2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 1
This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents
►B COMMISSIONREGULATION(EC)No1695/2002
of27September2002
terminatingcertainsafeguardproceedings,andestablishingasystemofmonitoring,inrelationto
certainsteel productsandprovidingfortherefundofcertainduties
(OJ L 261, 28.9.2002, p. 124)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Commission Regulation (EC) No 184/2004 of 2 February 2004 L 29 3 3.2.2004
▼B
COMMISSIONREGULATION(EC)No1695/2002
of27September2002
terminating certain safeguard proceedings, and establishing a
system of monitoring, in relation to certain steel products and
providingfortherefundofcertain duties
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 of 22 December
1994 on common rulesfor importsand repealing Regulation (EC) No
518/94 (1), aslas t amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 2474/
2000 (2), and in particular Articles7 and 11 thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 519/94 of 7 March 1994
on common rulesfor importsfrom certain third countriesand repealingRegulations(EEC) No 1765/82, (EEC) No 1766/82 and (EEC) 3420/83 (
3), aslas t amended by Regulation (EC) No 1138/98 (4), and in parti-
cular Articles6 and 9 thereof,
After consultations within the Advisory Committee established under
Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 and of Regulation (EC) No
519/94 respectively,
Whereas:
PROCEDURE
(1)On 6 March 2002, certain Member States(‘the Member States
concerned’) informed the Commission that trends in importsappeared to call for safeguard measures, submitted informationcontaining the evidence available asdetermined on the bas isofArticle 10 of Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 and Article 8 of
Regulation (EC) No 519/94, and requested the Commission to
impose provisional safeguard measures and to open a safeguardinvestigation.
(2)The Member Statesconcerned claimed that there had been
recent substantial increases in imports of certain steel products
and that the closure of the US market implied by US tradedefence measures not only substantially denied the Communityproducers an important outlet for their exports, but also createdthe conditions for a huge diversion of steel trade from the US tothe European Community (‘the Community’). They claimed that
steel destined for the US would be re-directed to the Commu-
nity. This could lead to a dramatic increase in the existing highlevel of imports at low prices, exacerbating the already seriousdisruption on the Community steel market due to previousincreased imports which threatened serious injury to the
Community producers.
(3)The Member Statesconcerned advis ed that the Community
producershad s ubmitted relevant information and urged theadoption of Community safeguard measures as a matter ofurgency because any delay in their adoption would cause
damage which it would be difficult to repair.
(4)The Commission informed all Member States of the alleged
situation and consulted with them on the terms and conditionsof imports, import trends and the serious injury or threat thereof
to each of the sectors concerned, and the various aspects of the
economic and commercial situation with regard to the Commu-nity productsin ques tion.2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 2
(1) OJ L 349, 31.12.1994, p. 53.
(2) OJ L 286, 11.11.2000, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 67, 10.3.1994, p. 89.
(4) OJ L 159, 3.6.1998, p. 1.
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(5)On 28 March 2002, the Commission initiated an investigation
relating to serious injury or threat thereof to the Community
producersof productslike or directly competing with certainimported steel products. The 21 steel products covered by theinvestigation are (1) non alloy hot rolled coils, (2) non alloyhot rolled sheets and plates, (3) non alloy hot rolled narrow strip,(4) alloy hot rolled flat products, (5) cold rolled sheets, (6) elec-
trical sheets (other than GOES), (7) metallic coated sheets, (8)
organic coated sheets, (9) tin mill products, (10) quarto plates,(11) wide flats, (12) non alloy merchant bars and light sections,(13) alloy merchant bars and light sections, (14) rebars, (15)stainless bars and light shapes, (16) stainless wire rod, (17) stain-
less steel wire, (18) fittings (< 609,6 mm), (19) flanges (other
than of stainless steel), (20) gas pipes and (21) hollow sections.
(6)On the same day, on the basis of information gathered and veri-fied prior to the initiation, provisional measures were imposedon 15 of the steel products covered by the investigation. These
are the product numbers1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
17, 18 and 19 referred to in recital (5) above.
(7)The Commission proceeded to a full investigation in relation toeach of the 21 products. The Commission officially advised and
the exporting producersand importersaswell astheir repres en-
tative associations known to be concerned, the representatives ofexporting countries and the Community producers. The Commis-sion sent questionnaires to all these parties and to those whomade themselves known within the time limits set in the Notice
of Initiation. Pursuant to Articles 5 of Council Regulation (EC)
No 519/94 and 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 theCommission also gave parties directly concerned the opportunityto make their viewsknown in writing and to reques t a hearing.
(8)Certain exporting producers, Community producers, importersand users, their respective associations, as well as third countrygovernments submitted comments in writing. All interestedparties who requested a hearing within the time limit set andwho indicated that they were likely to be affected by the resultof the proceeding and that there were particular reasons why
they should be heard, were granted such a hearing. The oral
and written comments submitted by the parties were consideredand taken into account in reaching the definitive findings. TheCommission sought and verified all the information which itdeemed necessary for the purpose of a definitive determination.Verification visits were carried out at the premises of 30
Community producers, 12 exporting producers and 2 importers.
(9)The results of the investigation in relation to product numbers 6,
7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20 and 21 are set out below. In rela-tion to product numbers9, 10 and 14, no final conclus ionshave,
as yet, been reached. The results of the investigation in relation
to the remaining products are set out in a separate regulationimposing definitive safeguard measures on those products.
RESULTSOFTHEINVESTIGATIONS
1. PRODUCT 6: Electrical Sheets(other than GOES)
1.1.ProductConcerned
(10)The product concerned is certain electrical sheets, other than
grain oriented electrical sheets (GOES), hereinafter referred toas ‘electrical sheets’. The product concerned is currently classi-fied under the following CN codes:
7209 16 10, 7209 17 10, 7209 18 10, 7209 26 10, 7209 27 10,
7209 28 10, 7211 23 91, 7225 19 90, 7226 19 30 and 7226 19 90.2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 3
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1.2.IncreaseInImports
(11)The Commission analysed imports of the product concerned over
the period 1997 to 2001, in absolute terms and relative toproduction destined for sales and to total Community productionincluding captive use (‘total production’). The following tableshows the development of imports in absolute terms and againstboth Community production destined for sales and total produc-
tion, for each of the years1997 to 2001.
CONSUMPTION
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Volume (in
tonnes) 1 221 672 1 256 812 1 177 443 1 372 316 1 294 506
IMPORT DATA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total imports
Volume (in
tonnes) 104 924 135 528 94 068 142 393 170 338
Rate of increase
(in %) 29,2 % – 30,6 % 51,4 % 19,6 %
Market share (in
%) 8,6 % 10,8 % 8,0 % 10,4 % 13,2 %
Ratio — imports
to total production
(%) 8,2 % 10,4 % 7,7 % 10,2 % 13,1 %
Ratio — imports
to production sold(%) 8,2 % 10,4 % 7,7 % 10,2 % 13,2 %
Unit prices(in
Euro/tonne) 448 444 436 446 458
1998/1997 1999/1998 2000/1999 2001/2000
Volume asmovingaverages(in tonnes ) 120 226 114 798 118 231 156 366
(12)Imports of the product concerned rose in absolute terms from1997 to 2001, except for 1999. The largest increase occurred
between 1999 and 2000, when importsincreas ed 51 % in only
one year. In addition, significant increases can be noted in rela-tion to both total production and production destined for sales.
1.3.SeriousInjuryAndCausation
(13)In respect of product no 6, the Commission further examined
whether the Community producers have suffered serious injurycaused by the increased imports.
Taking the period 1997-2001 asa whole, the following was
observed:
— Capacity remained stable at 1,55 million tonnes.
— Production remained stable at around 1,30 million tonnes.
— Salesin the Community fluctuated but were around 1,12
million tonnesin both 1997 and 2001.
— The unit price of Community sales increased from 480 to
513 (EUR/tonne).2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 4
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— Net profit on Community sales (%) increased from 1,7 % to
3,5 %.
— Employment remained stable at around 2 200.
— Productivity increased from 576 to 589 (t/employee).
— The Community producers' market share declined from 91 %
to 86,8 %.
In spite of the fall in market share, the other economic indicators
of the Community producers' situation do not demonstrate anegative evolution over the five year period asa whole. Further-
more, profitability hasincreas ed from 1,7 % to 3,5 %, and there
has also been an increase in prices. Therefore, the Commissionconcludesthat the conditionsfor the adoption of definitive s afe-guard measures are not met.
2. PRODUCT 7: Metallic Coated Sheets
2.1.ProductConcerned
(14)The product concerned iscertain metallic coated s heetsof iron,
alloy, or non-alloy steel (hereinafter referred to as ‘metalliccoated sheets’). The product concerned is currently classifiedunder CN codes7210 20 10, 7210 20 90, 7210 30 10,7210 30 90, 7210 41 10, 7210 41 90, 7210 49 10, 7210 49 90,
7210 61 10, 7210 61 90, 7210 69 10, 7210 69 90, 7210 90 38,
7210 90 90, 7212 20 11, 7212 20 19, 7212 20 90, 7212 30 11,7212 30 19, 7212 30 90, 7212 50 31, 7212 50 51, 7212 50 58,7212 50 75, 7212 50 91, 7212 50 93, 7212 50 97, 7212 50 99,7225 91 10, 7225 91 90, 7225 92 10, 7225 92 90, 7225 99 90,7226 93 20, 7226 93 80, 7226 94 20, 7226 94 80, 7226 99 80.
(15)Metallic coated sheets are manufactured by cladding, coating orplating cold-rolled sheets.
2.2.IncreaseInImports
(16)The Commission analysed imports of the product concerned over
the period 1997 to 2001, in absolute terms and relative toproduction destined for sales and to total Community productionincluding captive use (‘total production’). The following table
shows the development of imports in absolute terms and against
both Community production destined for sales and total produc-tion, for each of the years1997 to 2001.
COMSUMPTION
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Volume (in
tonnes) 17 185 728 19 120 025 20 210 092 22 996 423 22 276 718
IMPORT DATA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total imports:
Volume (in tonnes) 572 836 1 624 588 1 314 020 2 106 199 1 264 606Rate of increase (in
%) 183,6 % – 19,1 % 60,3 % – 40,0 %
Market share (in
%) 3,3 % 8,5 % 6,5 % 9,2 % 5,7 %
Ratio between
importsand totalproduction (in %) 2,9 % 7,7 % 6,1 % 8,3 % 5,1 %2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 5
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1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Ratio between
importsandproduction sold (in
%) 3,2 % 8,5 % 6,7 % 9,2 % 5,6 %
Unit prices(in
Euro/tonne) 393 426 368 477 397
1998/1997 1999/1998 2000/1999 2001/2000
Volume asmovingaverages(in tonnes ) 1 098 712 1 469 304 1 710 110 1 685 403
(17)Importsof the product concerned ros e from 1,31m tonnesin1999 to 2,11m tonnesin 2000, before falling back to 1,26mtonnesin 2001. In particular, importsfell in abs olute termsby40 % between 2000 and 2001. Between 1999 and 2001, imports
as a percentage of Community production destined for sales fell
from 6,7 % to 5,6 %. The reduction wasparticularly markedbetween 2000 and 2001, when it fell by 39,1 %.
(18)In light of the fall in importsbetween 1999 and 2001, both inabsolute terms and as a percentage of Community production, itcannot be established that there is a sudden, sharp and significant
increase in imports in the recent past. Therefore, the Commis-
sion concludes that the conditions for the adoption of definitivesafeguard measures are not met.
3. PRODUCT 8: Organic Coated Sheets
3.1.ProductConcerned
(19)The product concerned iscertain organic coated s heetsof iron,
alloy, or non-alloy steel (hereinafter referred to as ‘organiccoated sheets’). The product concerned is currently classified
under CN codes7210 70 39, 7210 70 90, 7212 40 91,
7212 40 93, 7212 40 98.
(20)Organic coated sheets are manufactured by cladding, coating orplating cold-rolled sheets.
3.2.IncreaseInImports
(21)The Commission analysed imports of the product concerned over
the period 1997 to 2001, in absolute terms and relative toproduction destined for sales and to total Community productionincluding captive use (‘total production’). The following tableshows the development of imports in absolute terms and againstboth Community production destined for sales and total produc-
tion, for each of the years1997 to 2001.
CONSUMPTION
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Volume (in
tonnes) 3 257 890 3 518 360 3 591 886 4 087 539 3 769 1932002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 6
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IMPORT DATA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total imports:
Volume (in
tonnes) 39 270 195 410 218 396 288 946 250 859
Rate of increase
(in %) 397,6 % 11,8 % 32,3 % – 13,2 %
Market share (in
%) 1,2 % 5,6 % 6,1 % 7,1 % 6,7 %
Ratio between
importsand totalproduction (in %) 0,9 % 4,5 % 5,2 % 6,4 % 5,9 %
Ratio between
importsandproduction sold(in %) 1,1 % 5,2 % 5,9 % 6,8 % 6,4 %
Unit prices(in
Euro/tonne) 904 583 539 676 596
1998/1997 1999/1998 2000/1999 2001/2000
Volume asmovingaverages(in tonnes ) 117 340 206 903 253 671 269 903
(22)Importsof the product concerned ros e from 218 000 tonnesin1999 to 289 000 tonnesin 2000, before falling back to 251 000
tonnesin 2001, a fall of 13,2 %. Between 2000 and 2001, asa
percentage of Community production destined for sales, importsfell from 6,8 % to 6,4 %.
(23)In light of the fall in importsbetween 2000 and 2001, both inabsolute terms and as a percentage of Community production, itcannot be established that there is a sudden, sharp and significantincrease in imports in the recent past. Therefore, the Commis-sion concludes that the conditions for the adoption of definitivesafeguard measures are not met.
4. PRODUCT 11: Wide Flats
4.1.ProductConcerned
(24)The product concerned iscertain flat rolled productsof iron or
non-alloy steel, not clad, plated or coated:
— in coils, not further worked than hot-rolled,
— not in coils, rolled on four faces or in a closed box pass,
(hereinafter referred to as‘wide flats ’). The product concerned is
currently classified under CN codes 7208 51 10, 7208 52 10,7208 53 10, 7211 13 00.
Wide flats are manufactured by hot rolling semi-finished steel
products. One of their main uses is in the construction sector.2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 7
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4.2.IncreaseinImports
IMPORT DATA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total imports:
Volume (in tonnes) 112 233 134 410 127 041 108 076 169 200
Market share (in %) Not estab-
lished
Ratio between imports
and total production (in%)Not estab-
lished
Ratio between imports
and production sold (in
%)Not estab-
lished
(25)The data received from Community producers, exporters andimporterswasincomplete and unrepres entative and it wasnot
possible for the Commission to establish the relevant economicindicatorsfor the whole Community market. Under thes ecircumstances, the Commission considers that it does not havesufficient data in order to assess whether measures could bejustified because of the possible impact of the increase in
imports. Therefore, the Commission concludes that the condi-
tions for the adoption of definitive safeguard measures are notmet.
5. PRODUCT 12: Non Alloy Merchant Barsand Light Sections
5.1.ProductConcerned
(26)The product concerned iscertain non-alloy merchant barsand
light sections of iron or non-alloy steel (hereinafter referred toas ‘non alloy merchant bars and light sections’). The product
concerned is currently classified under CN codes:
7214 30 00, 7214 91 10, 7214 91 90, 7214 99 31, 7214 99 39,
7214 99 50, 7214 99 61, 7214 99 69, 7214 99 80, 7214 99 90,
7215 90 10, 7228 80 90, 7216 10 00, 7216 21 00, 7216 22 00,
7216 40 10, 7216 40 90, 7216 50 10, 7216 50 91, 7216 50 99,7216 99 10.
(27)Non alloy merchant barsand light s ectionsare not furtherworked than forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, andinclude those twisted after rolling.
5.2.IncreaseInImports
CONSUMPTION
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Volume (in
tonnes) 8 809 708 9 064 208 9 189 287 9 138 570 9 003 5312002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 8
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IMPORT DATA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total imports:
Volume (in
tonnes) 577 708 796 208 825 287 842 570 855 531
Rate of increase
(in %) 37,8 % 3,7 % 2,1 % 1,5 %
Market share (in
%) 6,6 % 8,8 % 9,0 % 9,2 % 9,5 %
Ratio between
importsand totalproduction 6,1 % 8,0 % 8,6 % 8,6 % 9,0 %
Ratio between
importsandproduction sold 7,0 % 9,6 % 9,9 % 10,2 % 10,5 %
Unit prices(in
Euro/tonne) 310 325 270 294 313
1998/1997 1999/1998 2000/1999 2001/2000
Volume asmovingaverages(in tonnes ) 686 958 810 748 833 929 849 051
(28)The Commission analysed imports of the product concerned overthe period 1997 to 2001, in absolute terms and relative to
production destined for sales and to total Community production
including captive use (‘total production’). The following tableshows the development of imports in absolute terms and againstboth Community production destined for sales and total produc-tion, for each of the years1997 to 2001.
(29)Importsof the product concerned ros e from 825 000 tonnesin1999 to 856 000 tonnesin 2001, an increas e of 3,6 %. Between1999 and 2001, importsaspercentage of total production ros efrom 8,6 % to 9 %, whilst imports as a percentage of productiondestined for sales increased form 9,9 % to 10,5 %
(30)Although there was an increase in imports, both in absolutetermsand asa percentage of Community production between1999 and 2001, the major increase occurred in 1998, and itcannot be established that there is a sudden, sharp and significantincrease in imports in the recent past. Therefore, the Commis-sion concludes that the conditions for the adoption of definitive
safeguard measures are not met.
6. PRODUCT 13 — Alloy Merchant BarsAnd Light Shapes
6.1.ProductConcerned
(31)The product concerned iscertain alloy merchant barsand light
shapes (hereinafter referred to as ‘alloy merchant bars’). Theproduct concerned is currently classified under the following
CN codes:
7228 20 11, 7228 20 19, 7228 20 30, 7228 30 41, 7228 30 49,
7228 30 61, 7228 30 69, 7228 30 70, 7228 30 89, 7228 60 10,
7228 70 10, 7228 70 31, 7228 80 10.
(32)Alloy merchant barsare manufactured in a continuoscas tingprocess and are used as a pre-material for manufacturing a widerange of other steel products, as well as being sold as a finishedproduct in their own right.2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 9
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6.2.IncreaseInImports
(33)The Commission analysed imports of the product concerned over
the period 1997 to 2001, in absolute terms and relative toproduction destined for sales and to total Community productionincluding captive use (‘total production’). The following tableshows the development of imports in absolute terms and against
both Community production destined for sales and total produc-
tion, for each of the years1997 to 2001.
CONSUMPTION
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Volume (in
tonnes) 2 169 589 2 260 969 2 032 072 2 335 440 2 227 766
IMPORT DATA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total imports:
Volume (in
tonnes) 120 459 180 099 168 783 195 334 237 687
Rate of increase
(in %) 49,5 % – 6,3 % 15,7 % 21,7 %
Market share (in
%) 5,6 % 8,0 % 8,3 % 8,4 % 10,7 %
Ratio between
importsand totalproduction 4,5 % 6,6 % 6,7 % 7,0 % 9,1 %
Ratio between
importsand
production sold 5,9 % 8,7 % 9,1 % 9,1 % 11,9 %
Unit prices(in
Euro/tonne) 470 483 438 436 429
1998/1997 1999/1998 2000/1999 2001/2000
Volume asmovingaverages(in tonnes ) 150 279 174 441 182 059 216 511
(34)Imports of the product concerned rose in absolute terms from
1997 to 2001, with the first increase of 60 000 tonnes taking
place between 1997 and 1998, and a further increase of 60 000tonnes between 1998 and 2001. Likewise, significant increasescan be observed in relation to the total production and in relationto production sold.
6.3.SeriousInjuryAndCausation
(35)In respect of product no 13, the Commission also examined
whether the Community producers have suffered serious injurycaused by the increased imports.
Taking the period 1997-2001 asa whole, the following was
observed:
— Total production remained stable at around 2,6m tonnes.
— Sales in the Community also remained relatively stable at
around 2,0m tonnes.
— The price of Community sales increased slightly between
1997 and 1998, but then fell in 1999. Pricesrecovered to2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 10
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their 1997 level in 2001, having increased by 7 % between
2000 and 2001.
— Profitability decreased from 4,1 % to 2,8 %, but increased
from 2,2 % to 2,8 % between 2000 and 2001.
— Productivity increased from 402 to 465 (t/employee).— The Community producers' market share declined from
94,4 % to 89,3 %.
(36)The Commission notes that although profitability fell from 4,1 %to 2,8 %, it increased from 2,2 % to 2,8 % between 2000 and
2001. A number of indicatorsincluding price and profitability
show a positive trend between 1999 and 2001, when the largestincrease in imports occurred. Therefore, the Commissionconcludesthat the conditionsfor the adoption of definitive s afe-guard measures are not met.
7. PRODUCT 15: Stainless Bars and Light Shapes
7.1.ProductConcerned
(37)The product concerned is certain stainless bars and light shapes
of iron, alloy, or non-alloy steel (hereinafter referred to as ‘stain-less bars and light shapes’). The product concerned is currentlyclassified under CN codes:
7222 11 11, 7222 11 19, 7222 11 21, 7222 11 29, 7222 11 91,
7222 11 99, 7222 19 10, 7222 19 90, 7222 20 11, 7222 20 19,7222 20 21, 7222 20 29, 7222 20 31, 7222 20 39, 7222 20 81,7222 20 89, 7222 30 10, 7222 30 51, 7222 30 91, 7222 30 98,
7222 40 10, 7222 40 30, 7222 40 91, 7222 40 93, 7222 40 99,
and comprises bars and rods, not further worked than hot-rolled,
hot-drawn or extruded, or not further worked than cold-formedor cold-finished
7.2.IncreaseInImports
(38)The Commission analysed imports of the product concerned over
the period 1997 to 2001, in absolute terms and relative toproduction destined for sales and to total Community productionincluding captive use (‘total production’). The following tableshows the development of imports in absolute terms and against
both Community production destined for sales and total produc-
tion, for each of the years1997 to 2001.
CONSUMPTION
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Volume (in
tonnes) 413 326 464 521 423 861 480 349 505 715
IMPORT DATA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total imports:
Volume (in
tonnes) 64 211 70 602 62 184 72 084 70 375
Rate of increase
(in %) 10,0 % – 11,9 % 15,9 % – 2,4 %
Market share (in
%) 15,5 % 15,2 % 14,7 % 15,0 % 13,9 %
Ratio between
importsand totalproduction (in %) 15,5 % 15,3 % 14,8 % 14,7 % 13,8 %2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 11
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1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Ratio between
importsandproduction sold
(in %) 15,6 % 15,4 % 14,8 % 15,0 % 13,9 %
Unit prices(in
Euro/tonne) 2 193 2 211 2 195 2 079 2 518
1998/1997 1999/1998 2000/1999 2001/2000
Volume asmovingaverages(in tonnes ) 67 407 66 393 67 134 71 230
(39)Importsof the product concerned ros e from 62 000 tonnesin1999 to 72 000 tonnesin 2000, before falling back to 70 000tonnesin 2001. In particular, importsfell 2,4 % between 2000and 2001, to slightly below their 1998 level. Between 1999 and
2001, importsasa percentage of Community production des tined
for sales fell from 14,8 % to 13,9 %.
(40)In light of the fall in importsbetween 1999 and 2001, both inabsolute terms and as a percentage of Community production, itcannot be established that there is a sudden, sharp and significantincrease in imports in the recent past. Therefore, the Commis-
sion concludes that the conditions for the adoption of definitive
safeguard measures are not met.
8. PRODUCT 16: Stainless Wire Rod
8.1.ProductConcerned
(41)The product concerned is certain stainless wire rod (hereinafter
referred to as ‘stainless wire rod’). The product concerned iscurrently classified under CN codes:
7221 00 10, 7221 00 90.
(42)Stainless wire rods are manufactured by hot rolling wound coils
of stainless steel.
8.2.IncreaseInImports
CONSUMPTION
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Volume (in
tonnes) 211 772 213 994 195 349 264 768 227 648
IMPORT DATA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total imports:
Volume (in
tonnes) 9 909 26 151 16 218 19 440 16 800
Rate of increase
(in %) 163,9 % – 38,0 % 19,9 % – 13,6 %
Market share (in
%) 4,7 % 12,2 % 8,3 % 7,3 % 7,4 %2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 12
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1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Ratio between
importsand totalproduction (in %) 2,9 % 8,4 % 4,9 % 4,7 % 4,6 %
Ratio between
importsandproduction sold(in %) 3,8 % 10,7 % 6,4 % 5,9 % 5,8 %
Unit prices(in
Euro/tonne-Euro-
stat) 1 976 1 636 1 498 2 080 1 992
1998/1997 1999/1998 2000/1999 2001/2000
Volume asmovingaverages(in tonnes ) 18 030 21 185 17 829 18 120
(43)The Commission analysed imports of the product concerned overthe period 1997 to 2001, in absolute terms and relative to
production destined for sales and to total Community production
including captive use (‘total production’). The following tableshows the development of imports in absolute terms and againstboth Community production destined for sales and total Commu-nity production, for each of the years1997 to 2001.
(44)Importsof the product concerned ros e from 16 200 tonnesin1999 to 19,400 tonnesin 2000, before falling back to 16 800
tonnesin 2001, a fall of 13,6 %. Between 1999 and 2001, asa
percentage of Community production destined for sales, importsfell from 6,4 % to 5,8 %.
(45)In light of the fall in importsbetween 2000 and 2001, both inabsolute terms and as a percentage of Community production, itcannot be established that there is a sudden, sharp and significant
increase in imports in the recent past. Therefore, the Commis-
sion concludes that the conditions for the adoption of definitivesafeguard measures are not met.
9. PRODUCT 17: Stainless Steel Wire
9.1.ProductConcerned
(46)The product concerned is certain stainless steel wire (hereinafter
referred to as ‘stainless steel wire’). The product concerned is
currently classified under CN codes:
7223 00 11, 7223 00 91, 7223 00 19, 7223 00 99.
(47)It is manufactured by drawing stainless steel wire rod and it has
numerous uses such as in the engineering and automobile
sectors.
9.2.IncreaseInImports
(48)The Commission analysed imports of the product concerned over
the period 1997 to 2001, in absolute terms and relative toproduction destined for sales and to total Community productionincluding captive use (‘total production’). The following table
shows the development of imports in absolute terms and against
both Community production destined for sales and total produc-tion, for each of the years1997 to 2001.2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 13
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CONSUMPTION
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Volume (in
tonnes) 113 340 123 363 119 494 123 375 118 145
IMPORT DATA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total imports:
Volume (in
tonnes) 28 112 36 745 32 961 34 348 32 865
Rate of increase
(in %) 30,7 % – 10,3 % 4,2 % – 4,3 %
Market share (in
%) 24,8 % 29,8 % 27,6 % 27,8 % 27,8 %
Ratio between
importsand totalproduction (in %) 28,8 % 36,4 % 33,6 % 32,5 % 32,8 %
Ratio between
importsandproduction sold
(in %) 29,3 % 37,1 % 34,2 % 33,2 % 33,8 %
Unit prices(in
Euro/tonne-Euro-stat) 3 244 3 046 2 943 3 602 3 853
1998/1997 1999/1998 2000/1999 2001/2000
Volume asmovingaverages(in tonnes ) 32 429 34 853 33 655 33 607
(49)Importsof the product concerned ros e from 33 000 tonnesin
1999 to 34 000 tonnesin 2000, before falling back to 33 000
tonnesin 2001, a fall of 4,3 %. Between 1999 and 2001, asapercentage of Community production destined for sales, importsfell from 34,2 % to 33,8 %.
(50)In light of the fall in importsbetween 2000 and 2001, both inabsolute terms and as a percentage of Community production, itcannot be established that there is a sudden, sharp and significant
increase in imports in the recent past. Therefore, the Commis-
sion concludes that the conditions for the adoption of definitivesafeguard measures are not met.
10. PRODUCT 20: GasPipes
10.1ProductConcerned
(51)The product concerned iscertain gaspipesof iron, alloy, or non-
alloy steel (hereinafter referred to as ‘gas pipes’). The product
concerned is currently classified under CN codes:
7306 30 51, 7306 30 59, 7306 30 71, 7306 30 78.
(52)It is manufactured from hot rolled coils and comprises tubes,
pipesand hollow profiles , threaded or threadable tubes(gaspipe), plated or coated with zinc.2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 14
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10.2.IncreaseInImports
CONSUMPTION
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Volume (in
tonnes) 957 845 931 345 926 525 937 273 824 390
IMPORT DATA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total imports:
Volume (in
tonnes) 334 348 383 070 325 276 390 011 337 572
Rate of increase
(in %) 14,6 % – 15,1 % 19,9 % – 13,4 %
Market share (in
%) 34,9 % 41,1 % 35,1 % 41,6 % 40,9 %
Ratio between
importsand totalproduction (in %) 47,4 % 61,1 % 49,0 % 63,3 % 60,6 %
Ratio between
importsand
production sold
(in %) 47,5 % 61,2 % 49,1 % 63,6 % 61,2 %
Unit prices(in
Euro/tonne) 373 402 349 405 350
1998/1997 1999/1998 2000/1999 2001/2000
Volume asmovingaverages(in tonnes ) 358 709 354 173 357 644 363 792
(53)The Commission analysed imports of the product concerned overthe period 1997 to 2001, in absolute terms and relative toproduction destined for sales and to total Community productionincluding captive use (‘total production’). The following tableshows the development of imports in absolute terms and against
both Community production destined for sales and total produc-
tion, for each of the years1997 to 2001.
(54)Importsof the product concerned ros e from 325 000 tonnesin1999 to 390 000 tonnesin 2000, before falling back to 338 000tonnesin 2001, a fall of 13,4 %. Between 2000 and 2001, asapercentage of Community production destined for sales, imports
fell from 63,6 % to 61,2 %.
(55)In light of the fall in importsbetween 2000 and 2001, both in
absolute terms and as a percentage of Community production, itcannot be established that there is a sudden, sharp and significantincrease in imports in the recent past. Therefore, the Commis-sion concludes that the conditions for the adoption of definitivesafeguard measures are not met.2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 15
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11. PRODUCT 21: Hollow Sections
11.1.ProductConcerned
(56)The product concerned iscertain hollow s ectionsof iron, alloy,
or non-alloy steel (hereinafter referred to as ‘hollow sections’).The product concerned is currently classified under CN codes:
7306 60 31, 7306 60 39.
(57)It consists of line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines,
welded, of non-circular cross-section of rectangular (includingsquare) cross-section, with a wall thickness not exceeding 2 mm,or other.
11.2.IncreaseInImports
CONSUMPTION
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Volume (in
tonnes) 2 173 369 2 181 949 2 385 453 2 360 496 2 412 555
IMPORT DATA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total imports:
Volume (in
tonnes) 294 726 363 724 406 554 508 738 435 500
Rate of increase
(in %) 23,4 % 11,8 % 25,1 % – 14,4 %
Market share (in
%) 13,6 % 16,7 % 17,0 % 21,6 % 18,1 %
Ratio between
importsand total
production (in %) 13,8 % 17,5 % 17,7 % 22,9 % 19,4 %
Ratio between
importsandproduction sold(in %) 14,0 % 17,8 % 18,2 % 24,1 % 20,2 %
Unit prices(in
Euro/tonne) 410 414 368 367 308
1998/1997 1999/1998 2000/1999 2001/2000
Volume asmoving
averages(in tonnes ) 329 225 385 139 457 646 472 119
(58)The Commission analysed imports of the product concerned overthe period 1997 to 2001, in absolute terms and relative toproduction destined for sales and to total Community productionincluding captive use (‘total production’). The following table
shows the development of imports in absolute terms and against
both Community production destined for sales and total produc-tion, for each of the years1997 to 2001.
(59)Importsof the product concerned ros e in from 407 000 tonnesin1999 to 509 000 tonnesin 2000, before falling back to 436 000tonnesin 2001, a fall of 14,4 %. Between 2000 and 2001, asapercentage of Community production destined for sales, importsfell from 24,1 % to 20,2 %.2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 16
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(60)In light of the fall in importsbetween 2000 and 2001, both in
absolute terms and as a percentage of Community production, it
cannot be established that there is a sudden, sharp and significantincrease in imports in the recent past. Therefore, the Commis-sion concludes that the conditions for the adoption of definitivesafeguard measures are not met.
FINALCONSIDERATIONS
(61)The Commission considers that, for the reasons set out above,
the conditions for the imposition of definitive safeguard
measures for product numbers 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17,
20 and 21 are not met.
(62)The safeguard proceedings should therefore be terminated inrelation to product numbers6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20and 21. Any provisional measures in respect of product numbers6, 11, 12, 13 and 17 should not be confirmed (
1). Any additional
dutiespaid in relation to thos e productsin accordance with the
provisional measures should be refunded.
(63)The Commission has received new information for productgroups9,10 and 14, alleging that import trendsin 2002 would
appear to be much higher than for 2001. In addition, informationhasbeen provided that the Community producersmay besuffering financial losses and reduced sales in 2002. Therefore,the Commission considers it appropriate to continue the investi-
gation for these products, in conformity with Article 7 of
Council Regulation (EC) No 3285/94.
(64)Nevertheless, the Commission finds on the basis of the informa-tion it hasanalys ed aswell ason the bas isof the newinformation received for products9, 10 and 14 that the trend inimportsof products6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20and 21 threaten to cause injury to the Community producers, andthat it is in the interests of the Community to establish a system
of retrospective surveillance. Therefore, the Commission
concludesthat, in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation(EC) No 3285/94 and Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 519/94,a system of surveillance should be established in relation toimportsof thos e productswhich have been put into free circula-
tion in the Community, in order to rapidly provide information
on the development of imports. In order to ensure coherence,and given the long duration of the US trade defence instrumentsmeasures, the surveillance should be in place for the same dura-tion as the measures imposed by separate Regulation on sevensteel products. That surveillance should be administered in
accordance with the scheme laid down in Article 308d of
Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993laying down provisions for the implementation of Council regu-lation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Common CustomsCode (
2) (aslas t amended by Regulation (EC) No 444/2002),
and the Member Statess hould notify the information to the
Commission on a weekly basis,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
The safeguard proceedings with respect to the product numbers 6, 7, 8,
11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 20 and 21, more particularly described in Annex1, are terminated.2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 17
(1) OJ L 85, 28.3.2002, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1.
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Article 2
Any amounts paid in respect of additional duties under the provisional
safeguard measures imposed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 560/
2002 (1) in relation to product numbers6, 11, 12, 13 and 17, more
particularly described in Annex 1, shall be refunded as soon aspossible.
Article 4
The Member States and the Commission shall cooperate closely to
ensure compliance with this Regulation.
Article 5
ThisRegulation s hall enter into force on the day following itspublica-
tion in theOfficial JournaloftheEuropeanCommunities .
ThisRegulation s hall be binding in itsentirety and directly applicable
in all Member States.2002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 18
(1) OJ L 85 28.3.2002, p. 1.▼M1
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ANNEX1
Productsundersurveillance
Product
NoDesignation of the product CN Codes OriginOrder
number
6 Electrical Sheets(other
than Goes)7209 16 10, 7209 17 10, 7209 18 10,
7209 26 10, 7209 27 10, 7209 28 10,
7211 23 91, 7225 19 90, 7226 19 30,
7226 19 90All 65.2001
7 Metallic Coated Sheets7210 20 10, 7210 20 90, 7210 30 10,
7210 30 90, 7210 41 10, 7210 41 90,
7210 49 10, 7210 49 90, 7210 61 10,
7210 61 90, 7210 69 10, 7210 69 90,
7210 90 38, 7210 90 90, 7212 20 11,
7212 20 19, 7212 20 90, 7212 30 11,
7212 30 19, 7212 30 90, 7212 50 31,
7212 50 51, 7212 50 58, 7212 50 75,
7212 50 91, 7212 50 93, 7212 50 97,
7212 50 99, 7225 91 10, 7225 91 90,
7225 92 10, 7225 92 90, 7225 99 90,
7226 93 20, 7226 93 80, 7226 94 20,
7226 94 80, 7226 99 80All 65.2002
8 Organic Coated Sheet 7210 70 39, 7210 70 90, 7212 40 91,
7212 40 93, 7212 40 98All 65.2003
9 Tin Mill Products7209 18 99, 7210 11 10, 7210 11 90,
7210 12 11, 7210 12 19, 7210 12 90,
7210 50 10, 7210 50 90, 7210 70 31,
7210 90 33, 7211 23 51, 7212 10 10,
7212 10 91, 7212 10 93, 7212 10 99,
7212 40 10, 7212 40 95All 65.2004
10 Quarto Plates7208 51 30, 7208 51 50, 7208 51 91,
7208 51 99, 7208 52 91, 7208 90 10,
7208 90 90, 7210 90 31, 7225 40 20,
7225 40 50, 7225 99 10All 65.2005
11 Wide Flats7208 51 10, 7208 52 10, 7208 53 10,
7211 13 00All 65.2006
12 Non Alloy Merchant
Barsand LightsSections7214 30 00, 7214 91 10, 7214 91 90,
7214 99 31, 7214 99 39, 7214 99 50,
7214 99 61, 7214 99 69, 7214 99 80,
7214 99 90, 7215 90 10, 7228 80 90,
7216 10 00, 7216 21 00, 7216 22 00,
7216 40 10, 7216 40 90, 7216 50 10,
7216 50 91, 7216 50 99, 7216 99 10All 65.2007
13 Alloy Merchant Bars
and LightsSections7228 20 11, 7228 20 19, 7228 20 30,
7228 30 41, 7228 30 49, 7228 30 61,
7228 30 69, 7228 30 70, 7228 30 89,
7228 60 10, 7228 70 10, 7228 70 31,
7228 80 10All 65.2008
14 Rebars7214 20 00, 7214 99 10 All 65.2009
15 Stainless Bars and light
Shapes7222 11 11, 7222 11 19, 7222 11 21,
7222 11 29, 7222 11 91, 7222 11 99,
7222 19 10, 7222 19 90, 7222 20 11,
7222 20 19, 7222 20 21, 7222 20 29,
7222 20 31, 7222 20 39, 7222 20 81,
7222 20 89, 7222 30 10, 7222 30 51,
7222 30 91, 7222 30 98, 7222 40 10,
7222 40 30, 7222 40 91, 7222 40 93,
7222 40 99All 65.2010
16 Stainless Wire Rod 7221 00 10, 7221 00 90 All 65.2011
17 Stainless Steel Wire 7223 00 11, 7223 00 91, 7223 00 19,
7223 00 99All 65.20122002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 19
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Product
NoDesignation of the product CN Codes OriginOrder
number
20 GasPipes 7306 30 51, 7306 30 59, 7306 30 71,
7306 30 78All 65.2013
21 Hollow Sections7306 60 31, 7306 60 39 All 65.20142002R1695 — EN — 04.02.2004 — 001.001 — 20