# Official Journal C 256/2019

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 256 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6230 July 2019 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 256

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6230 July 2019

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| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | IV   Notices |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 256/01 | Euro exchange rates | 1 |

Contents

page

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2019/C 256/01

Euro exchange rates

1

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES |
| | European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training |
| 2019/C 256/02 | Open call for proposals — GP/DSI/ReferNet_FPA/001/19 — ReferNet — Cedefop’s European Network of Expertise in Vocational Education and Training (VET) | 2 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 256/03 | Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of certain polyvinyl alcohols originating in the People's Republic of China | 4 |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 256/04 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9427 — The Carlyle Group/Forgital Italy) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 19 |
| 2019/C 256/05 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9369 — PAI Partners/Wessanen) (
  1
  ) | 20 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2019/C 256/06 | Publication of an application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 21 |

V   Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training

2019/C 256/02

Open call for proposals — GP/DSI/ReferNet_FPA/001/19 — ReferNet — Cedefop’s European Network of Expertise in Vocational Education and Training (VET)

2

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

2019/C 256/03

Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of certain polyvinyl alcohols originating in the People's Republic of China

4

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2019/C 256/04

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9427 — The Carlyle Group/Forgital Italy) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

19

2019/C 256/05

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.9369 — PAI Partners/Wessanen) (
  1
  )

1

20

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2019/C 256/06

Publication of an application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

21

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

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance.

1

| EN | |
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EN

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 30.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 256/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

30.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 256/1

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Euro exchange rates (1)

29 July 2019

(2019/C 256/01)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1119 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 120,81 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4668 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,90443 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,5773 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,1037 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 135,90 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,6935 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,613 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 327,23 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2806 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,7287 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 6,2560 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6110 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,4645 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,6937 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6796 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5250 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 316,82 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 15,8158 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,6648 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,3805 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 15 588,84 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,5866 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 56,720 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 70,6300 |
| THB | Thai baht | 34,308 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 4,2104 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 21,2046 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 76,4740 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1119

JPY

Japanese yen

120,81

DKK

Danish krone

7,4668

GBP

Pound sterling

0,90443

SEK

Swedish krona

10,5773

CHF

Swiss franc

1,1037

ISK

Iceland króna

135,90

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,6935

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,613

HUF

Hungarian forint

327,23

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2806

RON

Romanian leu

4,7287

TRY

Turkish lira

6,2560

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6110

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,4645

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,6937

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6796

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5250

KRW

South Korean won

1 316,82

ZAR

South African rand

15,8158

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,6648

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,3805

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

15 588,84

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,5866

PHP

Philippine peso

56,720

RUB

Russian rouble

70,6300

THB

Thai baht

34,308

BRL

Brazilian real

4,2104

MXN

Mexican peso

21,2046

INR

Indian rupee

76,4740

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

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V Announcements

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training

| 30.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 256/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

30.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 256/2

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Open call for proposals — GP/DSI/ReferNet_FPA/001/19

ReferNet — Cedefop’s European Network of Expertise in Vocational Education and Training (VET)

(2019/C 256/02)

1.   Objectives and description

With the objective of establishing a European network of expertise in VET — ReferNet —, this call aims at selecting one applicant from each eligible country (EU Member States, Iceland and Norway) with which Cedefop will conclude a four-year framework partnership agreement, and at concluding with each successful applicant a specific grant agreement for a work plan to be carried out in 2020.

Founded in 1975 and based in Greece since 1995, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) is an agency of the European Union (EU). Acknowledged as an authoritative source of information and expertise on VET, skills and qualifications, its mission is to support European vocational education and training (VET) policy development and contribute to its implementation.

ReferNet is Cedefop’s European network for information on VET. The mission devoted to ReferNet is to support Cedefop by reporting on national VET systems and policy developments and by raising the visibility of VET and Cedefop’s products. It comprises 30 members known as ReferNet national partners from EU Member States, Iceland and Norway. ReferNet national partners are key institutions involved in VET or labour market policies in the country they represent.

Framework partnership agreements are implemented through annual specific grant agreements. Therefore, applicants shall not only submit a proposal for the 4-year framework partnership (which, if successful, will lead to the signature of a Framework Partnership Agreement for the years 2020 to 2023) but also the grant application for the 2020 action (which may lead to the signature of a Specific Grant Agreement for the year 2020). The applicant must demonstrate its capacity to carry out all the activities foreseen over the four-year period and ensure adequate co-financing for the implementation of the requested tasks.

2.   Budget and project duration

The estimated budget available for the four year duration of the framework partnership agreements amounts to EUR 4 000 000, depending on the annual decisions of the Budgetary Authority.

The total available budget for the 2020 annual work plan (project duration: 12 months) will be EUR 980 000 for the 30 partners (from the 28 EU Member States, Iceland and Norway).

The grant varies according to the country population and is awarded for carrying out an annual work plan. The total available budget for the 2020 work plan will be distributed on the basis of three country groups based on country population:

| — | Country group 1: Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia and Iceland. Maximum grant amount: EUR 23 615. |
| --- | --- |

—

Country group 1: Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia and Iceland. Maximum grant amount: EUR 23 615.

| — | Country group 2: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and Norway. Maximum grant amount: EUR 33 625. |
| --- | --- |

—

Country group 2: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and Norway. Maximum grant amount: EUR 33 625.

| — | Country group 3: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom (1). Maximum grant amount: EUR 43 620. |
| --- | --- |

—

Country group 3: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom (1). Maximum grant amount: EUR 43 620.

The Union grant is a financial contribution to the beneficiary’s (and/or co-beneficiaries’) costs which must be supplemented by own financial contribution and/or local, regional, national and/or private contributions. The total Union contribution shall not exceed 70 % of the eligible costs.

Cedefop reserves the right not to award the total budget available.

3.   Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, applicants should meet the following requirements:

| (a) | be a public or a private organisation, with a legal status and legal personality (natural persons, i.e. individuals, are not eligible); |
| --- | --- |

(a)

be a public or a private organisation, with a legal status and legal personality (natural persons, i.e. individuals, are not eligible);

| (b) | have their seat registered in a country where the grant is applied, i.e. in one of the following:






  — | EU-28 (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom (2)); |
| --- | --- | --- |

(b)

have their seat registered in a country where the grant is applied, i.e. in one of the following:

—

EU-28 (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom (2));

| — | associated countries (Iceland and Norway). |
| --- | --- |

—

associated countries (Iceland and Norway).

4.   Deadline

Applications for the framework partnership agreement must be submitted at the latest on 1 October 2019.

5.   Further information

The detailed specifications of the call for proposals, the application form and its annexes will be available as from 31 July 2019 on Cedefop’s website at the following address:

http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/about-cedefop/public-procurement

Applications must comply with the requirements set out in the full text of the call and be submitted using the official forms provided.

The evaluation of proposals will be based on the principles of transparency and equal treatment.

All submitted applications will be evaluated by a committee of experts against the eligibility, exclusion, selection and award criteria defined in the full text version of the call.

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(1)  If the United Kingdom withdraws from the EU during the grant period without concluding any agreement with the EU ensuring in particular that British applicants continue to be eligible, these will cease to receive EU funding and be required to discontinue the project on the basis of Article II.17.2.2 q of the Framework Partnership Agreement, which shall be terminated.

(2)  See footnote 1.

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

| 30.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 256/4 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

30.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 256/4

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Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of certain polyvinyl alcohols originating in the People's Republic of China

(2019/C 256/03)

The European Commission (‘the Commission’) has received a complaint pursuant to Article 5 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 (1) (‘the basic Regulation’), alleging that imports of certain polyvinyl alcohols (‘PVA’), originating in the People's Republic of China, are being dumped and are thereby causing injury (2) to the Union industry.

1.   Complaint

The complaint was lodged on 19 June 2019 by Kuraray Europe GmbH (‘the complainant’) representing more than 60 % of the total Union production of certain polyvinyl alcohols.

An open version of the complaint and the analysis of the degree of support by Union producers for the complaint 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 investigation

The product subject to this investigation is certain PVA in the form of homopolymer resins with a viscosity (measured in 4 % solution) of 3 mPas or more but not exceeding 61 mPas and a degree of hydrolysis of 80,0 mol% or more but not exceeding 99,9 mol% (‘the product under investigation’). PVA is mainly used as an additive, precursor or agent by a large number of Union industries.

All interested parties wishing to submit information on the product scope must do so within 10 days of the date of publication of this Notice (3).

3.   Allegation of dumping

The product allegedly being dumped is the product under investigation, originating in the People's Republic of China (‘the country concerned’), currently falling under CN code ex 3905 30 00 (TARIC code 3905300091). The CN and TARIC codes are given for information only.

The complainant claimed that it is not appropriate to use domestic prices and costs in the country concerned, 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 complainant relied on the information contained in the ‘Commission Staff Working Document on Significant Distortions in the Economy of the People's Republic of China for the Purposes of Trade Defence Investigations’ (‘the country report’) produced by the Commission services on 20 December 2017 describing the specific market circumstances in the country concerned. In particular, the complainant claimed that the production and sale of the product under investigation is potentially affected by the factors mentioned, inter alia, in Section 4.2.1 ‘Structure of the Chinese Planning System’, Section 10.1.1 ‘Energy Market Overview’, Section 10.1.2 ‘Plans’ in the Energy sector, Section 10.2.1.2 ‘Price Differentiation’, Section 11.2 ‘Access to Capital’, Section 11.4.4.1 ‘Evergreening and Zombie Companies’, Section 11.4.4 ‘Government Response to Debt a Risk’, Section 16.2.5 ‘State-Owned Enterprises’ in the Chemical Sector, Section 16.3 ‘Regulatory Framework/Quantitative Development Targets’ and Section 16.2.6 ‘Overcapacity’ of the country report.

In addition, the complainant referred to the relevant Five Year Plans (‘FYP’) published by the Government of China, including the 12th FYP which focuses on rebalancing the economy, mitigating social inequity and conserving the environment; the 13th FYP for Natural Gas Development and reports from the Economist and the OECD.

As a result, in view of Article 2(6a)(a) of the basic Regulation, the allegation of dumping 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 investigation from the country concerned when sold for export to the Union. On that basis, the dumping margin calculated is significant for the country concerned.

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.

The country report is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade's website (4).

4.   Allegation of injury and causation

The complainant has provided evidence that imports of the product under investigation from the country concerned have increased overall in absolute terms and have increased in terms of market share.

The evidence provided by the complainant shows that the volume and the prices of the imported product under investigation have had, among other consequences, a negative impact on the quantities sold, the level of prices charged and the market share held by the Union industry, resulting in substantial adverse effects on the overall performance, the financial situation and the employment situation of the Union industry.

5.   Procedure

Having determined, after informing the Member States, that the complaint has been lodged by or on behalf of the Union industry and that there is sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of a proceeding, the Commission hereby initiates an investigation pursuant to Article 5 of the basic Regulation.

The investigation will determine whether the product under investigation originating in the country concerned is being dumped and whether the dumped imports have caused injury to the Union industry.

If the conclusions are affirmative, the investigation will examine whether the imposition of measures would not be against the Union interest under Article 21 of the basic Regulation.

Regulation (EU) 2018/825 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5), which entered into force on 8 June 2018 (‘TDI Modernisation package’), introduced significant changes to the timetable and deadlines previously applicable in anti-dumping proceedings (6). In particular, investigations will be conducted more expeditiously and any provisional measures may be imposed up to two months earlier than previously. The time-limits for interested parties to come forward, in particular at the early stage of investigations, are shortened.

5.1.   
  Investigation period and period considered

The investigation of dumping and injury will cover the period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 (‘the investigation period’). The examination of trends relevant for the assessment of injury will cover the period from 1 January 2016 to the end of the investigation period (‘the period considered’).

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

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

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 dumping

Exporting producers (7) of the product under investigation from the country concerned are invited to participate in the Commission investigation.

5.3.1.   Investigating exporting producers

5.3.1.1.   Procedure for selecting exporting producers to be investigated in the country concerned

(a)   Sampling

In view of the potentially large number of exporting producers in the country concerned involved in this proceeding and in order to complete the investigation within the statutory time limits, the Commission may limit the exporting 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 exporting producers, or representatives acting on their behalf, are hereby requested to provide the Commission with information on their company requested in Annex I to this Notice within 7 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

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

If a sample is necessary, the exporting producers may be selected based on the largest representative volume of exports to the Union which can reasonably be investigated within the time available. All known exporting producers in the country concerned, the authorities of the country concerned and associations of exporting producers in the country concerned 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 exporting producers, it will inform the parties concerned of its decision whether they are included in the sample. The sampled exporting 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 reflecting the sample selection to the file for inspection by interested parties. 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 exporting producers is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade's website: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/tdi/case_details.cfm?id=2405.

The questionnaire will also be made available to any known association of exporting producers, and to the authorities of that country.

Without prejudice to the possible application of Article 18 of the basic Regulation, exporting producers that have filled in Annex I within the specified deadline and agreed to be included in the sample but are not selected as part of the sample will be considered to be cooperating (‘non-sampled cooperating exporting producers’). Without prejudice to section 5.3.1(b) below, the anti-dumping duty that may be applied to imports from non-sampled cooperating exporting producers will not exceed the weighted average margin of dumping established for the exporting producers in the sample (8).

(b)   Individual dumping margin for exporting producers not included in the sample

Pursuant to Article 17(3) of the basic Regulation, non-sampled cooperating exporting producers may request the Commission to establish their individual dumping margins. Exporting producers wishing to claim an individual dumping margin must fill in the questionnaire and return it duly completed within 30 days of the date of notification of the sample selection, unless otherwise specified. A copy of the questionnaire for exporting producers is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade's website: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/tdi/case_details.cfm?id=2405.

The Commission will examine whether non-sampled cooperating exporting producers can be granted an individual duty in accordance with Article 9(5) of the basic Regulation.

However, non-sampled cooperating exporting producers claiming an individual dumping margin should be aware that the Commission may nonetheless decide not to determine their individual dumping margin if, for instance, the number of non-sampled cooperating exporting producers is so large that such determination would be unduly burdensome and would prevent the timely completion of the investigation.

5.3.2.   Additional procedure with regard to the country concerned 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.

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, including the selection of an appropriate representative third country, where appropriate, that it intends to use for the purpose of determining normal value pursuant to Article 2(6a). Parties to the investigation are to be given 10 days to comment on the note, in accordance with point (e) of Article 2(6a).

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

In the context of this exercise, the Commission invites all exporting producers in the country concerned to provide the information requested in Annex III to this Notice within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

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. The Commission will also send a questionnaire to the Government of the country concerned, in order to obtain the necessary information for its investigation regarding the alleged significant distortions within the meaning of point (b) of Article 2(6a) of the basic Regulation

5.3.3.   Investigating unrelated importers (9) (10)

Unrelated importers of the product under investigation from the country concerned to the Union are invited to participate in this investigation.

In view of the potentially large number of unrelated importers involved in this proceeding 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, are hereby requested to provide the Commission with the information on their company requested in Annex II to this Notice within 7 days of the date of publication of 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 investigation in the Union which can reasonably be investigated within the time available.

Once the Commission has received the necessary information to select a sample, it will inform the parties concerned of its decision on the sample of importers. The Commission will also add a note reflecting the sample selection to the file for inspection by interested parties. 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 information it deems necessary for its investigation, the Commission will send questionnaires to the sampled unrelated importers. Those parties must submit a completed questionnaire within 30 days from the date of the notification of the decision about the sample, unless otherwise specified.

A copy of the questionnaire for importers is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade's website: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/tdi/case_details.cfm?id=2405.

5.4.   
  Procedure for the determination of injury and investigating Union producers

A determination of injury is based on positive evidence and involves an objective examination of the volume of the dumped imports, their effect on prices on the Union market and the consequent impact of those imports on the Union industry. In order to establish whether the Union industry is injured, Union producers of the product under investigation are invited to participate in the Commission investigation.

In view of the large number of Union producers concerned 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, 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.

All known Union producers and/or associations of Union producers will be notified by the Commission 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: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/tdi/case_details.cfm?id=2405.

5.5.   
  Procedure for the assessment of Union interest

Should the existence of dumping and injury caused thereby be established, a decision will be reached, pursuant to Article 21 of the basic Regulation, as to whether the adoption of 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. In order to participate in the investigation, the representative consumer organisations have to demonstrate that there is an objective link between their activities and the product under investigation.

Information concerning the assessment of 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 investigation, is available in the file for inspection by interested parties and on DG Trade's website: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/tdi/case_details.cfm?id=2405.

The information submitted pursuant to Article 21 will only be taken into account if supported by factual evidence at the time of submission.

5.6.   
  Interested parties

In order to participate in the investigation interested parties, such as exporting producers, 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 investigation.

Exporting producers, Union producers, importers and representative associations who made information available in accordance to the procedures described in sections 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 above will be considered as interested parties if there is an objective link between their activities and the product under investigation.

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 investigation. 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://webgate.ec.europa.eu/tron/TDI. Please follow the instructions on that page to get access.

5.7.   
  Possibility to be heard by the Commission investigation services

All interested parties may request to be heard by the Commission's 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.

The timeframe for hearings is as follows:

| — | For any hearings to take place before the deadline for the imposition of provisional measures, a request should be made within 15 days from the date of publication of this Notice and the hearing will normally take place within 60 days of the date of publication of this Notice. |
| --- | --- |

—

For any hearings to take place before the deadline for the imposition of provisional measures, a request should be made within 15 days from the date of publication of this Notice and the hearing will normally take place within 60 days of the date of publication of this Notice.

| — | After the stage of provisional findings, a request should be made within 5 days from the date of the disclosure of the provisional findings or of the information document, and the hearing will normally take place within 15 days from the date of notification of the disclosure or the date of the information document. |
| --- | --- |

—

After the stage of provisional findings, a request should be made within 5 days from the date of the disclosure of the provisional findings or of the information document, and the hearing will normally take place within 15 days from the date of notification of the disclosure or the date of the information document.

| — | At the stage of definitive findings, a request should be made within 3 days from the date of the final disclosure, and the hearing will normally take place within the period granted to comment on the final disclosure. If there is an additional final disclosure, a request should be made immediately upon receipt of this additional final disclosure, and the hearing will normally take place within the deadline to provide comments on this disclosure. |
| --- | --- |

—

At the stage of definitive findings, a request should be made within 3 days from the date of the final disclosure, and the hearing will normally take place within the period granted to comment on the final disclosure. If there is an additional final disclosure, a request should be made immediately upon receipt of this additional final disclosure, and the hearing will normally take place within the deadline to provide comments on this disclosure.

The outlined timeframe is without prejudice to the right of the Commission services to accept hearings outside the timeframe in duly justified cases and to the right of the Commission to deny hearings in duly justified cases. Where the Commission services refuse a hearing request, the party concerned will be informed of the reasons for such refusal.

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.

5.8.   
  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 ‘Limited’ (11). Parties submitting information in the course of this investigation are invited to reason their request for confidential treatment.

Parties providing ‘Limited’ 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’. Those summaries should 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://webgate.ec.europa.eu/tron/TDI) including scanned powers of attorney and certification sheets, with the exception of voluminous replies which shall be submitted on a CD-R or DVD by hand or by registered mail.

In order to have access to TRON.tdi, interested parties need an EU Login account. Full instructions on how to register and use TRON.tdi are available on https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/tron/resources/documents/gettingStarted.pdf.

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: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2011/june/tradoc_148003.pdf. 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 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 H |
| Office: CHAR 04/039 |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussels |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |
| E-mails: |
| TRADE-AD654-PVA-INJURY@ec.europa.eu |
| TRADE-AD654-PVA-DUMPING@ec.europa.eu |

European Commission

Directorate-General for Trade

Directorate H

Office: CHAR 04/039

1049 Bruxelles/Brussels

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

E-mails:

TRADE-AD654-PVA-INJURY@ec.europa.eu

TRADE-AD654-PVA-DUMPING@ec.europa.eu

6.   Schedule of the investigation

Investigation is, whenever possible, to be concluded within one year but in any event not later than 14 months from the date of publication of this Notice, pursuant to Article 6(9) of the basic Regulation. In accordance with Article 7(1) of the basic Regulation, provisional measures may be imposed normally not later than 7 months, but in any event not later than 8 months from the publication of this Notice.

In accordance with Article 19a of the basic Regulation, the Commission will provide information on the planned imposition of provisional duties 3 weeks before the imposition of provisional measures. Interested parties may request this information in writing within 4 months of the publication of this notice. Interested parties will be given 3 working days to comment in writing on the accuracy of the calculations.

In cases where the Commission intends not to impose provisional duties but to continue the investigation, interested parties will be informed, by means of an information document, of the non-imposition of duties 3 weeks before the expiry of the deadline under Article 7(1) of the basic Regulation.

Interested parties will be given 15 days to comment in writing on the provisional findings or on the information document, and 10 days to comment in writing on the definitive findings, unless otherwise specified. Where applicable, additional final disclosures will specify the deadline for interested parties to comment in writing.

7.   Submission of information

As a rule, interested parties may only submit information in the timeframes specified in sections 5 and 6 of this Notice. The submission of any other information not covered by those sections, should respect the following timetable:

| — | Any information for the stage of provisional findings should be submitted within 70 days from the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified. |
| --- | --- |

—

Any information for the stage of provisional findings should be submitted within 70 days from the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified.

| — | Unless otherwise specified, interested parties should not submit new factual information after the deadline to comment on the disclosure of the provisional findings or the information document at the stage of provisional findings. After this deadline, interested parties may only submit new factual information if they can demonstrate that such new factual information is necessary to rebut factual allegations made by other interested parties and provided that such new factual information can be verified within the time available to complete the investigation in a timely manner. |
| --- | --- |

—

Unless otherwise specified, interested parties should not submit new factual information after the deadline to comment on the disclosure of the provisional findings or the information document at the stage of provisional findings. After this deadline, interested parties may only submit new factual information if they can demonstrate that such new factual information is necessary to rebut factual allegations made by other interested parties and provided that such new factual information can be verified within the time available to complete the investigation in a timely manner.

| — | 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. |
| --- | --- |

—

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.

Such comments should be made according to the following timeframe:

| — | Any comment on information submitted by other interested parties before the deadline of imposition of provisional measures should be made at the latest on day 75 from the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified. |
| --- | --- |

—

Any comment on information submitted by other interested parties before the deadline of imposition of provisional measures should be made at the latest on day 75 from the date of publication of this Notice, unless otherwise specified.

| — | Comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to the disclosure of the provisional findings or of the information document should be submitted within 7 days from the deadline to comment on the provisional findings or on the information document, unless otherwise specified. |
| --- | --- |

—

Comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to the disclosure of the provisional findings or of the information document should be submitted within 7 days from the deadline to comment on the provisional findings or on the information document, unless otherwise specified.

| — | Comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to the final disclosure should be submitted within 3 days from the deadline to comment on the final disclosure, unless otherwise specified. If there is an additional final disclosure, comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to this disclosure should be made within 1 day from the deadline to comment on this disclosure, unless otherwise specified. |
| --- | --- |

—

Comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to the final disclosure should be submitted within 3 days from the deadline to comment on the final disclosure, unless otherwise specified. If there is an additional final disclosure, comments on the information provided by other interested parties in reaction to this disclosure should be made within 1 day from the deadline to comment on this 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 can only be requested in exceptional circumstances and will only be granted if duly justified.

Extensions to the deadline to reply to questionnaires may be granted, if duly justified, and will normally be limited to 3 additional days. As a rule, such extensions will not exceed 7 days. Regarding time limits for the submission of other information specified in this Notice, 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, provisional or final 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 for 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 the 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. In principle, the timeframes set out in section 5.7 to request hearings with the Commission services apply mutatis mutandis to requests for hearings with the Hearing Officer. 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: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/trade-policy-and-you/contacts/hearing-officer/.

12.   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 (12).

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: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/html/157639.htm

---

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

(2)  The general term ‘injury’ refers to material injury as well as to threat of material injury or material retardation of the establishment of an industry as set out in Article 3(1) of the basic Regulation.

(3)  References to the publication of this Notice mean publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(4)  http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2017/december/tradoc_156474.pdf.

(5)  Regulation (EU) 2018/825 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union and Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Union (OJ L 143, 7.6.2018, p. 1).

(6)  ‘Short overview of the deadlines and timelines in the investigative process’ in DG TRADE's website http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2018/june/tradoc_156922.pdf.

(7)  An exporting producer is any company in the country concerned which produces and exports the product under investigation to the Union market, either directly or via a third party, including any of its related companies involved in the production, domestic sales or exports of the product under investigation.

(8)  Pursuant to Article 9(6) of the basic Regulation, any zero and de minimis margins, and margins established in accordance with the circumstances described in Article 18 of the basic Regulation will be disregarded.

(9)  This section covers only importers not related to exporting producers. Importers that are related to exporting producers have to fill in Annex I to the questionnaire for these exporting 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).

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

(11)  A ‘Limited’ 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).

(12)  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 I

Image 1

☐ ‘Limited’ version (1)

☐ Version ‘For inspection by interested parties’

(tick the appropriate box)

ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING CONCERNING IMPORTS OF CERTAIN POLYVINYL ALCOHOLS ORIGINATING IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

INFORMATION FOR THE SELECTION OF THE SAMPLE OF EXPORTING PRODUCERS IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

This form is designed to assist exporting producers in the People’s Republic of China in responding to the request for sampling information made in point 5.3.1.1. of the notice of initiation.

Both the ‘Limited’ 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

Fax

2. TURNOVER AND SALES VOLUME

Indicate the turnover in the accounting currency of the company during the investigation period (export sales to the Union for each of the 28 Member States (2) separately and in total and domestic sales) of certain polyvinyl alcohols as defined in the Notice of initiation and the corresponding weight or volume.

Volume in tonnes

Value in accounting currency

Specify the currency used

Export sales to the Union, for each of the 28 Member States separately and in total, of the product under investigation, manufactured by your company

Total:

Name each Member State (1)

Domestic sales of the product under investigation, manufactured by your company

(1) Add additional rows where necessary.

(1) This document is for internal use only. It is 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). It is a confidential document pursuant to Article 19 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 (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21) and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping Agreement).

(2) The 28 Member States of the European Union are: Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Image 2

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

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 investigation. Such activities could include but are not limited to producing upstream inputs used in the production of the product under investigation, purchasing the product under investigation or producing it under sub-contracting arrangements, or processing or trading the product under investigation. Provide details concerning the type of relationship (see footnote 3 for more information)

Company name and location

Activities

Type of relationship (% shareholding, common shareholder, family links...)

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. INDIVIDUAL DUMPING MARGIN

The company declares that, in the event that it is not selected to be in the sample, it would like to receive a questionnaire and other claim forms in order to fill these in and thus claim an individual dumping margin in accordance with section 5.3.1.1.(b) of the notice of initiation.

☐ Yes

☐ No

6. 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 exporting producers are based on 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:

(3) 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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ANNEX II

Image 3

☐ ‘Limited’ version (1)

☐ Version ‘For inspection by interested parties’

(tick the appropriate box)

ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING CONCERNING IMPORTS OF CERTAIN POLYVINYL ALCOHOLS 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 ‘Limited’ 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

Fax

2. TURNOVER AND SALES VOLUME

Indicate the total turnover in euros (EUR) of the company, and the turnover and weight or volume for imports into the Union (2) and resales on the Union market after importation from the People’s Republic of China, during the investigation period, of certain polyvinyl alcohols as defined in the notice of initiation and the corresponding weight or volume.

Volume in tonnes

Value in euros (EUR)

Total turnover of your company in euros (EUR)

Imports of the product under investigation into the Union

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

(1) This document is for internal use only. It is 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). It is a confidential document pursuant to Article 19 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 (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21) and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping Agreement).

(2) The 28 Member States of the European Union are: Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Croatia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Image 4

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

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 investigation. Such activities could include but are not limited to purchasing the product under investigation or producing it under sub-contracting arrangements, or processing or trading the product under investigation.

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:

(3) 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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ANNEX III

Image 5

☐ ‘Limited’ version (1)

☐ Version ‘For inspection by interested parties’

(tick the appropriate box)

ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING CONCERNING IMPORTS OF CERTAIN POLYVINYL ALCOHOLS ORIGINATING IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

INFORMATION REQUEST REGARDING THE INPUTS USED BY THE PRODUCERS IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

This form is designed to assist producers in the People’s Republic of China in responding to the request for input information made in point 5.3.2 of the Notice of initiation.

Both the ‘Limited’ version and the version ‘For inspection by interested parties’ should be returned to the Commission as set out in section 5.3.2 of the Notice of initiation.

The requested information should be sent back to the Commission at the address specified in the Notice of initiation within 15 days of the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

1. IDENTITY AND CONTACT DETAILS

Supply the following details about your company:

Company name

Address

Contact person

Email address

Telephone

Fax

2. INFORMATION ON THE INPUTS USED BY YOUR COMPANY AND RELATED COMPANIES

Please provide a short description of the production process(es) of the product under investigation.

Please list all materials (raw and processed) and energy purchased and used in the production of the product under investigation as well as all by-products and waste that are sold or (re)introduced in the production process of the product under investigation. Where appropriate, provide the corresponding Harmonised System (‘HS’) code (2) for each of the items inserted in the two tables. Please fill in a separate Annex for each of the related companies that produce the product under investigation in case the production process differs. Related companies that are involved in the manufacturing of upstream inputs used in the production of the product under investigation shall also fill in a separate Annex and identify the supplied input(s).

Raw Materials/energy

HS Code

(Add additional rows where necessary)

(1) This document is for internal use only. It is 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). It is a confidential document pursuant to Article 19 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 (OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21) and Article 6 of the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping Agreement).

(2) The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System generally referred to as ‘Harmonized System’ or simply ‘HS’ is a multipurpose international product nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO).

Image 6

By-products and waste

HS Code

(Add additional rows where necessary)

The company hereby declares that the information provided above is accurate to the best of its knowledge.

Signature of the authorised official:

Name and title of the authorised official:

Date:

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PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 30.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 256/19 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

30.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 256/19

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9427 — The Carlyle Group/Forgital Italy)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2019/C 256/04)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | The Carlyle Group L.P. (United States, ‘Carlyle’), |
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The Carlyle Group L.P. (United States, ‘Carlyle’),

| — | Forgital Italy S.p.A. (Italy, ‘Forgital’). |
| --- | --- |

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Forgital Italy S.p.A. (Italy, ‘Forgital’).

Carlyle acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Forgital through F-Brasile S.r.l. (Italy, ‘F-Brasile’), a special acquisition vehicle indirectly owned by Carlyle. The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

2.

—   for Carlyle: global investment firm that manages funds present in different business segments, including the manufacture of machined parts for aircraft engines,

—   for Forgital: forging, laminating and machining of rolled rings in the aerospace sector and supply of components in oil and gas, transmission, power generation and general mechanics.

3.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.9427 — The Carlyle Group/Forgital Italy

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 |

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

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

1

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

2

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| 30.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 256/20 |
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30.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 256/20

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.9369 — PAI Partners/Wessanen)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2019/C 256/05)

1.

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

| — | PAI Partners SAS (‘PAI Partners’, France), |
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PAI Partners SAS (‘PAI Partners’, France),

| — | Koninklijke Wessanen NV (‘Wessanen’, the Netherlands). |
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Koninklijke Wessanen NV (‘Wessanen’, the Netherlands).

PAI Partners acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Wessanen.

The concentration is accomplished by way of public bid announced on 11 July 2019.

2.

—   for PAI Partners: managing and advising, as a private equity company, a number of funds that own companies active in a variety of business sectors such as business services, food and consumer goods, general industries, healthcare, and retail and distribution,

—   for Wessanen: the supply and distribution, through various subsidiaries, of food products, in particular healthy and sustainable foods, under own brands and third-party brands.

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 not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.9369 — PAI Partners/Wessanen

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

| E-mail: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- |
| Fax +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

E-mail: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

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

| 30.7.2019 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 256/21 |
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30.7.2019

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 256/21

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Publication of an application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2019/C 256/06)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within three months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘OLIO DI PUGLIA’

EU No: PGI-IT-02381-22.12.2017

PDO ( ) PGI ( X )

1.   Name(s)

‘Olio di Puglia’

2.   Member State or Third Country

Italy

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.5. Oils and fats (butter, margarine, oil, etc.)

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

The oil's pronounced fruity bouquet of olive varies in intensity and includes clear green notes reminiscent of freshly mown grass and/or leaves, fresh almonds and/or artichoke.

On the palate the oil tastes very green, with bitter and pungent notes of varying intensity, that may be accompanied by notes of green almond and/or cardoon, with an aftertaste of grass, artichoke, other vegetables and hints of fresh almonds.

Upon certification, ‘Olio di Puglia’ Protected Geographical Indication extra virgin olive oil must comply with the criteria listed below:

| — | Colour: from green to straw yellow, depending on the age of the oil. |
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Colour: from green to straw yellow, depending on the age of the oil.

| — | Organoleptic characteristics:






  Descriptor | Median |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Olive fruitiness | 2 - 8 |
| Bitter | 2 - 7 |
| Pungent | 2 - 7 |

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Organoleptic characteristics:

Descriptor

Median

Olive fruitiness

2 - 8

Bitter

2 - 7

Pungent

2 - 7

| — | Chemical properties:
  Acidity (%): ≤ 0,40
  Peroxide value (mEq O2/kg): ≤ 10 mEq O2/kg,
  Ethyl esters: ≤ 20
  Total biophenols: ≥ 300 mg/kg, of which bioactive phenols ≥ 250 mg/kg*; |
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Chemical properties:

Acidity (%): ≤ 0,40

Peroxide value (mEq O2/kg): ≤ 10 mEq O2/kg,

Ethyl esters: ≤ 20

Total biophenols: ≥ 300 mg/kg, of which bioactive phenols ≥ 250 mg/kg*;

The above quality parameters and those that are not specifically mentioned must in any case comply with the relevant EU legislation in force regarding extra virgin olive oil.

A 20 % tolerance applies to the acidity and peroxide values.

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

‘Olio di Puglia’ Protected Geographical Indication consists exclusively of extra virgin olive oil produced from olives from the following national cultivars that are widespread in the region: Cellina di Nardò, Cima di Bitonto (or Ogliarola Barese/Ogliarola Garganica), Cima di Melfi, Frantoio, Ogliarola salentina (or Cima di Mola), Coratina, Favolosa (or Fs-17), Leccino, Peranzana, which, alone or in combination, must account for least 70 % of the trees planted in the olive groves. The total of other varieties present may not exceed 30 %.

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

All the steps in the production process, namely the cultivation, harvesting and oil extraction, must take place within the defined geographical area.

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

Storage, bottling and packaging must take place within the defined geographical area (the production area) by 31 October in the year following the year of production.

Storage is a phase in the production process intended to protect the product from any alteration in the chemical, organoleptic and health properties described in point 3.2.

Bottling and packaging must take place in the defined geographical area both to preserve the quality and especially the signature characteristics of PGI ‘Olio di Puglia’ which can be gauged by its biophenol concentration, but most of all in order to ensure that the product is genuine, that its origin can be traced and that this can be verified. The reasons for this are set out below:

| — | The duration for which the product is transported in the tank truck exposes the oil to temperatures above those of the storage areas. Obviously the longer the journey, the greater the exposure, and the problem is exacerbated by the mechanical disturbance caused by transport (vibrations). To limit the risk of deterioration of the oil's chemical and organoleptic characteristics, the product needs to be definitively packaged in smaller quantities through bottling prior to transport. |
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The duration for which the product is transported in the tank truck exposes the oil to temperatures above those of the storage areas. Obviously the longer the journey, the greater the exposure, and the problem is exacerbated by the mechanical disturbance caused by transport (vibrations). To limit the risk of deterioration of the oil's chemical and organoleptic characteristics, the product needs to be definitively packaged in smaller quantities through bottling prior to transport.

| — | Apulia has to cope with the problem of countless counterfeit products and instances of fraud, as brought to light in Italy's 2018 Report by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy and Tourism's Department of Central Inspectorate for Fraud Repression and Quality Protection of the Agri-Food Products and Foodstuffs (ICQRF). This report states that 50 % of such fraud concerns Apulian olive oil, which is not just famous for its excellent quality, but sadly also infamous on account of the all-too-frequent criminal investigations into counterfeit Apulian olive oil, (in 2012 alone, the Siena Guardia di Finanza financial police seized 7 722 tonnes of counterfeit Apulian olive oil in bulk). |
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Apulia has to cope with the problem of countless counterfeit products and instances of fraud, as brought to light in Italy's 2018 Report by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy and Tourism's Department of Central Inspectorate for Fraud Repression and Quality Protection of the Agri-Food Products and Foodstuffs (ICQRF). This report states that 50 % of such fraud concerns Apulian olive oil, which is not just famous for its excellent quality, but sadly also infamous on account of the all-too-frequent criminal investigations into counterfeit Apulian olive oil, (in 2012 alone, the Siena Guardia di Finanza financial police seized 7 722 tonnes of counterfeit Apulian olive oil in bulk).

‘Olio di Puglia’ Protected Geographical Indication extra virgin olive oil must be packaged for release for consumption in containers suitable for properly conserving the product and of a maximum capacity of 5 litres, that are sealed and labelled. For sales to the hotel, restaurant and catering industry, ‘Olio di Puglia’ extra virgin olive oil may be packaged in larger containers.

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

It is forbidden to add any qualifying terms to the ‘Olio di Puglia’ Protected Geographical Indication that is not expressly provided for in this product specification, including the following adjectives: ‘fine’ (fine), ‘scelto’ (choice), ‘selezionato’ (selected) or ‘superiore’ (superior). True and verifiable references describing the methods of individual producers or the production techniques are permitted, such as: ‘monovarietale’ (single variety), ‘raccolto a mano’ (hand-picked), etc., subject to the prior authorisation of the control body.

Names, business names, brand names and/or public labels etc. may be used truthfully, provided they have no laudatory purport and are not such as to mislead the consumer.

The use of names of holdings, farms, estates and their geographical location, as well as references to packaging on the olive-production holding or on premises of the association of olive-production holdings located in the production area is permitted only if at least 51 % or more of the product has been obtained predominantly from olives harvested in groves belonging to the holding in question.

The name of the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Puglia’ must appear on the label in distinct and indelible lettering so that it can be distinguished from all the other information provided.

The labelling must include the European PGI symbol and the logo of the PGI ‘Olio di Puglia’ shown below:

The label must specify the year the olives were harvested, in the form of the month and the year of the harvest with the month when the olives were pressed, and the batch number and packaging date. Furthermore, it must specify that the maximum shelf life is within 20 months of the date of packaging. Where applicable, it may be specified that the oil was produced organically.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The production area for ‘Olio di Puglia’ Protected Geographical Indication extra virgin olive oil comprises the entire administrative area of the Apulia Region.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The request for recognition is based on both the quality characteristics and the reputation of ‘Olio di Puglia’.

Apulia is the easternmost region of Italy and its southern part is set in the Ionian and Adriatic Seas; it has a markedly Mediterranean, semi-arid climate.

Rainfall amounts on average to 600 mm annually, precipitation is irregular and approximately two-thirds is concentrated over the winter period, with occasional light snowfall caused by bursts of cold air from the north or north-east.

Southern winds are the most frequent in Apulia; the Scirocco or Libeccio winds blow in summer with the arrival of very hot air from Africa that causes rapid and marked temperature spikes. Temperatures generally remain very mild for most of the year, particularly on the coastal plains.

The karstic nature of much of Apulia and the scant rainfall makes the region particularly lacking in surface watercourses. Apulia does not have mountain barriers. Half the territory of Apulia is on the plain, at heights of no more than 100 metres above sea level. The hilly strip of the territory reaches altitudes of just over 680 metres. The particular features of olive growing in Apulia can be attributed to these very specific geographical, orographic, soil and climatic conditions that have proved to be exceptionally propitious for growing olives. The specific climatic variations described above, observed in the geographical area where olives are typically grown, is the factor of primary environmental importance during the olives' oil accumulation and ripening phases, and indeed critical for bringing about certain quality parameters, such as the oil's phenol and volatile compound content. The heat and water stress that occurs during the olives' oil accumulation phase (from August to September) triggers the synthesis of polyphenols that build up within the olives. Polyphenols form as a result of intense stress, such as lack of water and/or excessive heat and are used by the trees to counteract the production of free radicals. Autumn rainfall (October-November), meanwhile, promotes the synthesis of volatile compounds. This particular weather cycle in Apulia, i.e. hot and dry during the oil accumulation phase and cooler and damper during the ripening phase, is of key importance for determining the olives' concentration of polyphenols and subsequently of volatile compounds. The polyphenols provide the bitter and pungent taste and give the product its health value, which is a key quality characteristic that marks out ‘Olio di Puglia’ PGI with regard to the quality standard of products of the same type from outside the production area. The latter, on the other hand, are responsible for the green aromas, described in point 3.2, that are the olfactory signature of ‘Olio di Puglia’ PGI.

The interplay of these qualities combined with the olives' genotypes produces a unique phenotype. There is a wealth of scientific literature, starting from the early 1960s, attesting to the interaction between genotype and environment on the product's quality characteristics.

The main cultivars used are the most ancient varieties grown in the region, which are widespread throughout Apulia, albeit with some areas that are more specialised. Such cultivars produce an oil with specific chemical and sensory properties that are clearly distinctive and constitute a profile that is easily recognised by consumers.

Precisely thanks to this variability in conditions described above, the extra-virgin olive oil produced in Apulia has wide variations in colour, fruitiness, bitterness and pungency that, combined with the biophenol content (> 250 mg/kg upon certification) produced by stresses in terms of heat and water, typify the link with the defined geographical area.

It is therefore this aspect that is common to all olive oils from Apulia, which have bitterness and pungency values ranging between 2 and 7; these values are what makes it possible to distinguish ‘Olio di Puglia’ extra-virgin olive oil from extra-virgin olive oils produced outside the production area that do not meet the same quality standard.

Today, the bitter and pungent taste conferred by polyphenol molecules is considered a positive attribute, and is a useful marker for assessing the oil's freshness. Such molecules tend to oxidise over time, losing their characteristic taste and health-giving properties. The specifications of ‘Olio di Puglia’ PGI, designed to also make a feature of the product's ‘freshness’, require the year when the olives were harvested to be marked on the label.

The specific soil, climatic and geographical conditions also determine the oil's composition in terms of sterols, terpenes and volatile substances, particularly rich in hexanal, which gives the oils the scent of cut grass.

Farming techniques help to fix and develop such specificities, particularly during harvest and when managing irrigation.

The olives are usually harvested according to degree of pigmentation, which must be between 2 (more than 50 % of the epicarp is pigmented) and 5 (100 % of the mesocarp is pigmented), so before the polyphenol content drops significantly. Irrigation is mainly managed using dry farming techniques, and where irrigation is practised it is generally kept in deficit so as to preserve both the polyphenol and the volatile compound contents, thus fixing the green aromas that typify this oil. In any event, it should be pointed out that with the particular succession over time of climatic conditions in Apulia during the ripening of the olives, there is an interplay between the two farming techniques that determines first the accumulation of polyphenols and subsequently of volatile compounds, such that they comply with the values for the characteristics laid down in the current specifications. Lastly, it is the interplay of these farming and climatic factors, combined with the olives' genotypes that produces a unique phenotype.

How the olives are pressed also contributes to the uniqueness of ‘Olio di Puglia’. The region of Apulia actually counts over a thousand olive presses that are technologically well equipped and manned by staff who have access to appropriate and ongoing technical training, such as to ensure the best possible oil quality and the greatest possible expression of the oil's signature characteristics; it is the presence of polyphenol molecules and volatile compounds that produce the characteristics described in point 3.2.

The first evidence of olive cultivation discovered in Apulia dates back to the Neolithic period (5000 B.C.). Evidence of the trade in olive oil produced in Apulia, which bears witness to the product's quality, can be found in historical records dating from 1792 and throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In more recent times, various invoices dating from the 1950s and 1960s through to the 1980s and to the end of the twentieth century, as well as commercial accounts referring to ‘Olio di Puglia’, attest to the oil's value and reputation.

Furthermore, there is ample evidence of the historic presence of trade in this product referred to in Italian as ‘Olio di Puglia’. Numerous public events, such as competitions, tastings, wine and food events, the establishment of olive oil routes, organised both at national and regional level, explicitly refer to ‘Olio di Puglia’. These include:

| — | The ‘Guide to extra virgin olive oil from Apulia’ that evokes the love story between Apulian cuisine and the olive oil from Apulia as the region's flagship food product. The publication testifies to the continued improvement in the quality of Apulian olive oil, and awards the accolade of ‘Premio Extra Top’ [Extra Top Prize] to the best Apulian oils. |
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The ‘Guide to extra virgin olive oil from Apulia’ that evokes the love story between Apulian cuisine and the olive oil from Apulia as the region's flagship food product. The publication testifies to the continued improvement in the quality of Apulian olive oil, and awards the accolade of ‘Premio Extra Top’ [Extra Top Prize] to the best Apulian oils.

| — | The 2018 Gambero Rosso Guide which, when awarding the ‘Tre Foglie’ prize, selected 17 olive oil producing companies from Apulia. |
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The 2018 Gambero Rosso Guide which, when awarding the ‘Tre Foglie’ prize, selected 17 olive oil producing companies from Apulia.

| — | The ‘Oro di Puglia’ - Apulia Gold Competition established in 2009, which is now celebrating its tenth anniversary with the participation of numerous firms that produce the best extra-virgin olive oils of Apulia. |
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The ‘Oro di Puglia’ - Apulia Gold Competition established in 2009, which is now celebrating its tenth anniversary with the participation of numerous firms that produce the best extra-virgin olive oils of Apulia.

| — | Furthermore, olive oil from Apulia features in major Fairs in Italy, such as Turin's Gourmet Food Festival and Verona's SOL and in International Fairs such as Fancy Food and New York's NYIOOC [New York International Olive Oil Competition]. |
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Furthermore, olive oil from Apulia features in major Fairs in Italy, such as Turin's Gourmet Food Festival and Verona's SOL and in International Fairs such as Fancy Food and New York's NYIOOC [New York International Olive Oil Competition].

| — | Lastly, countless initiatives, events and meetings are held locally (December 2013 SensAzioni del Sud in Conversano; November 2014 Pane e Olio [Bread and Olive oil] in Cassano delle Murge (Province of Bari); June 2017 Archeolio ciclotur [Archeolio cycle tour] in Avetrana (Province of Taranto); November 2017 Il Filo d'Olio [The Olive Oil Trail] in Ostuni (Province of Brindisi); May 2018 Puglia e Olio legame indissolubile... [Apulia and Olive Oil — an indissoluble bond] in Acaya (Province of Lecce); Olio di Puglia dialoghi fluidi [Fluid dialogues around Apuglia olive oil] Ostuni (BR)). These attest to the prestigious reputation of the product ‘Olio di Puglia’, which provides evidence not just of the intrinsic quality of one particular oil, but also of its ability to represent an entire geographical area, Apulia, with its history, tradition, landscape and culture. |
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Lastly, countless initiatives, events and meetings are held locally (December 2013 SensAzioni del Sud in Conversano; November 2014 Pane e Olio [Bread and Olive oil] in Cassano delle Murge (Province of Bari); June 2017 Archeolio ciclotur [Archeolio cycle tour] in Avetrana (Province of Taranto); November 2017 Il Filo d'Olio [The Olive Oil Trail] in Ostuni (Province of Brindisi); May 2018 Puglia e Olio legame indissolubile... [Apulia and Olive Oil — an indissoluble bond] in Acaya (Province of Lecce); Olio di Puglia dialoghi fluidi [Fluid dialogues around Apuglia olive oil] Ostuni (BR)). These attest to the prestigious reputation of the product ‘Olio di Puglia’, which provides evidence not just of the intrinsic quality of one particular oil, but also of its ability to represent an entire geographical area, Apulia, with its history, tradition, landscape and culture.

Reference to publication of the specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

The full text of the product specification is available: http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335

or alternatively:

by going directly to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Qualità’ (at the top right of the screen), then on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP STG’ (on the left-hand side of the screen) and finally on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all'esame dell'UE’.

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(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

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