Judgment of the General Court (Ninth Chamber) of 8 June 2022 –Guangxi Xin Fu Yuan v Commission
(Case T‑144/20) (1)
(Dumping – Imports of ceramic tableware and kitchenware originating in China – Review investigation – Circumvention – Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 – Related companies – Procedural obligations – Article 5(10) and (11) of Regulation 2016/1036 – Articles 6.1, 6.2 and 12.1 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement – Rights of the defence – Equal treatment – Legitimate expectations – Manifest error of assessment)
1.      Common commercial policy – Protection against dumping – Circumvention – Opening of an investigation – Commission’s obligation to inform interested parties – Scope – Extension of the investigation to related companies not mentioned by the regulation initiating an investigation – Whether permissible – Infringement of the rights of defence and of the principles of non-discrimination and legitimate expectations – None
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2016/1036, Arts 5(10) and (11) and 13(3))
(see paras 55-60, 69-78, 81-92, 98-104, 111-129, 232-244, 247, 248, 251, 252)
2.      Common commercial policy – Protection against dumping – Circumvention – Determination of circumvention – Standard of proof – Proof of circumvention on the basis of a body of evidence – Whether permissible
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2016/1036, Arts 13(1) and 18(1), (4) and (6))
(see paras 145-165, 188, 201, 213-218)
3.      Common commercial policy – Protection against dumping – Circumvention – Extension of the application of anti-dumping measures – Obligation to register the imports concerned – Registration arrangements – Discretion of the Commission – Registration of imports limited to certain companies identified in the regulation initiating an investigation – Whether permissible
(European Parliament and Council Regulation 2016/1036, Art. 13(3))
(see paras 170-173)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders Guangxi Xin Fu Yuan Co. Ltd to pay the costs.
1 OJ C 161, 11.5.2020.