures be allowed to lapse, the current import level of the product under review from the country concerned to the Union is likely to increase. According to the applicant, this is due to the existence of a substantial unused capacity in the country concerned and the attractiveness of the Union market in terms of size.

The applicant finally alleges that any substantial increase of imports at dumped prices from the country concerned would likely lead to a recurrence of injury to the Union industry should measures be allowed to lapse.

5.   Procedure

Having determined, after consulting the Committee established by Article 15(1) of the basic Regulation, that sufficient evidence of a likelihood of dumping (11) and injury exists to justify the initiation of an expiry review, the Commission hereby initiates a review in accordance with Article 11(2) of the basic Regulation.

The expiry review will determine whether the expiry of the measures would be likely to lead to a continuation or recurrence of dumping of the product under review originating in the country concerned and a continuation or recurrence of injury to the Union industry.

The Commission also draws the attention of the parties to the published Notice (12) on the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak on anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations that may be applicable to this proceeding.

5.1.   
  Review investigation period and period considered

The investigation of a continuation or recurrence of dumping will cover the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 (‘the review investigation period’). The examination of trends relevant for the assessment of the likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of injury will cover the period from 1 January 2019 to the end of the review investigation period (‘the period considered’).

5.2.   
  Comments on the request and the initiation of the investigation

All interested parties wishing to comment on the request (including matters pertaining to recurrence of injury and causality) or any aspects regarding the initiation of the investigation (including the degree of support for the request) must do so within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union (13).

Any request for a hearing with regard to the initiation of the investigation must be submitted within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

5.3.   
  Procedure for the determination of a likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping

In an expiry review, the Commission examines exports that were made to the Union in the review investigation period and, irrespective of exports to the Union, considers whether the situation of the companies producing and selling the product under review in the country concerned is such that exports at dumped prices to the Union would be likely to continue or recur if measures expire.

Therefore, all producers (14) of the product under review from the country concerned, including those that did not cooperate in the investigation(s) leading to the measures in force, are invited to participate in the Commission investigation.

5.3.1.   Investigating producers in the country concerned

In view of the potentially large number of producers in the country concerned involved in this expiry review and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission may limit the producers to be investigated to a reasonable number by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling will be carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.

In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling is necessary, and if so, to select a sample, all producers, or representatives acting on their behalf, including the ones who did not cooperate in the investigation leading to the measures subject to the present review, are hereby requested to provide the Commission with information on their companies within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice. This information must be provided via TRON.tdi at the following address: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/tdi/form/R788_SAMPLING_FORM_FOR_EXPORTING_PRODUCER. Tron access information can be found in sections 5.6 and 5.9 below.

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for the selection of the sample of producers, the Commission will also contact the authorities of the country concerned and may contact any known associations of producers in the country concerned.

If a sample is necessary, the producers will be selected based on the largest representative volume of production, sales or exports which can reasonably be investigated within the time available. All known producers in the country concerned, the authorities of the country concerned and associations of producers will be notified by the Commission, via the authorities of the country concerned if appropriate, of the companies selected to be in the sample.

Once the Commission has received the necessary information to select a sample of producers, it will inform the parties concerned of its decision whether they are included in the sample. The sampled producers will have to submit a completed questionnaire within 30 days from the date of notification of the decision of their inclusion in the sample, unless otherwise specified.

The Commission will add a note to the file for inspection by interested parties reflecting the sample selection. Any comment on the sample selection must be received within 3 days of the date of notification of the sample decision.

A copy of the questionnaire for producers in the country concerned is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/investigations/case-view?caseId=2648.

Without prejudice to the possible application of Article 18 of the basic Regulation, companies that have agreed to their possible inclusion in the sample but are not selected to be in the sample will be considered to be cooperating.

5.3.2.   Additional procedure with regard to the PRC that is subject to significant distortions

Subject to the provisions of this Notice, all interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, submit information and provide supporting evidence regarding the application of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation. Unless otherwise specified, this information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

In particular, the Commission invites all interested parties to make their views known on the inputs and the Harmonised System (HS) codes provided in the request, propose (an) appropriate representative country(ies) and provide the identity of producers of the product under review in those countries. This information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

Pursuant to point (e) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation, the Commission will, shortly after initiation, by means of a note to the file for inspection by interested parties, inform parties to the investigation about the relevant sources that it intends to use for the purpose of determining normal value in the PRC pursuant to Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation. This will cover all sources, including the selection of an appropriate representative third country where appropriate. Parties to the investigation shall be given 10 days from the date at which that note is added to that file to submit comments.

According to the information available to the Commission, a possible representative third country for the PRC in this case is Türkiye. With the aim of finally selecting the appropriate representative third country, the Commission will examine whether there are countries with a similar level of economic development as the PRC, in which there is production and sales of the product under review and in which relevant data are readily available. Where there is more than one such country, preference will be given, where appropriate, to countries with an adequate level of social and environmental protection.

With regard to the relevant sources, the Commission invites all producers in the PRC to provide information on the materials (raw and processed) and energy used in the production of the product under review within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice. This information must be provided via TRON.tdi at the following address: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/tdi/form/R788_INFO_ON_INPUTS_FOR_EXPORTING_PRODUCER_FORM. Tron access information can be found in sections 5.6 and 5.9 below.

Furthermore, any submissions of factual information to value costs and prices pursuant to point (a) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation must be filed within 65 days of the date of publication of this Notice. Such factual information should be taken exclusively from publicly available sources.

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation with regard to the alleged significant distortions within the meaning of point (b) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation, the Commission will also make available a questionnaire to the Government of the PRC.

5.3.3.   Investigating unrelated importers (15) (16)

Unrelated importers of the product under review from the country concerned to the Union, including those that did not cooperate in the investigation leading to the measures in force, are invited to participate in this investigation.

In view of the potentially large number of unrelated importers involved in this expiry review and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission may limit to a reasonable number the unrelated importers that will be investigated by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling will be carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.

In order to enable the Commission to decide whether sampling is necessary and, if so, to select a sample, all unrelated importers, or representatives acting on their behalf, including the ones who did not cooperate in the investigation leading to the measures subject to the present review, are hereby requested to make themselves known to the Commission. These parties must do so within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice by providing the Commission with the information on their company(ies) requested in the Annex to this Notice.

In order to obtain information it deems necessary for the selection of the sample of unrelated importers, the Commission may also contact any known associations of importers.

If a sample is necessary, the importers may be selected based on the largest representative volume of sales of the product under review from the country concerned in the Union that can reasonably be investigated within the time available. All known unrelated importers and associations of importers will be notified by the Commission of the companies selected to be in the sample.

The Commission will also add a note to the file for inspection by interested parties reflecting the sample selection. Any comment on the sample selection must be received within 3 days of the date of notification of the sample decision.

In order to obtain the information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will make available questionnaires to the sampled unrelated importers. Those parties must submit a completed questionnaire within 30 days from the date of the notification of the sample selection, unless otherwise specified.

A copy of the questionnaire for unrelated importers is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/investigations/case-view?caseId=2648.

5.4.   
  Procedure for the determination of a likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of injury and investigating Union producers

In order to establish whether there is a likelihood of a continuation or recurrence of injury to the Union industry, the Commission invites Union producers of the product under review to participate in the investigation.

In view of the large number of Union producers involved in this expiry review and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission has decided to limit to a reasonable number the Union producers that will be investigated by selecting a sample (this process is also referred to as ‘sampling’). The sampling is carried out in accordance with Article 17 of the basic Regulation.

The Commission has provisionally selected a sample of Union producers. Details can be found in the file for inspection by interested parties.

Interested parties are hereby invited to comment on the provisional sample. In addition, other Union producers, or representatives acting on their behalf, including Union producers who did not cooperate in the investigation(s) leading to the measures in force, that consider that there are reasons why they should be included in the sample must contact the Commission within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice. All comments regarding the provisional sample must be received within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified.

The Commission will notify all known Union producers and/or associations of Union producers of the companies finally selected to be in the sample.

The sampled Union producers will have to submit a completed questionnaire within 30 days from the date of notification of the decision of their inclusion in the sample, unless otherwise specified.

A copy of the questionnaire for Union producers is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website (https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/investigations/case-view?caseId=2648).

5.5.   
  Procedure for the assessment of Union interest

Should the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury be confirmed, a decision will be reached, pursuant to Article 21 of the basic Regulation, as to whether maintaining the anti-dumping measures would not be against the Union interest.

Union producers, importers and their representative associations, users and their representative associations, trade unions and representative consumer organisations are invited to provide the Commission with information on the Union interest.

Information concerning the assessment of the Union interest must be provided within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified. This information may be provided either in a free format or by completing a questionnaire prepared by the Commission.

A copy of the questionnaires, including the questionnaire for users of the product under review, is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/investigations/case-view?caseId=2648. In any case, information submitted pursuant to Article 21 of the basic Regulation will only be taken into account if supported by factual evidence at the time of submission, which substantiates its validity.

5.6.   
  Interested parties

In order to participate in the investigation, interested parties, such as producers in the country concerned, Union producers, importers and their representative associations, users and their representative associations, trade unions and representative consumer organisations first have to demonstrate that there is an objective link between their activities and the product under review.

Producers in the country concerned, Union producers, importers and representative associations who made information available in accordance to the procedures described in sections 5.3.1, 5.3.3 and 5.4 will be considered as interested parties if there is an objective link between their activities and the product under review.

Other parties will only be able to participate in the investigation as interested party from the moment they make themselves known, and provided that there is an objective link between their activities and the product under review. Being considered as an interested party is without prejudice to the application of Article 18 of the basic Regulation.

Access to the file available for inspection for interested parties is made via Tron.tdi at the following address: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/TDI. Please follow the instructions on that page to get access (17).

5.7.   
  Other written submissions

Subject to the provisions of this Notice, all interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, submit information and provide supporting evidence. Unless otherwise specified, this information and supporting evidence must reach the Commission within 37 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

5.8.   
  Possibility to be heard by the Commission investigation services

All interested parties may request to be heard by the Commission investigation services. Any request to be heard must be made in writing and must specify the reasons for the request as well as a summary of what the interested party wishes to discuss during the hearing. The hearing will be limited to the issues set out by the interested parties in writing beforehand.

In principle, hearings will not be used to present factual information which is not yet on file. Nevertheless, in the interest of good administration and to enable Commission services to progress with the investigation, interested parties may be directed to provide new factual information after a hearing.

5.9.   
  Instructions for making written submissions and sending completed questionnaires and correspondence

Information submitted to the Commission for the purpose of trade defence investigations shall be free from copyrights. Interested parties, before submitting to the Commission information and/or data which is subject to third party copyrights, must request specific permission to the copyright holder explicitly allowing the Commission a) to use the information and data for the purpose of this trade defence proceeding and b) to provide the information and/or data to interested parties to this investigation in a form that allows them to exercise their rights of defence.

All written submissions, including the information requested in this Notice, completed questionnaires and correspondence provided by interested parties for which confidential treatment is requested shall be labelled ‘Sensitive’ (18). Parties submitting information in the course of this investigation are invited to reason their request for confidential treatment.

Parties providing ‘Sensitive’ information are required to furnish non-confidential summaries of it pursuant to Article 19(2) of the basic Regulation, which will be labelled ‘For inspection by interested parties’. These summaries must be sufficiently detailed to permit a reasonable understanding of the substance of the information submitted in confidence. If a party providing confidential information fails to show good cause for a confidential treatment request or does not furnish a non-confidential summary of it in the requested format and quality, the Commission may disregard such information unless it can be satisfactorily demonstrated from appropriate sources that the information is correct.

Interested parties are invited to make all submissions and requests via TRON.tdi (https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/TDI) including requests to be registered as interested parties, scanned powers of attorney and certification sheets. By using TRON.tdi or email, interested parties express their agreement with the rules applicable to electronic submissions contained in the document ‘CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN TRADE DEFENCE CASES’ published on the website of the Directorate-General for Trade: https://europa.eu/!7tHpY3. The interested parties must indicate their name, address, telephone and a valid email address and they should ensure that the provided email address is a functioning official business email which is checked on a daily basis. Once contact details are provided, the Commission will communicate with interested parties by TRON.tdi or email only, unless they explicitly request to receive all documents from the Commission by another means of communication or unless the nature of the document to be sent requires the use of a registered mail. For further rules and information concerning correspondence with the Commission including principles that apply to submissions via TRON.tdi and by email, interested parties should consult the communication instructions with interested parties referred to above.

Commission address for correspondence:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for Trade |
| Directorate G |
| Office: CHAR 04/039 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Trade

Directorate G

Office: CHAR 04/039

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

TRON.tdi: https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/tron/tdi

Email:

| — | TRADE-R788-CASTINGS-DUMPING@ec.europa.eu |
| --- | --- |

—

TRADE-R788-CASTINGS-DUMPING@ec.europa.eu

| — | TRADE-R788-CASTINGS-INJURY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- | --- |

—

TRADE-R788-CASTINGS-INJURY@ec.europa.eu

6.   Schedule of the investigation

The investigation shall normally be concluded within 12 months and in any event no later than 15 months from the date of the publication of this Notice, pursuant to Article 11(5) of the basic Regulation.

7.   Submission of information

As a rule, interested parties may only submit information in the timeframes specified in section 5 of this Notice.

In order to complete the investigation within the mandatory deadlines, the Commission will not accept submissions from interested parties after the deadline to provide comments on the final disclosure or, if applicable, after the deadline to provide comments on the additional final disclosure.

8.   Possibility to comment on other parties’ submissions

In order to guarantee the rights of defence, interested parties should have the possibility to comment on information submitted by other interested parties. When doing so, interested parties may only address issues raised in the other interested parties’ submissions and may not raise new issues.

Comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to the disclosure of the definitive findings should be submitted within 5 days from the deadline to comment on the definitive findings, unless otherwise specified. If there is an additional final disclosure, comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to this further disclosure should be made within 1 day from the deadline to comment on this further disclosure, unless otherwise specified.

The outlined timeframe is without prejudice to the Commission’s right to request additional information from interested parties in duly justified cases.

9.   Extension to time limits specified in this Notice

Any extension to the time limits provided for in this Notice should only be requested in exceptional circumstances and will only be granted if duly justified. In any event, any extensions to the deadline to reply to questionnaires will be limited normally to 3 days, and as a rule will not exceed 7 days. Regarding time limits for the submission of other information specified in the Notice of initiation, extensions will be limited to 3 days unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.

10.   Non-cooperation

In cases where any interested party refuses access to or does not provide the necessary information within the time limits, or significantly impedes the investigation, findings, affirmative or negative, may be made on the basis of facts available, in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation.

Where it is found that any interested party has supplied false or misleading information, the information may be disregarded and use may be made of facts available.

If an interested party does not cooperate or cooperates only partially and findings are therefore based on facts available in accordance with Article 18 of the basic Regulation, the result may be less favourable to that party than if it had cooperated.

Failure to give a computerised response shall not be deemed to constitute non-cooperation, provided that the interested party shows that presenting the response as requested would result in an unreasonable extra burden or unreasonable additional cost. The interested party should immediately contact the Commission.

11.   Hearing Officer

Interested parties may request the intervention of the Hearing Officer in trade proceedings. The Hearing Officer reviews requests for access to the file, disputes regarding the confidentiality of documents, requests for extension of time limits and any other request concerning the rights of defence of interested parties and third parties as may arise during the proceeding.

The Hearing Officer may organise hearings and mediate between the interested party/-ies and Commissions services to ensure that the interested parties’ rights of defence are being fully exercised. A request for a hearing with the Hearing Officer should be made in writing and should specify the reasons for the request. The Hearing Officer will examine the reasons for the requests. These hearings should only take place if the issues have not been settled with the Commission services in due course.

Any request must be submitted in good time and expeditiously so as not to jeopardise the orderly conduct of proceedings. To that effect, interested parties should request the intervention of the Hearing Officer at the earliest possible time following the occurrence of the event justifying such intervention. Where hearing requests are submitted outside the relevant timeframes, the Hearing Officer will also examine the reasons for such late requests, the nature of the issues raised and the impact of those issues on the rights of defence, having due regard to the interests of good administration and the timely completion of the investigation.

For further information and contact details interested parties may consult the Hearing Officer’s web pages on DG Trade’s website: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/contacts/hearing-officer_en.

12.   Possibility to request a review under Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation

As this expiry review is initiated in accordance with the provisions of Article 11(2) of the basic Regulation, the findings thereof will not lead to the existing measures being amended but will lead to those measures being repealed or maintained in accordance with Article 11(6) of the basic Regulation.

If any interested party considers that a review of the measures is warranted so as to allow for the possibility to amend the measures, that party may request a review pursuant to Article 11(3) of the basic Regulation.

Parties wishing to request such a review, which would be carried out independently of the expiry review mentioned in this Notice, may contact the Commission at the address given above.

13.   Processing of personal data

Any personal data collected in this investigation will be treated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (19).

A data protection notice that informs all individuals of the processing of personal data in the framework of Commission’s trade defence activities is available on DG Trade’s website: https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/2e3865ad-3886-4131-92bb-a71754fffec6/library/cef4ace2-299e-4e29-a17e-d450f34a23a5/details

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(1)  OJ C 195, 13.5.2022, p. 23.

(2)  OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21.

(3)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/140 of 29 January 2018 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of certain cast iron articles originating in the People’s Republic of China and terminating the investigation on imports of certain cast iron articles originating in India (OJ L 25, 30.1.2018, p. 6).

(4)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/261 of 14 February 2019 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/140 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of certain cast iron articles originating in the People’s Republic of China and terminating the investigation on imports of certain cast iron articles originating in India (OJ L 44, 15.2.2019, p. 4).

(5)  Commission Staff Working Document, on Significant Distortions in the Economy of the People’s Republic of China for the Purposes of Trade Defence Investigations, 20 December 2017, SWD(2017) 483 final/2. The country report is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade’s website (https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2017/december/tradoc_156474.pdf). Documents cited in the country report may also be obtained upon a duly reasoned request.

(6)  https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/china-overinvested-coal-power-heres-why.

(7)  https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2183369-cisa-pushes-tax-changes-to-boost-china-steel-scrap-use.

(8)  https://www.beroeinc.com/article/chinas-new-trade-tax-regime-a-shift-in-the-steel-landscape/.

(9)  https://www.afr.com/world/asia/china-s-five-year-plan-to-slash-australian-iron-ore-imports-20210520-p57tq9.

(10)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/915 of 4 June 2019 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of certain aluminium foil in rolls originating in the People’s Republic of China following an expiry review under Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 146, 5.6.2019, p. 63), Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2011 of 17 November 2021 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of optical fibre cables originating in the People’s Republic of China (OJ L 410, 18.11.2021, p. 51), and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/191 of 16 February 2022 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of certain iron or steel fasteners originating in the People’s Republic of China (OJ L 36, 17.2.2022, p. 1).

(11)  In light of the information available, the Commission considers that there is sufficient evidence pursuant to Article 5(9) of the basic Regulation tending to show that, due to significant distortions affecting prices and costs, the use of domestic prices and costs in the country concerned is inappropriate, thus warranting the initiation of an investigation on the basis of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation.

(12)  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52020XC0316%2802%29

(13)  All references to the publication of this Notice will be references to publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union, unless otherwise specified.

(14)  A producer is any company in the country concerned which produces the product under review, including any of its related companies involved in the production, domestic sales or exports of the product under review.

(15)  Only importers not related to producers in the country concerned can be sampled. Importers that are related to producers have to fill in Annex I to the questionnaire for these producers. In accordance with Article 127 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 of 24 November 2015 laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, two persons shall be deemed to be related if: (a) they are officers or directors of the other person’s business; (b) they are legally recognised partners in business; (c) they are employer and employee; (d) a third party directly or indirectly owns, controls or holds 5 % or more of the outstanding voting stock or shares of both of them; (e) one of them directly or indirectly controls the other; (f) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by a third person; (g) together they control a third person directly or indirectly; or (h) they are members of the same family (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 558). Persons shall be deemed to be members of the same family only if they stand in any of the following relationships to one another: (i) husband and wife, (ii) parent and child, (iii) brother and sister (whether by whole or half blood), (iv) grandparent and grandchild, (v) uncle or aunt and nephew or niece, (vi) parent-in-law and son-in-law or daughter-in-law, (vii) brother-in-law and sister-in-law. In accordance with Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, ‘person’ means a natural person, a legal person, and any association of persons which is not a legal person but which is recognised under Union or national law as having the capacity to perform legal acts (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).

(16)  The data provided by unrelated importers may also be used in relation to aspects of this investigation other than the determination of dumping.

(17)  In case of technical problems please contact the Trade Service Desk by email trade-service-desk@ec.europa.eu or by telephone +32 22979797.

(18)  A ‘Sensitive’ document is a document which is considered confidential pursuant to Article 19 of the basic Regulation and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping Agreement). It is also a document protected pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43).

(19)  Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).

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ANNEX

| ☐ | Sensitive version |
| --- | --- |
| ☐ | Version for inspection by interested parties |
| (tick the appropriate box) |

☐

Sensitive version

☐

Version for inspection by interested parties

(tick the appropriate box)

EXPIRY REVIEW OF THE ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES APPLICABLE TO IMPORTS OF CERTAIN CAST IRON ARTICLES ORIGINATING IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

INFORMATION FOR THE SELECTION OF THE SAMPLE OF UNRELATED IMPORTERS

This form is designed to assist unrelated importers in responding to the request for sampling information made in point 5.3.3 of the Notice of initiation.

Both the Sensitive version and the version For inspection by interested parties should be returned to the Commission as set out in the notice of initiation.

1.   IDENTITY AND CONTACT DETAILS

Supply the following details about your company:

| Company name | |
| --- | --- |
| Address | |
| Contact person | |
| Email address | |
| Telephone number | |

Company name

Address

Contact person

Email address

Telephone number

2.   TURNOVER AND SALES VOLUME

Indicate the total turnover in euros (EUR) of the company, the value in euros (EUR) and volume in tonnes for imports and resales on the Union market after importation from the People’s Republic of China, during the review investigation period, of the product under review as defined in the Notice of initiation.

| | Volume in tonnes | Value in euros (EUR) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total turnover of your company in euros (EUR) | | |
| Imports of the product under review originating in the People’s Republic of China | | |
| Imports of the product under review (all origins) | | |
| Resales on the Union market after importation from the People’s Republic of China of the product under review | | |

Volume in tonnes

Value in euros (EUR)

Total turnover of your company in euros (EUR)

Imports of the product under review originating in the People’s Republic of China

Imports of the product under review (all origins)

Resales on the Union market after importation from the People’s Republic of China of the product under review

3.   ACTIVITIES OF YOUR COMPANY AND RELATED COMPANIES (1)

Give details of the precise activities of the company and all related companies (please list them and state the relationship to your company) involved in the production and/or selling (export and/or domestic) of the product under review. Such activities could include but are not limited to purchasing the product under review, producing it under sub-contracting arrangements, or processing or trading it.

| Company name and location | Activities | Relationship |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |

Company name and location

Activities

Relationship

4.   OTHER INFORMATION

Please provide any other relevant information which the company considers useful to assist the Commission in the selection of the sample.

5.   CERTIFICATION

By providing the above information, the company agrees to its possible inclusion in the sample. If the company is selected to be part of the sample, this will involve completing a questionnaire and accepting a visit at its premises in order to verify its response. If the company indicates that it does not agree to its possible inclusion in the sample, it will be deemed not to have cooperated in the investigation. The Commission’s findings for non-cooperating importers are based on the facts available and the result may be less favourable to that company than if it had cooperated.

Signature of authorised official:

Name and title of authorised official:

Date:

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(1)  In accordance with Article 127 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 of 24 November 2015 laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, two persons shall be deemed to be related if: (a) they are officers or directors of the other person’s business; (b) they are legally recognised partners in business; (c) they are employer and employee; (d) a third party directly or indirectly owns, controls or holds 5 % or more of the outstanding voting stock or shares of both of them; (e) one of them directly or indirectly controls the other; (f) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by a third person; (g) together they control a third person directly or indirectly; or (h) they are members of the same family (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 558). Persons shall be deemed to be members of the same family only if they stand in any of the following relationships to one another: (i) husband and wife, (ii) parent and child, (iii) brother and sister (whether by whole or half blood), (iv) grandparent and grandchild, (v) uncle or aunt and nephew or niece, (vi) parent-in-law and son-in-law or daughter-in-law, (vii) brother-in-law and sister-in-law. In accordance with Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code, ‘person’ means a natural person, a legal person, and any association of persons which is not a legal person but which is recognised under Union or national law as having the capacity to perform legal acts (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/23 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/23

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.10841 – FIRMENICH INTERNATIONAL / KONINKLIJKE DSM)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2023/C 30/11)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | Firmenich International SA (‘Firmenich’, Switzerland), |
| --- | --- |

—

Firmenich International SA (‘Firmenich’, Switzerland),

| — | Koninklijke DSM N.V. (‘DSM’, the Netherlands). |
| --- | --- |

—

Koninklijke DSM N.V. (‘DSM’, the Netherlands).

Firmenich will enter into a full merger within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a) of the Merger Regulation with DSM.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

| — | Firmenich specialises in the production and commercialisation of fragrances, flavours, aroma chemicals, pine resin, pine turpentine oil and pine terpene, |
| --- | --- |

—

Firmenich specialises in the production and commercialisation of fragrances, flavours, aroma chemicals, pine resin, pine turpentine oil and pine terpene,

| — | DSM is active mainly in the production of aroma chemicals, flavours, savoury ingredients, enzymes, carotenoids, vitamins and cultures. |
| --- | --- |

—

DSM is active mainly in the production of aroma chemicals, flavours, savoury ingredients, enzymes, carotenoids, vitamins and cultures.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

4.

Observations must reach the Commission no later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.10841 – FIRMENICH INTERNATIONAL / KONINKLIJKE DSM

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

| European Commission |
| --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

1

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OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 27.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 30/25 |
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27.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 30/25

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Publication of the amended single document following the approval of a minor amendment pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 53(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012

(2023/C 30/12)

The European Commission has approved this minor amendment in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 6(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 664/2014 (1).

The application for approval of this minor amendment can be consulted in the Commission’s eAmbrosia database.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Azafrán de la Mancha’

EU No: PDO-ES-0112-AM02 – 22.4.2022

PDO (x) PGI ( )

1.   Name

‘Azafrán de la Mancha’

2.   Member state or third country

Spain

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   
  Type of product

Class 1.8. Other products listed in Annex I to the Treaty (spices etc.)

3.2.   
  Description of product to which the name in (1) applies

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a bulbous plant belonging to the Iridaceae family. The spherical corm is fleshy, with a diameter of 2 cm to 3 cm, and is covered with chestnut brown-greyish reticulate membranes. Between October and November, each bulb produces one to three flowers, which form a tubular shape before opening into a lilac-purple cone. This is the rose of saffron, and has long, narrow petals which eventually open out to reveal its interior.

Inside is the ovary, from which emerge the three yellow stamens and a white filament, the style, which divides into three red fibres or stigmas: the saffron threads or cloves.

‘Azafrán de la Mancha’ is easily recognisable because its red stigmas protrude prominently from the flower and the style is shorter than in flowers of other varieties.

The stigma/style length ratio must be greater than one, with a tolerance value of 1 %.

The stigma must not be less than 22 mm long, with a tolerance value of 1 %.

The content in floral residue (styles which have become detached from their stigmas, stamens, pollen and pieces of petals or ovary) must not exceed 0,5 % of the total weight. A maximum of 0,1 % of foreign matter is permitted. Foreign matter is any vegetable residue which does not come from the saffron flower: minerals (sand, soil and/or dust), parts of or whole dead insects, etc.

The product must not contain mould or live insects.

Organoleptic characteristics

Aroma: exclusive to the drying process, intense and penetrating, mixed with a faint scent of ripe corn or fine dried grass with floral overtones.

Olfactory-gustatory sensation (in infusion): a long-lasting and mild taste, bitter at first, with a persistent aftertaste reminiscent of ripe corn and the drying process.

Chemical characteristics

Analytical parameter: moisture and volatile substances

Loose saffron: 7-9 %

Packed saffron: < 11 % (m/m)

Analytical parameter: total ash

Loose saffron: —

Packed saffron: < 8 % (m/m)

Analytical parameter: acid-insoluble ash

Loose saffron: –

Packed saffron: < 1 % (m/m)

Analytical parameter: ether extract

Loose saffron: –

Packed saffron: 3,5-14,5 % (m/m)

Analytical parameter: cold water-soluble extract

Loose saffron: —

Packed saffron: < 65 % (m/m)

Analytical parameter: colouring power1

Loose saffron: > 200

Packed saffron: > 200

Analytical parameter: flavouring power2

Loose saffron: > 20

Packed saffron: > 20

Analytical parameter: bitterness (picrocrocin)3

Loose saffron: > 70

Packed saffron: > 70

Analytical parameter: safranal content4

Loose saffron: > 65 %

Packed saffron: > 65 %

| 1 | Expressed as a direct measurement of absorbency at 440 nm over dry weight. |
| --- | --- |

1

| 2 | Expressed as a direct measurement of absorbency at 330 nm over dry weight. |
| --- | --- |

2

| 3 | Expressed as a direct measurement of absorbency at 257 nm over dry weight. |
| --- | --- |

3

| 4 | Expressed as a percentage of the total content of volatile substances. |
| --- | --- |

4

3.3.   
  Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

—

3.4.   
  Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area

—

3.5.   
  Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product to which the registered name refers

—

3.6.   
  Specific rules concerning labelling of the product to which the registered name refers

The following image must appear on the labelling in the defined colours. The number XXYYYYYYYY is an alphanumeric code in which XX are two letters of the alphabet identifying the year of production of the saffron and YYYYYYYY is a number identifying the packaging.

Image 1

The containers in which the protected saffron is packaged for consumption will bear a seal of warranty, label or numbered secondary label issued by the inspection body in such a way that the containers cannot be reused.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The area covered by the designation extends from the central region of Castile-La Mancha to the south-east.

The central core of the designation area encompasses the districts of La Mancha in the provinces of Toledo, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Albacete.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Saffron was introduced to Spain during Arab rule. In the 8th and 9th centuries it was used exclusively by the Andalusian upper middle classes. Arabic dishes were flavoured with many herbs, so they were grown in every orchard, the main varieties being cumin, caraway, black cumin, cress, sweet anise, fennel, wood anise, coriander, mustard, mint, peppermint and parsley. The most important condiment for the Arab economy was, however, saffron, an essential colouring and seasoning in most dishes.

A work from a later period, entitled Cultivo del azafrán en la Solana by J. A. López de la Osa (1897), provides written evidence of saffron-growing in La Mancha. The book includes information on this crop from 100 years earlier and quotes a legal inventory from 1720 which also mentions saffron. In the first third of the 19th century La Mancha was producing the best-quality saffron in Spain, with the highest yields per hectare of dry land. The ancient tradition of growing saffron is very well documented in Pedro Muñoz, Campo de Criptana and Manzanares (Ciudad Real), in Lillo, Madridejos, Villacañas, Villanueva de Alcardete and Cabezamesada (Toledo) and in Montilla del Palancar (Cuenca).

The strongest evidence of a strong historical link between the La Mancha region and saffron can, however, be found in the area’s many cultural traditions.

As with all activities which are firmly rooted in a particular society, growing saffron has given rise to its own rich vocabulary. El léxico del azafrán en el habla manchega by M. Núñez and J. C. Conde (Al-Basit: Revista de Estudios Albacetenses, 28, Albacete 1991) includes a wide range of saffron-related expressions collected in surveys carried out in the province of Albacete. The tradition of growing saffron in La Mancha is reflected in the folklore typical of the region, a traditional regional dance being dedicated to the product, and in songs and sayings. It also provides the backdrop for the operetta entitled La rosa del azafrán (libretto by by F. Romero and G. Fernández Shaw; with music by Jacinto Guerrero, premiered in Madrid in 1930).

It should also be noted that there are instruction manuals describing growing and production techniques, such as the aforementioned work by J. A. López de la Osa and El azafranero práctico by L. Jiménez Martín (Albacete: Imprenta Eduardo Miranda, 1900).

The importance of this crop in traditional culture is also demonstrated by the ‘Fiesta de la Rosa del Azafrán’, which takes place in Consuegra (Toledo), the saffron-peeling contests held as part of the patron saint festivities in La Solana (Ciudad Real), and the ‘Festival de la Rosa del Azafrán’ in Santa Ana (Albacete).

Lastly, a clear indication of the traditional nature and economic importance of this crop is the custom, still practised in some La Mancha villages, of giving newly-wed couples a few strands of saffron, a symbol of the desire for prosperity.

Reference to publication of the product specification

http://pagina.jccm.es/agricul/paginas/comercial-industrial/consejos_new/pliegos/AM01_PC_Azafran_de_La_Mancha.pdf

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(1)  OJ L 179, 19.6.2014, p. 17.

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